Is an electric company car lease suitable for long distances?
Electric commercial vehicles are becoming increasingly popular in the business market. Yet one question keeps cropping up among many business owners: are they suitable if you drive long distances every day? That’s a valid question, especially if you’re considering leasing an electric commercial vehicle for work that involves covering a lot of kilometres.
In this article, we answer the most frequently asked questions about long-distance electric driving: from range and charging options to costs and suitable models. This will help you make an informed choice for your business.
What is an electric company car lease?
An electric commercial vehicle lease is a form of financing that allows you, as an entrepreneur or business, to use an electric van or minibus without having to buy it outright. You pay a fixed monthly lease instalment and drive an electric vehicle that suits your business needs, without any major upfront purchase costs.
With an operational lease, maintenance, insurance and road tax are often included in the monthly payment. This provides clarity and predictability in your running costs. A finance lease works differently: you pay for the vehicle in instalments and become the owner at the end of the term. Both options are available for electric commercial vehicles, ranging from a small van to a double-cab commercial van.
Leasing electric company cars is an attractive option due to the lower additional tax liability for the driver and potential tax benefits for the business owner. Other factors to consider include the exemption from motor vehicle tax and the subsidies that are available in certain cases for zero-emission vehicles in the business sector.
How many kilometres can an electric commercial vehicle travel on a single charge?
Under ideal conditions, most modern electric commercial vehicles can travel between 200 and 400 kilometres on a single charge. In practice, however – when fully laden, in cold weather or on the motorway – the actual range is, on average, 20 to 30 per cent lower than the manufacturer’s figure.
What factors influence the range?
The actual range depends on several factors that you encounter in day-to-day practice:
- Load and weight: A fully loaded van uses more energy than an empty one.
- Driving speed: On the motorway at 120 km/h, you use considerably more fuel than at 80 km/h on country roads.
- Temperature: In freezing conditions, the battery performs less well and the range decreases noticeably.
- Use of climate control: Heating and air conditioning use extra energy.
- Driving style: Smooth driving and anticipating traffic conditions well will extend your range.
What does this mean for your day-to-day use?
For urban deliveries and journeys of up to 150 kilometres a day, an electric commercial vehicle offers more than enough range. If you regularly drive longer distances, it is advisable to analyse your driving patterns in advance and see which model best suits your work profile.
When is an electric company car lease suitable for long distances?
Leasing an electric commercial vehicle is suitable for long distances if your daily routes can be planned in advance, there is sufficient charging infrastructure available along your route, and you are driving a model with a range of at least 300 kilometres. Long distances are achievable, but require more planning than with a diesel vehicle.
The difference compared to short city journeys lies in the preparation. If you drive the same route every day, you can schedule charging stops as a fixed part of your working day. Think of a charging break during a client visit or a lunch break at a fast charger. In most cases, this will cost you an extra 20 to 40 minutes a day.
Which professions is it suitable for?
Electric driving over longer distances works well for:
- service engineers who visit several customers a day within a specific region
- carriers operating fixed routes where loading points are available
- care transport providers who carry out scheduled journeys on a daily basis
- construction companies based at a fixed location where loading can take place at night
Electric driving is less suitable if you have to take unexpected detours, are travelling in remote areas with no charging infrastructure, or regularly drive more than 400 kilometres a day without the option of charging en route.
Where do you charge an electric company car on long journeys?
On long journeys, you can charge an electric commercial vehicle at public fast-charging stations along motorways, at charging points on industrial estates, at customers’ premises with charging facilities, or using your own charging point at your business premises. The Netherlands has one of the densest charging networks in Europe, which makes long journeys increasingly feasible.
Fast charging on the go
Along the Dutch motorways, you’ll find an increasing number of DC fast-charging stations with power outputs ranging from 50 kW to 150 kW or more. With a fast charger, you can charge an electric van from 20 to 80 per cent in 20 to 45 minutes. That’s enough for most onward journeys. Networks such as Fastned, Allego and the charging points at major petrol station chains provide good coverage of the main transport corridors in the Netherlands.
