WHITE PAPER

EV Charging for Fleets

Why fleet operators need to embrace
EV Charging

ABSTRACT. The future is clearly electric

STATUS QUO. How things stand at present
CHALLENGES AND REQUIREMENTS. What you need to know
OPPORTUNITIES. The road ahead

The following company participated in the creation of this white paper in the form of editorial contributions:

has-to-be.com
 CONTENTS.

ABSTRACT. The future is clearly electric……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 3

STATUS QUO. How things stand at present…………………………………………………………………………………………………… 5

Electric gathering pace in the USA…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 6
How electrified is Europa?……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 7
Best Practice: Who’s doing what?………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 13

CHALLENGES AND REQUIREMENTS. What you need to know…………………………………………………………………………… 18

The charging infrastructure issue: Who’s charging where………………………………………………………………………… 21

OPPORTUNITIES. The road ahead……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 24

EV Charging for Fleets | has-to-be.com | 2

 ABSTRACT.
The future is clearly electric

Impending bans on diesel vehicles, increasing fuel prices, FLEET-WIDE CARBON EMISSION PERFOR-
more low emission zones: anybody responsible for a fleet MANCE STANDARDS FROM 2025/2030
is facing plenty of challenges right now. And those are just A driving force here will be the COP26 UN Climate Change
some of the reasons eMobility is taking on increasing sig- Conference, which took place in Glasgow in late 2021. And
nificance for businesses with fleet operations. According politics will also play a role. According to a paper commis-
to a survey of 3600 people in the Netherlands, Germany, sioned by Agora Verkehrswende, fleet-wide carbon emis-
France, Belgium, Norway and the United Kingdom, car- sions limits for newly registered cars in Europe will give
ried out by market research institute Ipsos, eVehicles eMobility a real push.3 The German Federal Ministry for
are an ever-increasing presence in company carpools. the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety
And around 20% of employers are already offering eVehic- explains this trend on its website:
le options to their fleet drivers. But there are various points
of difference between the countries featured in the study. EU Regulation 2019/631, as laid down in April 2019,
The UK leads the way, with 27% of the companies provi- stipulates so-called carbon dioxide emissions per-
ding their staff with zero-emission vehicles, for which no formance standards for fleets (in gCO2/km) for cars
benefit tax currently applies. 21% of Norwegian companies and light commercial vehicles. It defines new fleet
have chosen to deploy eVehicles. In third place came Ger- carbon dioxide emission performance standards due
many (19%), followed by Belgium (18%) and France, where to come into force from 2025 and 2030. A fleet per-
16% of companies had opted for eVehicles.1 formance standard is a value that the average for all
vehicles registered in the EU in a given year should
Sandra Roling, Head of Transport at Climate Group, belie- not exceed.4
ves businesses have nothing less than an eCar revolution
on their hands:
THE SUSTAINABILITY ISSUE IS DRIVING
THE ADOPTION OF ELECTRIC FLEETS
“Corporate uptake of electric vehicles is on a roll. Protecting the environment and sustainability are typically
Despite the uncertainty of 2020, the business important issues for companies equipping their employees
community has made remarkable progress in transitioning with electric company cars. The Ipsos survey showed that
its fleets.”2 roughly two in five people worked for a company guided by
a sustainable vision, although the Netherlands was a con-
siderable way ahead of Germany (32%) and France (31%).

1
Cf. EV drivers want more workplace chargers. https://www.fleeteurope.com/en/new-energies/europe/features/ev-drivers-want-more-workplace-char-
gers?a=JMA06&t%5B0%5D=EVBox&t%5B1%5D=Electric&t%5B2%5D=Chargepoint&curl=1, retrieved 12th May 2021
2
EV-100-Mitglieder verdoppeln E-Anteil in ihren Flotten. https://www.electrive.net/2021/02/17/ev100-mitglieder-verdoppeln-e-anteil-in-ihren-flotten/, retrieved 12th
May 2021
3
Cf. Weiter denken, schneller laden. Welche Ladeinfrastruktur es für den Erfolg der Elektromobilität in Städten braucht. Diskussionspaper. Erstellt im Auftrag von s Ver-
kehrswende. Version 1.0, July 2020, pg. 15
4
https://www.bmu.de/fileadmin/Daten_BMU/Download_PDF/Luft/zusammenfassung_co2_flottengrenzwerte.pdf, pg. 1, retrieved 14th May 2021

