The Mitsubishi i-MiEV: electric cars are here but do not make sensible business cars – yet
Business Car Manager: Editor’s Blog
WHY was I not surprised when I saw this report from the UK’s largest contract hire firm Lex Autolease? A poll of 100 finance chiefs showed that while two out of every five directors prioritised the reduction of fleet costs, not one would do so by introducing alternative fuelled vehicles.
Electric vehicles sound a great idea. I’m sure they will be a brilliant zero emission form of transport one day in the future – provided the electricity is generated in a sustainable fashion.
But a real alternative to a business car at this moment in time? I think not.
And neither does Lex’s Chris Chandler, who told me: “Fully electric powered vehicles are not a realistic mainstream company car option at this moment in time. This is partly due to the inherent limitations of the recharging infrastructure, limited vehicle choice and availability, but also because of the lack of certainty on running costs.”
Too right there are issues. Recently I was talking to Martin Ward from CAP, who predicts residual values for the large fleet operators and leasing companies, and he was of the opinion that Electric Vehicles (EVs) were impossible to price for the used market unless the battery was bought as part of the package. Renault, a leading proponent of EVs, wants to lease out the car; and the battery.
More to the point there is the question of cost. The Nissan Leaf will cost