Charging at your own premises
The most practical solution for business owners is to have their own charging point at work or at home. You charge the car overnight and start the next day with a full battery. That’s more than enough for most daily work routines, even if you’re driving distances of 200 to 300 kilometres.
Apps and planning
Navigation apps and charging apps such as ABRP (A Better Route Planner) help you plan your charging stops smartly, based on your route and your vehicle’s energy consumption. This way, you can always drive with confidence and avoid running out of power unexpectedly.
How do the costs of leasing an electric company car compare with those of a diesel one?
The monthly lease payment for an electric commercial vehicle is usually higher than that for a comparable diesel van, but the total running costs are often lower. Lower fuel costs, reduced maintenance and tax benefits make electric leasing financially attractive in the long term.
Purchase and lease term
Electric commercial vehicles have a higher list price than diesel models, which translates into a higher monthly lease payment. Depending on the model and the type of lease, the difference can range from a few tens to more than a hundred euros per month.
Lower running costs
On the other hand, energy costs per kilometre are significantly lower than with diesel. Electricity is cheaper per kilometre than diesel, especially if you charge at home or at your own business premises. Furthermore, an electric powertrain has fewer moving parts, resulting in less maintenance and lower servicing costs over its entire lifespan.
Tax benefits
Electric company cars are exempt from motor vehicle tax. In addition, the driver is subject to a lower additional tax liability, and in certain cases subsidies are available through the SEBA scheme (Subsidy for Zero-Emission Company Cars). This makes the actual costs for the business owner more favourable than the lease term alone would suggest.
If you calculate the total costs over a lease term of four to five years, including energy, maintenance and tax benefits, electric leasing is already competitive with – or even cheaper than – diesel for many businesses.
Which electric commercial vehicles are best suited to long-distance journeys?
The most suitable electric commercial vehicles For long distances, models with a large battery of at least 75 kWh, a fast-charging capacity of 100 kW or more, and a practical range of 280 kilometres or more under load are recommended. Examples include the Mercedes eSprinter, Ford E-Transit and Stellantis models such as the Peugeot e-Expert and Citroën ë-Jumpy.
Large vans for long journeys
Larger models are better suited to heavy loads and longer journeys. The Mercedes eSprinter and Ford E-Transit offer a spacious cargo area, a high load capacity and are available with larger battery packs suitable for daily journeys of 250 kilometres or more. The Volkswagen e-Crafter is also a solid option for transport operators.
Medium-sized vans and double-cab pick-ups
A double-cab van Electric versions are available from brands such as Renault, Peugeot and Citroën. These models combine passenger transport or cargo space with a reasonable range for regional and inter-regional journeys. They are popular with contractors, service companies and healthcare transport providers.
Small electric van for city journeys and shorter distances
If you’re looking to buy or lease a small van for journeys of up to 150 kilometres a day, models such as the Renault Kangoo E-Tech, Peugeot e-Partner or Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo are excellent choices. They are manoeuvrable, fuel-efficient and ideal for urban deliveries or regional service operations.
How we can help you with long-distance electric commercial vehicle leasing
At Van den Hurk Commercial Vehicles, we help you find the right electric commercial vehicle to suit your working patterns, even if you drive long distances every day. We’ll work with you to analyse your routes, charging options and budget to find a solution that really works for your business.
What we do for you:
- Personalised advice based on your daily driving patterns and work activities
- A wide range of electric commercial vehicles, from small vans to double-cab commercial buses
- Flexible leasing options tailored to your needs and growth ambitions
- Guidance on tax benefits and available grants
- Transparent prices with no hidden costs
Would you like to find out which electric commercial vehicle lease is best suited to your situation? Please get in touch with us or take a look at our current offer on the website. We are happy to think with you.