EV Charging for Fleets | has-to-be.com | 3

Kristof Vereenooghe, President and CEO of EVBox, which Urban transport will be almost completely electric in the
commissioned the study, remarked: future. Not only do general trends suggest this, but it’s
also expressly mentioned in the July 2020 Agora Ver-
kehrswende paper:
“This research confirms that there is pressure
on businesses to adopt electric mobility for the
benefit of employees, society and our planet. Businesses “Just as with personal transport, delivery vehicles
have the chance to lead by example by electrifying their will also be electrified to a far greater degree. On
fleets and encouraging their employees to use electric top of that come taxis and buses, particularly in cities where
vehicles. This also shows that the provision of charging air pollution is a major issue.”7
infrastructure at workplaces is key to accelerating the ad-
option of electric mobility in Europe.”5
There is thus a strong case for electrifying not only com-
pany cars but commercial vehicle fleets too. Besides, the-
CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE re’s no obstacle to transforming fleets from combustion
IS A CRITICAL ISSUE vehicles to eVehicles – so long as this is well thought-out
That charging infrastructure at the workplace is key to and planned.
accelerating the introduction of eMobility in Europe is
underlined in the eVehicles and Sustainability study (part
of the Mobility Insights Report series), which was publis-
DEFINITION: WHAT IS A FLEET?
hed by LeasePlan and Ipsos in 2021. The study showed a
In this white paper, the term ‘fleet’ is generally used
heightened interest in eVehicles in all countries – for 36%
in reference to a large number of vehicles as de-
of respondents, however, inadequate infrastructure was
ployed by a specific company. Fleets can be made
a primary reason why they hadn’t yet taken the plunge.
up of aircraft, cars, heavy vehicles or other forms of
Roland Meyer, CEO of LeasePlan Germany, interprets the
transport. In the pages to come, we’ll concern our-
results for that country as follows:
selves exclusively with ground vehicles when we talk
about fleets. At various points in the paper, we will
draw a clear distinction between company car fleets
“What we’re seeing is that car drivers are certain-
and commercial vehicle fleets, making it easy for the
ly ready to do their bit in fighting climate change,
reader to know which kind of fleet we’re referring to.
but they’re hesitant because of range concerns and inade-
quate charging infrastructure – as well as high purchase
costs. On the one hand, we need auto manufacturers to
continually bring innovative, affordable vehicles onto
the market. On the other, we need investments in a uni-
versal, sustainable charging infrastructure.”6

5
EV drivers want more workplace chargers. https://www.fleeteurope.com/en/new-energies/europe/features/ev-drivers-want-more-workplace-char-
gers?a=JMA06&t%5B0%5D=EVBox&t%5B1%5D=Electric&t%5B2%5D=Chargepoint&curl=1, retrieved 12th May 2021.
6
Interesse an Elektromobilität wächst: Mehr Autofahrer sind bereit zum Umstieg. https://www.leaseplan.com/de-de/news/interesse-an-elektromobilitaet-waechst/,
retrieved 15th May 2021
7
Weiterdenken, schneller laden. Welche Ladeinfrastruktur es für den Erfolg der Elektromobilität in Städten braucht. Diskussionspaper. Erstellt im Auftrag von Agora Ver-
kehrswende. Version 1.0, July 2020, pg. 17

EV Charging for Fleets | has-to-be.com | 4

 STATUS QUO.
How things stand at present

According to a 2021 study by Webfleet Solutions, 61% of

commercial vehicles in Europe could be replaced by eVe- “The electrification of employee vehicles re-
hicles. The study used anonymous, aggregated data from presents a chance to give the eVehicle market
over 5000 fleet clients across the continent. The results a boost. Because they’ll end up on the used car market,
showed that 82.8% of these fleet clients would be able more electric company vehicles will also mean millions
to exchange at least one of their vehicles for an electri- of affordable eCars for all drivers,” explains Stef Cornelis,
cally powered model. Also, in all the countries surveyed, Director of T&E Germany. “To achieve the new, stricter
at least half of all cars and light commercial vehicles climate goals, ensuring all new company vehicles are
could be replaced by eVehicles. The study suggested that electrified by 2030 would be a perfect place for the go-
the United Kingdom and the Netherlands had the greatest vernment to start.”10
potential for a switch to eCars. And that around 70% of the
commercial vehicles in both countries could be replaced
by eVehicles. France, at 67%, came second in this ranking,
with Germany third at 61%.8

The results of another study, commissioned by Transport &

Environment (T&E), an umbrella organization of European
environmental associations, underline that electric com-
pany cars could reduce automobile emissions in Germa-
ny by almost a third. According to T&E, company cars and 70 % 67 % 61 %
commercially licensed vehicles are responsible for around
three-quarters of carbon emissions by new vehicles in
Germany.9 of the commercial vehicle in the respective countries
could be replaced by eVehicles.

