Which eVehicle is suitable for my company?

In Germany, there are currently around one million electric vehicles on the roads, and the trend is rising: more than 312,000 fully electric cars or plug-in hybrids were registered in the first half of 2021 alone.

According to plans by the Federal Ministry for the Environment and Nature Conservation, there will be between seven and ten million electric vehicles on German roads by 2030. Companies with electric fleets of vehicles are increasingly playing a role in achieving these numbers.

The ongoing expansion of charging infrastructure and state eMobility funding are among the factors that make the electrification of company fleets particularly attractive. At the same time, companies benefit from a positive image as an innovative and sustainable employer.

But given the large range of electric models on the market, the choice is not always easy. We reveal what decision-makers should consider when choosing the right e-vehicle for their company.

Analysis of mobility needs

As a first step in the decision-making process, it is advisable to scrutinize the driving behavior and thus the specific mobility requirements at the company. The following points can be used as a guide for this review:

The purpose

The questions to ask here are the purpose for which and the frequency with which the vehicle is used.

• Company car: should the vehicle be made available to an employee for business (and possibly even private) trips?
• Pool vehicle: is it used by several people for various purposes?
• Utility vehicle: do materials, goods or tools need to be transported?

The area of application and range

The area of application should also be considered when choosing a suitable fleet of electric vehicles. Decision-makers should consider whether the vehicle will primarily be used in the city, in the countryside or on highways.

The range is also an important factor. What’s important here is how many kilometers the vehicle covers on average and how far it can go on one tank. In general, it is advisable to plan in a sufficient buffer for the range of the vehicle. A good guideline is to select the maximum range so that it is at least one-third greater than the usual distance between charges.

Before buying, you should also clarify whether enough charging facilities are available for the fleet of vehicles. In many cases, it is worth purchasing charging-infrastructure for the company’s premises.

Choosing the right electric vehicle

Once the mobility requirements have been clarified, the next step is to decide on a vehicle model.

Vehicle dimensions and technical specifications

Using a few select models, we have summarized various vehicle classes and their technical equipment.

• Small car

• Compact

• People carrier

• Utility vehicle

If the vehicle is used by a few people and no or few materials have to be transported, a small car or a compact is sufficient.

If several people need to be seated at the same time, it is best to go for a larger model. A medium-sized vehicle or a people carrier is recommended here.

If the vehicle is to be used for transporting materials, goods or tools, that increases the volume of loading space required. In this case, the type, quantity and weight of the goods determine which model is suitable.

Type of drive

Fully battery-powered or hybrid — a wide range of different types of e-cars are available on the market. They can be distinguished by the type of drive. Here is an overview of the most important types of electric drives:

• Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV)

Battery Electric Vehicles are referred to as “pure” electric cars. They are powered solely by an electric motor and do not require a gearbox. The energy for the motor is drawn from the battery, which is charged via the mains.

• Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV)

Such pure hybrid vehicles are fitted with both a combustion engine and an electric motor. Generally speaking, the electric motor in an HEV serves only to support the combustion engine. Driving using the electric motor alone is only possible over very short distances in a full hybrid. In contrast to the plug-in hybrid, the HEV doesn’t have an external charging point (e.g. a socket).

• Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)

Just like HEVs, plug-in hybrids also have an electric motor in addition to a conventional combustion engine. However, unlike pure hybrid models, PHEVs can be charged via plug system on the wall box.

• Range Extended Electric Vehicle (E-REV)

These electric vehicles are fitted with a range extender. This is a small combustion engine with a generator that supports the battery output. The range extender extends the range by up to 100 kilometers.

Regardless of which electric model is chosen, companies benefit from funding and tax benefits: if you rely on electric vehicles as company cars, the basis for assessing tax on the fleet of vehicles and the kilometer tax is lower in comparison to vehicles with combustion engines. Having fun driving and protecting the environment are included.