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Electric car and van advice for SMEs

Electric cars

  1. Electric and plug-in hybrid cars
  2. What’s the range of an electric vehicle?
  3. Why choose electric cars?
  4. Electric car costs

Companies can benefit from significant savings by making the switch to electric cars , from reduced fuel and maintenance costs to a range of tax and local incentives, including access to low emission zones and parking concessions. 

Electric cars also reduce carbon and other emissions, which contribute to poor air quality in towns and cities. 

Many businesses have already accessed the benefits of electric vehicles (EVs), with electric and plug-in hybrid cars becoming mainstream in the company car market. The uptake in electric vehicles is being driven by attractive savings, making the cars cost-effective for company car drivers and their employers. Take a look at our case studies for examples. 

Electric and plug-in hybrid cars

An ultra low emission vehicle (ULEV) includes any vehicle that emits less than 50g/km of carbon dioxide (CO2) at the tailpipe. They include: 

A hybrid electric vehicle has an internal combustion engine and a small battery, which is charged when the driver brakes, known as regenerative braking. The battery power either assists the engine or drives the wheels entirely for a very short distance (usually less than a mile). This reduces fuel consumption and emissions, particularly in stop-start driving conditions. 

What’s the range of an electric vehicle?

The range of an electric vehicle varies depending on the make, model and weight, such as passengers or cargo. Most battery electric cars have a real-world range of 220 miles on a full charge. However, some electric cars have a range of over 300 miles on a single charge. 

There are several things you can do to increase the range of your EV. Find out more on our page about EV batteries. 

Why choose electric cars?

Electric cars can be an excellent choice for businesses, both financially and environmentally. As well as lower fuel costs, there are various grants and tax incentives available, which can help make a stronger business case. 

We also have a series of introductory video guides to a range of electric vehicles as well as a video series on the benefits of EVs and what you should look out for.  

For larger fleets, we offer fleet reviews, which offer analysis of your fleet and provide whole life cost (WLC) analysis for suitable models and estimated savings. This can help you to reduce energy use and emissions. We work with public and private sector organisations.

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Last updated: 29 April 2025