8
Cf. https://www.webfleet.com/de_de/webfleet/company/updates/press/2021/03/30/
9
Cf. https://ecomento.de/2021/05/17/e-dienstwagen-wuerden-pkw-emissionen-in-deutschland-um-ein-drittel-senken-studie/
10
https://ecomento.de/2021/05/17/e-dienstwagen-wuerden-pkw-emissionen-in-deutschland-um-ein-drittel-senken-studie/

EV Charging for Fleets | has-to-be.com | 5

Electric gathering pace in the USA

Managing fleets is a challenge faced by companies across Working on the assumption of increased eVehicle numbers,
all kinds of industries. Where eMobility is concerned, McKinsey predicts that fleets in the USA will account for
larger companies with over a thousand employees are eight million eVehicles by 2030. That would mean bet-
leading the way. According to a 2021 study published by ween 10 and 15 percent of all fleet vehicles in America
BloombergNEF, for example, retail giant Amazon ordered will be electrically driven by that year. For comparison,
102,000 eCars – more than any other company. The se- fewer than 5000 fleet vehicles in the year 2018 were
cond tier of large-scale buyers is led by logistics compa- eCars.13 With such growth on display, the infrastructure
nies such as La Poste, UPS and DHL.11 factor becomes a decisive one. To develop this wisely, says
McKinsey, substantial investments are needed:
On the American market, there could soon be even more
electrically driven fleet vehicles on the roads. Falling eCar
costs, combined with government support measures, “McKinsey estimates that the United States will
are already giving commercial eCar sales a significant need some $11 billion of capital investment by
boost. But the incentive is also growing for vehicle fleet 2030 to deploy the 13 million chargers needed for all of the
operators. True, eCars are still more expensive than com- country’s EVs. Fleet EVs alone would consume up to 230
parable ICE vehicles in terms of purchase costs. But their terawatt-hours of power per year, which would be approxi-
efficiency, reasonable electricity prices and the heavy uti- mately 6% of current US power generation. Their batteries
lization of fleet vehicles mean they can effectively pay for would offer roughly 30 gigawatt-hours of electricity-sto-
themselves in minimal time. And according to McKinsey, rage capacity, or 15 – 20% of projected capacity in 2030.”14
fleet operators can benefit from reduced overall costs. An
article published in March 2020 reported:

“Our estimate suggests that fleet EVs can have a

Total Cost of Ownership that is 15 to 25 percent
less than that of equivalent ICE vehicles by 2030.”12

11
Cf. How are corporations electrifying their vehicle fleets? A glance into the commercial EV market. Bloomberg, January 2021, pg. 2
12
Charging electric-vehicle fleets: How to seize the emerging opportunity. https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/sustainability/our-insights/charging-electric-
vehicle-fleets-how-to-seize-the-emerging-opportunity, retrieved 15th May 2021. Note: Estimates based on city and regional use cases for commercial fleet vehicles.
13
Cf. Charging electric-vehicle fleets: How to seize the emerging opportunity. https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/sustainability/our-insights/charging-elec-
tric-vehicle-fleets-how-to-seize-the-emerging-opportunity, retrieved 15th May 2021
14
Charging electric-vehicle fleets: How to seize the emerging opportunity. https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/sustainability/our-insights/charging-electric-
vehicle-fleets-how-to-seize-the-emerging-opportunity, retrieved 15th May 2021

EV Charging for Fleets | has-to-be.com | 6

How electrified is Europe?

How does the European landscape currently look? eMobili- CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE
ty has long since become a part of everyday life. Growing IS THE WEAKEST LINK
awareness of climate change and resulting laws such as The ranking system is designed to make the decision to
the European Green Deal, as well as improved framework switch to electrification an easier one for international
conditions like increased range, shorter charging times, fleet and mobility managers. From this country-by-country
more charge points and lower eCar prices have made data, a picture of electrification across Europe emerges.
switching to an eVehicle a genuinely viable option in 2021. Noteworthy is the fact that LeasePlan identifies the char-
ging infrastructure as the weakest area among the three
The parameters and conditions required to electrify fleets key factors it defined. Even between the countries with
do however vary substantially from country to country. the best scores on the Index, there were significant de-
LeasePlan surveyed 22 European nations with respect to ficiencies when it came to the charging infrastructure,
their readiness for eMobility, with their 2021 Readiness for which the following factors were taken into account:
Index defining three key factors for electrification. These public charge points in relation to population, public charge
were the size of the eVehicle market, the level of char- points in relation to eCar registrations, and the availability
ging infrastructure development and the cost of opera- of fast-charging devices in relation to the size of a coun-
ting eCars.15 try’s highway network.

