Perceptions change and recently I discovered I am not overweight but a body image activist, so it is with electric vehicles which were seen as a bit niche, limited in range, and too expensive. But now we are all considering the environment, prices are coming down, the charging network is growing and there are some very good tax incentives.
The main considerations when buying an electric Van is the range and price and as some versions are close to 200 miles use in town is reasonable. My local dealer at Concept Vehicle leasing Neil Barnes told me that they install trackers in the existing van fleets to see how many miles they currently do to see if an electric vehicle is a workable option.
The other key point to consider is do you have a driveway or somewhere where you can charge it from, it is important for fleet and procurement managers to consider all of the EV charging incentives available to them and their employees. Capital expenditure on EV chargers and costs directly associated with their installation, currently qualify for 100% FYA, which is set to last until March 31, 2023.
The main benefit of buying an electric van will be the running costs – the e-NV200 from Nissan is likely to save owners a lot of money on short journeys with multiple stops. Nissan claims it could cost as little as two pence per mile to run. The range for the Nissan Van is only 187 miles in town ideal for local deliveries however longer trips would be a concern. Plus, do not forget to use overnight electric rates as they are usually one-third the price of daytime rates meaning a full charge will cost around £5.
So, let’s look at the tax savings and grants;
The total van cost for something like the Nissan NV200 is close to £25,000 it is possible to claim the recently introduced super deduction which means you can claim an additional 30% of the value against your profits so £25,00 would become £32,500 as a taxable profit deduction.
In addition, there is also no road tax to pay or London Congestion Charge, but this will change as they become more popular.
Finally, the charge point is subsidized by the government under the workplace charging scheme with subsidies of £350 per charge point.
So, in summary, it is a judgment call that needs to be made that makes both economic senses and reduces the impact made by a business on the environment.
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