On the road to a sustainable future, the focus is increasingly shifting to electromobility in vehicle fleets. With a share of 59 percent, according to the DAT Barometer 2024 they are strongly represented in German fleets, and their number has continued to rise in recent years. More and more companies are faced with the question: is it worth having an electric car in the fleet?
The decision for or against fleet electrification depends on various factors. In this article, we highlight important advantages and disadvantages that companies should consider when integrating electric vehicles on the road to a sustainable fleet .
Contents
- What are electric cars?
- Advantage 1: Electric cars create a greener future and strengthen the corporate image
- Advantage 2: An electric car pays off in company fleets thanks to tax incentives
- Advantage 3: Earn money with e-vehicles thanks to GHG quota
- Disadvantage 1: High acquisition costs affect the economic viability of electric cars
- Disadvantage 2: Limited ranges have an impact on efficiency
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Disadvantage 3: Fast charging costs often make an electric car no longer worthwhile
What are electric cars?
Electric cars are vehicles that are powered exclusively by an electric motor and draw their energy from a battery. Unlike conventional cars with combustion engines that run on fuels such as petrol or diesel, electric cars do not emit any direct CO₂ emissions, making them an environmentally friendly alternative for fleets. They are charged at a power source at home, at the company or at a public charging station.
Advantage 1: Electric cars create a greener future and strengthen the corporate image
Electric cars offer the opportunity to shape a more sustainable future. As they do not emit any harmful exhaust gases, they can significantly reduce a company’s CO2 emissions and improve its ecological footprint, which alone makes an electric car in the fleet worthwhile. In addition, the integration of e-vehicles in the fleet sends a clear signal for more sustainable and environmentally friendly more environmentally friendly corporate mobility. More and more companies are recognizing their responsibility and are taking measures to convert their fleet to electric mobility, possibly with their own charging infrastructure, or have already successfully started this process.
This environmentally conscious approach is not only good for the environment, but also has a positive effect on your corporate image. Customers, employees and business partners appreciate companies that make an active contribution to climate protection and are committed to sustainable solutions. The use of electric cars in your fleet makes a strong statement and shows that your company is setting a good example. By using electric cars, fleet managers are not only making a contribution to sustainability, but also demonstrating their foresight and willingness to innovate. An electric car is therefore definitely worthwhile for your corporate image.
Advantage 2: An electric car pays off in company fleets thanks to tax incentives
Tax incentives and subsidies are a major advantage of electric vehicles. From July 2024, companies will be able to claim the purchase costs of newly registered, all-electric and zero-emission vehicles against tax more quickly. A new special depreciation allowance allows investment costs to be written off over a period of six years, starting with a depreciation rate of 40% in the first year. This can further improve the company’s liquidity. This new regulation is limited until December 2028.
Using electric vehicles as pool vehicles in the fleet as part of corporate car sharing is a good way to increase the company’s profitability and therefore an important task in fleet management. Our research projects Shared eFleets and eMobility-Scout have shown that e-cars achieve excellent results, especially in sharing concepts. Compared to a personal company car, pool vehicles are shared by employees. Flexible use means that vehicles can be optimally utilized and unnecessary downtimes minimized. This reduces the number of vehicles and cuts costs . If you are planning to integrate pool vehicles or already have sharing vehicles in your fleet, an electric car is particularly worthwhile.
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Advantage 3: Earn money with e-vehicles thanks to GHG quota
One exciting way to maximize the cost-effectiveness of electric cars in the fleet is to trade in the so-called GHG quota. But what is actually behind this concept and how can you earn extra money through it?
The abbreviation GHG quota stands for greenhouse gas reduction quota, which was set by the German government in order to reduce environmentally harmful emissions in the transport sector and contribute to climate protection. Oil companies that sell fossil fuels such as petrol or diesel are obliged to offset their greenhouse gas emissions. To do this, they can purchase so-called emission certificates from companies that offer low-emission and emission-free fuels. Since 2022, private and commercial owners of fully electric vehicles have also been allowed to resell the CO₂ they save in the form of certificates.
You can apply for the GHG premium once per calendar year for each e-vehicle in your fleet and earnseveral hundred euros a year. This makes an e-car in your fleet particularly cost-effective. The application and resale of the certificates are handled by special service providers.