Norway led the 2021 EV Readiness Index with a score of 42 The current LeasePlan Mobility Insights Report on eMo-
points. The Netherlands was next with 38 points, followed bility and Sustainability shows that an insufficiently de-
by the United Kingdom with 33. Austria placed fifth with veloped charging infrastructure is considered the biggest
29 points, while Germany was seventh with 28 points and obstacle for the acceptance of eCars. However, efforts to
Switzerland 13th with a score of 23.16 tackle the problem are being made. In 2020, according to
LeasePlan, Europe saw a 43% increase in the number of
publicly accessible charging stations. The Index quotes the
largest number of public charge points as being found in
the Netherlands (>61,000), France (>45,000) and Germany
(>43,000). The Netherlands offered the highest density
of public charge points, with 3.53 per 1000 residents,
followed by Norway with 3.40 and Luxembourg with 1.54.
Bringing up the rear with regards to public charge points in
Europe were Greece and Poland.17

15
Cf. LeasePlan’s 2021 EV Readiness Index, March 2021, pg. 1
16
Cf. LeasePlan’s 2021 EV Readiness Index, March 2021, pg. 9
17
Cf. LeasePlan’s 2021 EV Readiness Index, March 2021, pg. 16

EV Charging for Fleets | has-to-be.com | 7

The success eVehicles have in Europe is directly linked with The most popular places to charge an eCar are at home,
ongoing development of the charging infrastructure, says at public charging stations and at company premises. In
Oliver Zipse, ACEA President and BMW CEO: terms of fleet mobility, charging at the office is a key
point. Yet hardly any companies are currently capable of
providing a charging connection for every eCar. This is
“Europe’s auto manufacturers are driving the where intelligent charging management can play a role.
transformation to eMobility and have been pus- With such systems, the available electricity in the com-
hing each other to great things when it comes to bringing pany’s local network can be distributed to the charging
new eVehicles onto the market. But the success of this stations as demand requires.
enormous effort is under serious threat from the delayed
installation of charging infrastructure in the EU. The Euro- CHARGING AT BUSINESS PREMISES
pean Commission needs to act quickly and create binding If you’re considering installing charging stations, one of the
targets for the expansion of the charging infrastructure in first questions will be ‘how many stations do we actually
member states. Without this, the current climate change need?’ The answer depends on numerous factors, such as
goals will also be in danger.”18 how many eCars there are in your company’s pool, how
many parking spaces are usually available, what type of
charging station you’ve opted for and what your budget for
In addition, Zipse is calling for more emphasis on charging the installation is.20 Tom Callow, Head of External Affairs at
in the workplace and at home. William Todts, Executive BP Chargemaster, puts it this way:
Director at Transport & Environment (T&E), an umbrella
body of non-governmental organizations from the sustai-
nable transport sector in Europe, endorses this view: “It’s important to think about who actually needs
to charge. For example, employees who have
a home charging unit and drive their own electric car to
“To speed up the transition [to electric] we need work on a commute of up to 20 miles probably don’t need
ubiquitous and easy charging not just in Norway to charge at work, whereas a field-based employee who
and the Netherlands but all across Europe.”19 drives more than 100 miles to the office on a particular day
may well need to charge.”21

18
OEMs campaign for massive increase in EV chargers for fleets, https://www.fleeteurope.com/en/new-energies/europe/features/oems-campaign-massive-increase-
ev-chargers-fleets?a=JMA06&t%5B0%5D=Electric&t%5B1%5D=ACEA&t%5B2%5D=BEUC&t%5B3%5D=Transport%20%26%20Environment&t%5B4%5D=char-
ging%20infrastructure&curl=1m, retrieved 11th May 2021
19
OEMs campaign for massive increase in EV chargers for fleets, https://www.fleeteurope.com/en/new-energies/europe/features/oems-campaign-massive-increase-
ev-chargers-fleets?a=JMA06&t%5B0%5D=Electric&t%5B1%5D=ACEA&t%5B2%5D=BEUC&t%5B3%5D=Transport%20%26%20Environment&t%5B4%5D=char-
ging%20infrastructure&curl=1m, retrieved 11th May 2021
20
Cf. How to implement a successful workplace charging scheme. https://www.fleetnews.co.uk/electric-fleet/charging-and-infrastructure/how-to-implement-a-success-
ful-workplace-charging-scheme, retrieved 15th May 2021
21
How to implement a successful workplace charging scheme. https://www.fleetnews.co.uk/electric-fleet/charging-and-infrastructure/how-to-implement-a-successful-
workplace-charging-scheme, retrieved 15th May 2021

