Electric driving: everything you need to know
Does electric driving fit within your mobility policy? Electric driving goes beyond the choice of an electric car. As an employer you will also deal with an electric fleet, charging infrastructure, costs, fiscal rules and the travel behaviour of employees.
On this page you will find what electric driving involves, its benefits and key considerations, and how to integrate electric driving into your mobility policy.
Chantal van der Wees, Accountmanager
NS Zakelijk
Electric driving can help to reduce your mobility costs and make your fleet more sustainable.
Consider charging options, fiscal rules and the total cost of ownership.
Not every employee will benefit from an electric company car.
Electric driving often works best as part of a broader mobility policy.
What is electric driving?
Electric driving can be a good choice if you want to make your fleet more sustainable or reduce mobility costs. An electric car uses an electric motor powered by a battery.
There are several types of electric cars:
Fully electric cars (BEV) run only on electricity.
Plug-in hybrids (PHEV) alternate between electricity and petrol or diesel.
Mild hybrids (MHEV) mainly run on petrol or diesel and receive support from a small battery.
An electric car recovers energy while driving through regenerative braking. When the driver releases the accelerator pedal, some of the braking energy is used to recharge the battery.
Electric driving offers several benefits for organisations:
lower running costs per kilometre than a petrol or diesel car;
less maintenance and lower repair costs;
tax benefits, depending on current regulations;
lower CO2 emissions and a positive environmental impact;
a quiet and comfortable experience for employees.
Electric driving also requires proper preparation. Take into account:
a more limited range than a combustion-engine car;
charging times that are longer than refuelling;
sufficient charging options at home, at work or on the go;
a higher purchase price, often balanced by lower running costs.
For employers it is not only the purchase price that matters, but the total mobility costs. Consider charging costs, maintenance, lease costs and fiscal arrangements.
Electric driving is often cheaper than petrol or diesel, especially when employees do many business kilometres and can charge at home or at work. Public charging and fast charging are more expensive, yet overall running costs are frequently lower because electric cars require less maintenance.
Tip: Always compare the total costs for your organisation. Your lease provider can help with this.
The range of electric cars is growing rapidly. The number of charging points is increasing too. This makes it easier for employers to include electric driving in their mobility policy.
Legislation and regulations are changing as well. From 2027 you will pay a pseudo-final levy for lease cars with CO₂ emissions. Keep this in mind if you are considering an electric lease car or an electric fleet. By adapting your mobility policy in good time you will be well prepared for future changes.
Not always. Whether an electric lease car is suitable depends on your employees’ travel behaviour. Employees who do many business kilometres or regularly visit customers often benefit from an electric lease car. For employees who mainly travel by train or only occasionally have an off-site business appointment, another solution may be better.
Look not only at the car but at the whole journey. A combination of an electric lease car, train, shared mobility and a mobility budget often offers more flexibility. This way employees choose the mode of transport that best suits each journey, while you adapt your mobility policy to your organisation’s needs. Electric driving is often one part of a sustainable mobility policy.
Want to know more about flexible business travel?
Do you want to switch to an electric fleet? Our step-by-step plan helps you prepare the transition thoroughly. It explains what to consider, from choosing the right vehicles and charging facilities to costs and mobility policy.
Electric driving does not always mean using a personal car. With Hely you have access to an exclusive pool of shared electric cars and shared bikes for your organisation. This gives employees a sustainable alternative when they need a car or a bike.
Frequently asked questions about electric driving
Is driving electric still worthwhile?
Yes. Even with changing tax rules, driving electric remains attractive for many organisations because of lower running costs, less maintenance and a growing charging network.
What does 100 kilometres of electric driving cost?
Expect on average € 4 to € 7 per 100 kilometres if you charge at home or at work. Fast charging or public charging is more expensive, but you are usually better off than with petrol or diesel.
Is driving electric really cheaper than petrol?
That depends on the situation. For many organisations the total running costs of driving electric are lower because of lower energy costs, reduced maintenance and tax advantages.