- You can currently save £14,000 on charging stations for your company
- The benefit-in-kind tax cut could save you thousands per car if you go electric
- 65% of workers are more likely to join a company with eco-friendly policies
Electric vehicles (EVs) are more affordable than before, and the expenses associated with electric car charging points are decreasing.
Additionally, businesses can presently leverage the government’s Workplace Charging Scheme to offset 75% of the expenses, up to £14,000, resulting in even more cost-effective chargepoints.
Complete this form to connect with a chargepoint installer and explore the potential costs for your situation.
What's on this page?
The growing popularity of businesses using electric cars
The government reduced the benefit-in-kind tax rate for electric cars from 16% to 0% during the 2020/21 tax year.
This change, coupled with a significant shift in public opinion, resulted in a surge in the popularity of electric vehicles in 2020, particularly in the corporate sector.
While privately owned electric vehicle ownership grew by 33%, company ownership saw an impressive 78% increase, as per government data.
Although the 0% rate expired in April 2021, the tax remains very low until at least 2023.
For the 2021/22 tax year, the rate is 1%, and for the 2022/23 tax year, it is 2%.
To illustrate, an e-Golf would incur a benefit-in-kind tax of £55 for the 2021/22 year and £110 for the following year.
In comparison, a petrol-powered model like the Volkswagen Golf 1.0 TSI Life would result in a benefit-in-kind tax of £6,859 for the first year alone.
Which businesses are going electric?
Major corporations are taking notice of the potential savings associated with electric vehicles (EVs).
Prominent companies such as GlaxoSmithKline, HP, IKEA, Natwest, Tesco, and Heathrow Airport are transitioning their fleets to electric and installing charging points as part of the EV100 pledge.
The renowned Goodman Group is allocating £5.4 million to convert its fleet to electric, Wimbledon now employs electric cars for player transportation during the tournament, and leading British companies, including BT, Aviva, and OVO, have committed to adopting electric vehicles.
In a noteworthy development, car leasing companies Tusker, Zenith, and Lex Autolease have pledged to establish an entirely electric fleet by 2030, collectively owning 397,500 vehicles.
Why should your business install its own charging points?
Setting up your own charging points comes with numerous advantages: it enhances your brand, attracts a larger customer and employee base, contributes to environmental conservation, and potentially reduces costs by substantial amounts.
Let’s delve deeper into these advantages:
**Cost Savings:**
Relying on other companies’ charging stations is costlier than obtaining electricity directly from the National Grid. By bypassing intermediaries, you can source energy directly from a more economical source, trimming down your business’s energy expenses. Running an electric car costs three times less than operating an average petrol car, provided you maximize potential savings.
**Optimal Time for Installation:**
The Workplace Charging Scheme enables businesses to save up to £14,000 on installing up to 40 charging points. With an additional £50 million injected into the scheme by the government in early 2021, it is expected to remain in effect until at least the end of 2022. Seizing this opportunity promptly is crucial, given the government’s track record, exemplified by the brief existence of the Green Homes Grant.
**Environmental Responsibility:**
Leading by example in environmental stewardship is not only ethically commendable but also financially beneficial for your business. Adopting sustainable practices and maximizing resource efficiency enhances overall operational efficiency. This approach is appreciated by both your workforce and the public, fostering employee satisfaction, engagement, and customer loyalty. Studies indicate that a significant percentage of people in the UK prioritize joining companies with strong environmental policies, and sustainability has become more important to individuals due to COVID-19.
**Client Attraction and Satisfaction:**
Clients are more likely to visit your office if they can charge up for their return journey. Demonstrating a principled and considerate approach toward your company’s environmental impact not only aligns with the values of an increasing portion of the population but also attracts clients who appreciate such commitments.
In summary, you can either resist progress or, with a relatively small investment, position your business as forward-thinking, aligning with the goals of a growing percentage of the population.
And of course, reducing your carbon footprint helps fight climate change, which benefits the entire planet.
The cost of installing electric car charging points for your business
Installing electric car charging points at your business typically falls within the range of £700 to £1,000 per charger. Leveraging a government grant can further reduce the cost by £350 per charging point. The Workplace Charging Scheme has the potential to cover up to 75% of the costs, with a cap at £14,000. To determine the specific costs for your business, complete this form.
While there are options for lower-priced chargers, these typically come with slower charging capabilities, around 3-4kW, insufficient for overnight charging or during extended meetings. Moreover, as new electric cars enter the market with faster charging requirements, opting for slow chargers may necessitate replacements, incurring additional expenses in the long term.
For an efficient and future-proof charging solution, investing in chargers capable of reaching 7kW or higher is recommended.
Are there government grants available?
As highlighted earlier, the Workplace Charging Scheme offers potential coverage of up to 75% of the costs, resulting in savings of up to £14,000. With this scheme, the expense of procuring and installing an electric car charging point is reduced by £350. It’s important to note that this discount can be applied to a maximum of 40 chargers across all your sites.
All you need to do is fill in the application form created by the government’s Office for Zero Emission Vehicles, then get the charging points installed within six months of receiving your voucher.
To qualify for the scheme, your organisation must be:
- Located in England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland
- A registered charity or business, or in the public sector
- A public authority, or a group that’s received less than €200,000 (£180,800) of public support in the past three fiscal years
- Able to explain either your need for charging point/s, or your plan to encourage or order your staff to start driving electric vehicles
- Able to access dedicated off-street parking
- The owner of the property, or able to get permission from the owner/s for the installation of charging point/s
Free electric car charging points for businesses
While the concept of obtaining a complimentary electric car charging point may seem elusive, there is a cost-effective approach to save even more. Zero Carbon World, operating on a charitable mission to expand its ZeroNet charging network nationwide, presently boasts chargers in numerous locations across the UK. The charity offers businesses a free charging station, requiring payment only for the installation cost—an exceptional opportunity. To qualify for this complimentary charging point, your business should meet specific criteria:
1. Be an establishment where drivers can spend a minimum of three hours, such as a hotel, pub, restaurant, or golf course.
2. Possess a secure car park with at least one space convertible into a priority spot for electric cars.
3. Engage one of Zero Carbon World’s local installation partners.
4. Ensure that the charging point is not exclusively reserved for employees.
5. Display Zero Carbon World’s parking sign.
6. Complete the installation of the charging point within 28 days of receiving the provided pack.
7. Grant Zero Carbon World permission to use any wording or image when promoting the charging point’s location.
Next steps
Investing in electric car charging stations not only offers potential cost savings but also enhances your business’s image among both internal and external stakeholders, positioning it favorably for the imminent future. Leveraging the benefits of the Workplace Charging Scheme, now is an opportune moment to safeguard your business against future developments.
If you’re interested in obtaining a discount of up to £350 for each charger’s procurement and installation, take the first step by completing this form to receive a detailed estimate of charging point costs.