EV Charging for Fleets | has-to-be.com | 8

WILL YOU CHARGE YOUR EMPLOYEES TO
CHARGE? “Businesses and other commercially active orga-
Whether you’re going to charge a fee for charging at your nizations, local authorities, unions and religious
business premises is a decision that depends to some de- institutions will receive financial support for purchasing all
gree on your company philosophy. It will also vary from manner of eVehicles as well as with developing/expanding
country to country. In some countries, free charging isn’t their internal/public eCharging infrastructures, with eMo-
permitted. In Germany, on the other hand, many compa- bility management and with the transformation of their
nies are offering their employees exactly this. They’re using fleets… The installation of fast-charging stations can be
the benefit not only as an incentive but also to increase the subsidized by up to €30,000 per charging station.”22
general acceptance of eCars. Other companies opt for a fee
system. But whether you offer free electricity for your
employees and visitors or decide to implement charges, GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIES AND TAX BENEFITS
the important thing is that your software can reflect both Since eCars are becoming ever more popular, many workers
approaches. who own them believe they face a problem with regards to
the relative lack of charging stations at their workplaces –
WIN-WIN: BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES and the fact that these are usually occupied by others. This
GAIN FROM ELECTRIFICATION is according to a study by Ipsos. Meanwhile, thanks to the
Both businesses and their employees benefit from the pur- purchase costs, businesses are often hesitant to respond.
chase of eCars. Those benefits range from reduced sale
prices to charging station subsidies to employee tax But in some countries, companies can apply for govern-
breaks. Because of the cost of the battery itself, the initial ment subsidies to help reduce the costs associated with
price of an eCar appears relatively high compared to an ICE installing charging stations. And there are also financial in-
vehicle. But this is well counteracted by various national centives and tax breaks available for employees.23
subsidy options and funding such as purchase bonuses,
ensuring that buying an eCar is becoming a more attrac-
tive proposition for many. Top-line government platform
oesterreich.gv.at puts it as follows:

https://www.oesterreich.gv.at/themen/bauen_wohnen_und_umwelt/elektroautos_und_e_mobilitaet/Seite.4320020.html, retrieved 12th May 2021

22

EV drivers want more workplace chargers. https://www.fleeteurope.com/en/new-energies/europe/features/ev-drivers-want-more-workplace-chargers?a=JMA06&t%5B0

23

%5D=EVBox&t%5B1%5D=Electric&t%5B2%5D=Chargepoint&curl=1, retrieved 12th May 2021

EV Charging for Fleets | has-to-be.com | 9

GERMANY
In November 2019, Germany’s parliament passed the And users of commercial eVehicles
‘Furtherance of eMobility and Updates to Tax Regulations’ also get tax benefits:
law. Among other things, this law covered taxation of
electric company vehicles and tax exemptions for free Since 1st July 2020, the private use of electric busi-
charging at the workplace. Previously set to run out after ness vehicles with a gross list price of up to €60,000
three years, the preferential treatment for eVehicles and and which are used for business purposes more than
plug-in hybrids when it comes to company vehicle tax is half of the time, will as a non-cash benefit only be
set to be extended to the year 2030.24 taxed on 0,25% of their gross list price.27

For purely electric cars with a list price under €40,000, On the other hand, the existing 0,5% rule remains
Germany currently offers a subsidy of €6000. For hybrids, in place for hybrid eVehicles and eCars with higher
the amount is €4500. In addition, you don’t pay any vehic- gross list prices. For comparison: if an individual de-
le tax for the first 10 years after you buy an eCar.25 Since clares an ICE car as their own property, they must pay
the start of 2020, drivers using electric company vehicles tax on one percent of the list price. Another important
for private trips need only pay fixed monthly taxes on a point in favor of using electric vehicles for business
quarter of the tax assessment base – in other words 25% is the fact that charging eCars at employer premises
of the gross list price. At this point, however, a distinction doesn’t need to be taxed as a non-cash benefit.28
is made. In June 2020, the limit for the tax assessment
base was raised from €40,000 to €60,000. This means
even buyers of higher-priced eCars can take advantage of
the 0,25% rule. Anybody buying a business vehicle with a
gross list price of over €60,000 will continue to pay tax on
0,5% of the gross list price.26

24
Cf. https://www.elektroauto-news.net/2019/bundestag-verlaengert-staerkt-dienstwagen-foerderung-bis-2030/
25
Cf. LeasePlan’s 2021 EV Readiness Index, March 2021, pgs. 30-36
26
Cf. https://www.firmenauto.de/dienstwagensteuer-fuer-e-autos-nur-0-25-prozent-fuer-privatnutzung-10328791.html
27
https://www.adac.de/rund-ums-fahrzeug/elektromobilitaet/kaufen/foerderung-elektroautos/
28
Cf. https://www.adac.de/rund-ums-fahrzeug/elektromobilitaet/kaufen/foerderung-elektroautos/

