Fleet Hub

Drive electric with Fleet

Welcome to the future of sustainable and efficient transport!

If you’re new to driving electric, we hope this guide will answer a lot of the questions you may have and excite you to join us on an electrifying journey!

What exactly is an EV? - An ‘Electric Vehicle’, on the outside, looks just like any other car, but on the inside, it’s a whole other world. Rather than running off of fuel, they are charged [like your phone], taking electricity from the grid. They then store the electricity in rechargeable batteries that power the motor, which turns the wheels. Because of this, electric cars accelerate faster than vehicles with traditional fuel engines, so they feel much lighter to drive.

How do I charge my EV? - Here are options and tips, designed to maximise your savings and mileage range!

EV charger options.

There are a number of ways to get your electric vehicle charged:

• Three-pin plug – A standard three-pin plug that you can connect to any 13-amp socket

• Socketed – A charge point where you can connect either a Type 1 or a Type 2 cable

• Tethered – A charge point with a cable attached with either a Type 1 or Type 2 connector

With charging, comes charging speeds. There are 3 in total:

• Slow – typically rated up to 3kW. Charging time: 8-10 hours

• Fast – typically rated at either 7kw or 22kW. Charging time: 3-4 hours

• Rapid – typically rated from 43kW [only compatible with EVs that have rapid charging capability]. Charging time: 30-60 minutes

What are the benefits of charging at home? - Many people purchase a charger to install at home so that they can have a full battery every morning. Opting to install a charging point is significantly cheaper than using a public charger in the long run. Especially if you either use at an off-peak time or choose to switch your electricity tariff to one that’s geared towards EV owners, as they usually offer cheaper rates. At Fleet, we offer the option of adding a charging point to your car when going through the ordering process. Not only does this mean that you can you split the cost over the course of your lease, but installation and delivery are included in the price.

Where else can I charge my EV? - There are now more EV charging points across the UK than there are petrol stations, so if you’re running low on your travels there are many more charging options, including supermarkets, GPs, restaurants, and workplaces. Most networks offer a mix of slow, fast, and rapid charging options. There are several different ways to access public charging points:

• “Plug & Play” – all you have to do is plug in

• App enabled – a mobile app gives you access via your smartphone

• RFID card – similar to Oyster, you swipe the card to start charging

• Contactless payment card – you tap it, just like you would in a shop

There are a number of websites that show all public charging points nationwide, they can even offer a map of where you can find them. It’s helpful to take a look so that when you’re planning your journey, whether it’s for work, to visit loved ones or you’re off on a staycation, you can see where would be best for you to stop and power-up. Charge up...to 80% - Did you know that your car battery’s first 20% and last 20% take the most energy to boost. By avoiding running your battery down past the last 20% or charging it beyond 80%, you will help keep running costs down. As well as the financial benefits, it also makes for faster charging and helps increase longevity. The only exceptions to this rule are cars with nickel metal hydride batteries, as these types can form a 'memory'. As such, they should be fully charged whenever possible.

Charge smarter! - One of the best ways to control your car’s charge is by using one of the many apps that are available for electric vehicles. Today’s batteries and systems are more sophisticated than simply pumping in power until it’s full. Using a compatible app to manage your charging is the smart way to keep your battery in the best condition. Even with energy costs increasing, an electric car is still cheaper to run than a petrol or diesel vehicle.

How far can you go on a charge? - An EV's range is dependent on battery size (kWh). The larger the battery, the further you can travel. But usually, an electric car’s range can be anything from 180 to 390 miles. Other than that, charging your car at a public station is very similar to plugging it in at home.

What kind of savings can I make? - One of the biggest benefits of going electric, that you notice right away, is the savings! The cost to charge your car is much lower than traditional fuels. When leasing an EV, you also get a reduced price in company car tax (BiK). On top of all of this, you won’t be impacted by the clean air zones that are popping up across the country. This is already in place in some of our major cities, such as London and Birmingham. This means that if your car is exceeding the emissions allowance that is implemented in that area, you may have to pay a fee. But if you’re fully electric, you can drive with peace of mind through cities without having to pay a fee.

How well do EVs perform? - Contrary to the cliché, electric cars are fundamentally superior to combustion vehicles in terms of power, torque and acceleration. On the whole, they handle better too, due to their low centre of gravity with their heavy batteries mounted in the chassis. We want our performance to nip away from the lights, safely overtake and enjoy a (responsible) brisk drive in the countryside. In all of these roles, the electric car is winning.

What about maintenance? - We call it hassle-free for a reason! A huge benefit to opting for an electric car…the maintenance. You will still have a routine MOT and servicing, but with an EV there are fewer mechanical parts, meaning they’re easier to maintain and upkeep costs are significantly lower. One thing that is still comparable between traditional and electric vehicles, is tyre wear. Tyres will need to be changed regularly. When you use NHS Fleet Solutions, not only does this mean a simpler lease but it’s also cheaper (thanks to the inclusion of routine servicing, breakdown, windscreen, and tyre cover in your monthly cost). You can drive away with peace of mind.

Will the environment also benefit? - Whereas traditional fuel-type vehicles release CO2 emissions and cause air pollution, choosing an EV reduces your carbon footprint and improves the air quality, making our towns and cities better places to live and work. In over a year, just one electric car on the road can save an average of 1.5 million grams of CO2. That’s the equivalent of four return flights from London to Barcelona. Zero emissions mean zero pollution!

Clean Air Zones...will I be affected? - To improve air quality, some local authorities in the UK are introducing or have already introduced clean air zones. A clean air zone is a location where people may have to pay a charge if their vehicle exceeds emission standards. This is being put in place to help improve our environment and make it a better place for us to live. The great news is, that by going full electric, you will avoid getting charged in clean air zones!

Special Offers - Fleet offers a range of exclusive deals on electric cars, to those within the NHS and public sector, who are on a permanent contract. You can lease a new electric car via NHS Fleet Solutions at a FANTASTIC price! We have a full range of EVs available on special offer - we continually shop the market for the best prices, so you don’t have to. Thanks to our partnerships you can add an electric charging point to your order and spread the cost of this over the duration of your lease (this must be selected at the ‘review order’ stage of the ordering process).

Benefits

• NO deposit. NO credit checks

• Monthly cost includes road tax, insurance, breakdown cover, routine servicing, windscreen and tyre cover

• Cheaper running costs

• Optional home charging point installation

• Benefit in Kind savings via Salary Sacrifice

• Exclusive access to special offers

• No congestion charges

• Income Tax and National Insurance savings via Salary Sacrifice

• High-performance driving

• More eco-friendly

• Pre-heating on most models for winter months

• Huge option of cars from leading manufacturers

Hassle-free… Just Drive!

So, if you feel it’s time to step up to sustainability and enjoy an electrifying journey, visit our special offers page and find your dream car: www.nhsfleetsolutions.co.uk/special-offers