Disadvantage 1: High acquisition costs affect the economic efficiency of electric cars
Compared to conventional vehicles with a combustion engine, electric cars are often more expensive to buy for the first time. Although many manufacturers are responding to the abolition of the environmental bonus for e-cars with price reductions and discounts, electric vehicles are not usually ahead in the overall comparison, as a cost comparison by the ADAC shows. The higher purchase costs therefore put pressure on the economic efficiency of electric cars.
Even if operating costs can fall in the long term due to lower maintenance and energy costs, the high initial investment represents a hurdle that companies need to weigh up carefully In addition, the depreciation of electric vehicles is somewhat higher compared to vehicles with combustion engines. For companies with larger fleets in particular, this can increase the overall costs, which can represent a considerable financial burden. In this case, an electric car is often not worthwhile for the fleet. You can easily keep track of fleet costs in fleet management software.
Disadvantage 2: Limited ranges have an impact on efficiency
Another disadvantage of electric vehicles is that their range is often significantly shorter than that of combustion engines. Especially for companies whose fleets rely on long distances and high flexibility, this can significantly impair efficiency. The range of electric cars varies greatly. Factors such as model, temperature, load and driving behavior play a major role here. In winter or with intensive use, for example in delivery traffic, the actual range can be significantly lower than the manufacturer’s specifications. Fleet managers must plan carefully and expect additional charging breaks. This can lead to delays in operations.
In addition, a poorly developed charging infrastructure can lead to problems. In many regions, the availability of fast charging stations is still limited. Longer waiting times and additional detours must be planned for here. The lack of charging infrastructure can significantly restrict mobility, especially for business trips or supra-regional deliveries where time is of the essence. For fleets with specific needs in this area, e-cars are often not worthwhile. In companies that rely on long journeys and rapid operational readiness, the limited flexibility can have a massive impact on profitability.
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Disadvantage 3: Fast charging costs often make an electric car no longer worthwhile
Another financial disadvantage that is often overlooked is the high cost of fast charging. Charging at regular charging stations is usually comparatively cheap. This is where companies can save costs when using e-vehicles. Charging at public charging stations, on the other hand, is more expensive. If you compare the price of electricity here with the price of petrol, combustion engines are often cheaper.
Prices are often significantly higher at fast charging stations. For companies and industries that rely on short charging times, for example in logistics or field service, this can significantly increase operating costs. Particularly when fast charging stations are used regularly, the costs quickly add up and can mean that an electric car no longer pays off compared to a vehicle with a combustion engine.
It is important to consider the total cost of ownership (TCO). In fleet management, this refers to the Total cost of ownership associated with the ownership and use of vehicles You can also keep track of these costs in fleet management software. The TCO takes into account not only the acquisition costs, but also all expenses over the entire life cycle of a vehicle.
Conclusion: Is it worth having an electric car in your fleet?
The integration of e-vehicles in the fleet can bring many advantages. In particular, the reduction in CO₂ emissions has a positive effect on the company’s image and also offers tax advantages. In many cases, e-cars in the fleet can be worthwhile both ecologically and economically. The GHG quota also offers an additional opportunity to earn money with electric vehicles. This means that in some cases, an e-car is actually worthwhile for the fleet and is a good step towards the mobility of the future.
Nevertheless, the disadvantages should not be underestimated: The high acquisition costs, limited ranges and the often expensive fast charging costs can significantly affect the profitability of e-cars. Companies must carefully weigh up whether the energy savings and a more positive corporate image offset the higher acquisition costs and potential efficiency losses due to charging breaks and limited range.
The answer to the question “Is an electric car worth it?” depends on the specific requirements of the company. For companies that focus on sustainability and long-term savings, the use of electric vehicles can pay off. However, in areas where flexibility, range and immediate operational readiness are crucial, the potential disadvantages should be carefully examined .
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FAQ - Is an e-car worth it?
Yes, an electric car can make sense as a company car, as it offers tax advantages for companies and employees and strengthens the company’s sustainable image.
An electric car is particularly worthwhile if you have access to affordable charging options and can benefit from government subsidies and tax breaks. In addition, maintenance costs are lower due to the elimination of oil changes and fewer wearing parts. After around 4-7 years, the lower operating and maintenance costs offset the higher purchase costs.
The electricity costs for a 100 km journey with an electric car can vary greatly. This depends on current electricity prices and consumption. This depends on the model, the landing and the temperatures. On average, you can expect costs of between €6.40 and €11.60 per 100 km.