EV Charging for Fleets | has-to-be.com | 10

AUSTRIA UNITED KINGDOM
In Austria, there’s currently a subsidy of up to €4000 for Given the country’s favorable tax rates for company ve-
fully electric vehicles as well as hydrogen vehicles. The hicles, British eCar drivers can save over 2000 pounds per
exact level of the subsidy varies from state to state. eCars year.31 Fully electric cars are exempt from the Vehicle Excise
also have the edge from a tax perspective. For example, Duty tax. Company vehicle tax consists of two parts. One
no NOVA (initial vehicle registration) tax needs to be paid part is paid by the company, the other by the employee.
for an electrically powered vehicle. Neither does insurance The exact amounts depend on the value of the vehic-
tax related to the engine apply, since eVehicles are com- le, its carbon emissions and the employee’s income tax
pletely exempt from this type of tax. There’s a further tax bracket.32 Since early 2020, the non-cash benefit that is
benefit allowing deductions from advance tax payments using a company vehicle for private purposes is no longer
on company eVehicles, if these are for operational use and subject to tax when the vehicle is electric. 33
the new price does not exceed €40,000. But employees
benefit from the switch to eCars just as businesses do. Be- FRANCE
nefits in kind – usually 1.5 to 2% depending on the vehicle The purchase bonus for French companies amounts to
– fall away completely for the private use of fully electric €5000 per vehicle. And when buying new vehicles, pub-
company vehicles.29 To put this another way, employees lic institutions will in future have to ensure that at least
can use company vehicles on a personal basis without any half of their investment is in electric, hybrid or hydrogen
tax consequences. The company benefits in turn becau- vehicles.34
se it saves on additional salary costs – and in the form
of a satisfied, motivated worker too. That’s a win-win NETHERLANDS
situation for all concerned! In many Austrian cities (but not 73% of all new eCars in the Netherlands in 2020 were
Vienna), eVehicles are also exempt from parking fees.30 registered by businesses. As in Germany, Dutch companies
can get subsidies for switching their fleets to alternative
drive systems. Employees using battery-electric compa-
ny cars for private purposes, which counts as a benefit
in kind, can expect reduced personal income tax pay-
ments. 35 For eCars, the annual company vehicle tax is 4%
of the purchase price. ICE vehicle tax, on the other hand, is
22% of the purchase price.36

29
https://www.oesterreich.gv.at/themen/bauen_wohnen_und_umwelt/elektroautos_und_e_mobilitaet/Seite.4320010.html, retrieved 12th May 2021
30
Cf. LeasePlan’s 2021 EV Readiness Index, March 2021, pgs. 30-36
31
Cf. https://www.electrive.net/2021/03/18/grossbritannien-schmilzt-e-auto-foerderung-weiter-ab/
32
Cf. https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-news/107394/electric-cars-exempt-from-company-car-tax-next-year
33
Cf. https://www.electrive.net/2020/04/06/grossbritannien-steuer-regeln-fuer-e-dienstwagen-treten-in-kraft/
34
Cf. https://www.green-zones.eu/de/blog-news/elektrofoerderung-in-europa
35
Cf. https://theicct.org/blog/staff/netherlands-ev-leader-feb2021
36
Cf. https://www.swiss-emobility.ch/de/politik/meldungen/2020/Besteuerung-elektrischer-Dienstwagen.php

EV Charging for Fleets | has-to-be.com | 11

CAR-SHARING FLEETS ARE GOING ELECTRIC Increased environmental awareness is also a major factor in
According to an article that appeared in 2020, car-sha- the sharing context. An example is the way vehicle manu-
ring fleets are also well on their way to electrification. At facturers and environmentalists have come together to
the time of the investigation, around 45% of Europe’s car- urge the European Commission to require governments
sharing providers were already running fleets that were to support last-mile delivery fleets, taxi companies and
100% electric – and that number was trending upwards.37 ride-hailing services like Uber in introducing emission-
The largest car-sharing fleets on the continent are free vehicles. Among other things, they’re calling for
found in Paris and Madrid. Between these capital cities, mandatory targets for the number of publicly accessible
various operators have approximately 1800 eVehicles in EV charge points and hydrogen stations throughout the
circulation. But a number of players have also begun to European Union.38
introduce completely electric fleets in Stockholm, Warsaw
and Vienna.
“These unlikely allies want to see this year’s revi-
There are many reasons why car-sharing services are sion of the EU-wide Alternative Fuels Infrastruc-
turning to eCars. The range of available eCars is getting ture Directive (AFID) to require one million public charging
ever larger whilst prices are becoming ever more attracti- points across the bloc in 2024, rising to three million by
ve. On top of that, expanded ‘emissions zones’ in cities 2029, as well as 1000 hydrogen stations by 2030.”39
are acting as a major push factor for electrified urban
transport. Given that cities are under pressure to improve
air quality in their centers, emission-free vehicles are the The demand is there – that much is clear. Another example:
smartest choice. To ensure long-term access to city cen- the independent think tank Policy Exchange has calculated
ters, more and more car-sharing providers are following that the United Kingdom needs to install charging stations
increasingly strict emissions standards. Madrid’s center, for five times faster than it has done until now if it hopes to
example, is now only open to eCars and hybrids with a ran- keep up with increasing eDriver demand.40
ge of over 40 kilometers. That’s one of the reasons why the
Spanish capital has developed into an eSharing hotspot.

37
Cf. Trend Europe: Electrification in car sharing fleets. https://www.electrive.com/2020/03/08/trend-europe-electrification-in-car-sharing-fleets/, retrieved 11th May
2021.
38
Cf. OEMs campaign for massive increase in EV chargers for fleets, https://www.fleeteurope.com/en/new-energies/europe/features/oems-campaign-massive-increa-
se-ev-chargers-fleets?a=JMA06&t%5B0%5D=Electric&t%5B1%5D=ACEA&t%5B2%5D=BEUC&t%5B3%5D=Transport%20%26%20Environment&t%5B4%5D=char-
ging%20infrastructure&curl=1m, retrieved 11th May 2021
39
OEMs campaign for massive increase in EV chargers for fleets, https://www.fleeteurope.com/en/new-energies/europe/features/oems-campaign-massive-increase-
ev-chargers-fleets?a=JMA06&t%5B0%5D=Electric&t%5B1%5D=ACEA&t%5B2%5D=BEUC&t%5B3%5D=Transport%20%26%20Environment&t%5B4%5D=char-
ging%20infrastructure&curl=1m, retrieved 11th May 2021
40
OEMs campaign for massive increase in EV chargers for fleets, https://www.fleeteurope.com/en/new-energies/europe/features/oems-campaign-massive-increase-
ev-chargers-fleets?a=JMA06&t%5B0%5D=Electric&t%5B1%5D=ACEA&t%5B2%5D=BEUC&t%5B3%5D=Transport%20%26%20Environment&t%5B4%5D=char-
ging%20infrastructure&curl=1m, retrieved 11th May 2021

EV Charging for Fleets | has-to-be.com | 12

Best Practice: Who’s doing what?

You can’t discuss fleet electrification without the EV100 wants to replace 14,000 vehicles in over 50 countries with
eMobility Initiative coming up. It was launched in 2017 by eCars by 2030. Further EV100 members include the BT
organizations including Deutsche Post DHL, Vattenfall, Group, DB Schenker, E.ON, Siemens, Sky, Iberdrola, phar-
Baidu, Ikea, METRO, NP, LeasePlan, PG&E, Unilever and maceutical giant AstraZeneca and Danish energy utility
Heathrow Airport. The member companies – of which the- Ørsted, which wants to take its current fleet of 340 vehic-
re are now over a hundred – have pledged to decarbonize les 100% electric by 2025.43 With fleet transformation on
their fleets by 2030. The number of eVehicles operated such a scale, the question of charging infrastructure only
by the large multinationals in the EV100 Initiative rose to becomes more pressing.
169,000 within a year – and the EV100 companies want to
put 4.8 million of them into service by 2030.41 UK Electric Fleet Coalition
Some of the British companies brought together by
EV100: GLOBAL COMPANIES TAKE the EV100 have also united to form the UK Electric
RESPONSIBILITY FOR FLEET ELECTRIFICATION Fleet Coalition. It has pledged to switch more than
2019 saw a further four major fleet operators join the 700,000 vehicles to electric power by 2030. Astra-
EV100, namely the Austrian and Swiss postal services, Zeneca, which runs around 17,000 vehicles, plans to
Energias de Portugal (EDP) and New Zealand’s Meridian change to a fully electric fleet by 2025. And Centrica,
Energy. This quartet’s contribution is a pledge to electrify which has almost 11,000 vehicles, plus Mitie with
its delivery fleets, which consist of around 22,000 in to- around 7000, want to achieve the same with their
tal, by the year 2030.42 And among others to join in 2020 fleets in the same period.44
was French electro-technical concern Schneider Electric. It

41
E V-100-Mitglieder verdoppeln E-Anteil in ihren Flotten. https://www.electrive.net/2021/02/17/ev100-mitglieder-verdoppeln-e-anteil-in-ihren-flotten/, retrieved 11th
May 2021
42
Cf. Vier weitere Konzerne gesellen sich zu EV100-Initiative. https://www.electrive.net/2019/03/04/vier-weitere-konzerne-gesellen-sich-zu-ev100-initiative/, retrieved
11th May 2021
43
Cf. Dänischer Energieversorger will Flotte elektrifizieren. https://www.electrive.net/2019/08/09/daenischer-energieversorger-will-flotte-elektrifizieren/, retrieved 11th
May 2021
44
Cf. https://www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/latest-fleet-news/electric-fleet-news/2021/07/30/fleets-have-key-role-to-play-in-uk-reaching-net-zero

EV Charging for Fleets | has-to-be.com | 13

STUTTGART AIRPORT: IKEA: ELECTRIFYING THE ‘LAST MILE’
APRON FLEET ALREADY ELECTRIC Another active EV100 Climate Group member is IKEA. The
Another example of best practice is the electrification of multinational furnishings concern has taken a bold stance
the apron area at Stuttgart Airport. Driven by the need for on sustainability – and climate-neutral transport and
climate action in the aviation industry – Flughafen Stutt- logistics systems are an important part of the strategy.
gart GmbH (FSG) has committed itself to reducing carbon The company’s stated goal in this context is “to have a
emissions to zero by 2050 – the airport’s management carbon-positive effect on the world by 2030,” according
opted to switch the entire apron fleet to electric power. to Claes Lindgren, Country Customer Fulfilment Manager
Given the apron fleet’s relatively short drives, on which at IKEA Distribution Services in Austria. As far as electri-
long stationary periods are a feature, along with regular, fying the last mile is concerned, the company wants to be
predictable journeys and positives in terms of maintenan- an example-setting leader and one of the first large retail
ce and occupational health & safety, it was a sensible firms to take a step in that direction. Lindgren continues:
step. Thus, FSG and Losch Airport Service Stuttgart, the
two partners in the scale up! project, both switched the
relevant segments of their fleets from diesel to electric dri- “Our main investment at the moment is at our
ve. In the latest phase of the project, further vehicle groups Central Distribution Center in Vienna. We are fully
were also able to be partially electrified as a result of the investing in owning the infrastructure asset ourselves. In
extensive experience gained with eMobility elsewhere in some of our smaller locations (what we call a ‘plan and
the fleet. Switching the wider Stuttgart Airport fleet as far order point’ or a ‘meeting point’), we may choose a hybrid
as possible in the next decade is under discussion.45 solution rather than owning and installing an infrastruc-
ture ourselves. Sometimes, for example, we don’t own the
building itself. In those cases, we may need to find a part-
ner or a different solution. In principle, however, we like
the idea of owning and investing in our infrastructure to
control our systems and steer the business ourselves.”46

IKEA operates a number of large-capacity 3.5/4-ton

trucks, meaning ultra-fast, reliable charge cycles are es-
sential. They can’t afford to lose time while their trucks are
charging, so they need rapid chargers.

Cf. Der Weg zur vollelektrischen Flughafenflotte – 2. Working Paper aus dem Projekt scale up!. Öko-Institut Working Paper 2/2020, July 2020, pg. 13
45

https://has-to-be.com/de/allgemein/be-connected-exclusive-interviews-claes-lindgren-ikea/
46

EV Charging for Fleets | has-to-be.com | 14

MERCEDES-BENZ: ZERO LOCAL EMISSIONS LA POSTE: EUROPE’S BIGGEST EFLEET
FOR TRUCKS FROM 2039 La Poste is considered one of the pioneers in the eVehicle
The European climate goals, under which the transport world. Of its 75,000-strong fleet, around 35,000 vehicles
sector is to be completely decarbonized by 2050, are are electrically driven. Altogether – including two and
having a significant influence on the transformation of three-wheeled vehicles – La Poste currently has the lar-
the commercial vehicles industry. They also play a major gest eVehicle fleet in the world: 48
role for Mercedes-Benz, says Marcel Bethscheider, Head
of Marketing and Product Management at Mercedes-Benz Additionally, La Poste is replacing its traditio-
Trucks Austria. A large proportion of goods are currently nally powered two-wheel vehicles and some of
transported by road and rail – with the figure in Austria it sfour-wheel vehicles with 1000 Quadéos elec-
approximately two-thirds road and one-third rail. The for- tric quads made by Ligier. The postal group also
mer mostly implies heavy goods vehicles, which naturally has 3000 Staby’s – three-wheel electric vehicles
affect carbon emissions. That’s why decarbonizing com- manufactured by Ligier – as well as 24,000 elec-
mercial transport through long-lasting efficiencies is an trically assisted bicycles made by Cycleurope and
important factor for the company in terms of reaching cli- Arcade. With these volumes, La Poste possesses
mate goals. Given the distance range the manufacturer the largest fleet of electric vehicles in the world.49
can offer, its fleet is to some extent already suitable for
full electrification, says Bethscheider. As a study from the
VCÖ (a public interest mobility and transport body) indicates, BMW: COMPANY CHARGING NETWORK
around 90 percent of domestic truck transport journeys in FOR EMPLOYEES AND VISITORS
Austria are shorter than 150 kilometers. Along with its partner E.ON Energie Deutschland, the BMW
Group has created one of the largest company charging
Locally emission-free transport by 2019 is central to the networks in Germany. The target? The firm wants to be
company’s vision, as Bethscheider explains: operating around 5000 charge points by the end of
2021, including over 1000 with eRoaming capability. By
the middle of 2021 they had already switched on 4350
“From 2039, we’ll only produce new trucks that charge points. Both BMW Group employees and external
are locally emission-free. The first steps here are users benefit from the new charging infrastructure. All
battery-electric, in the shape of our new eActros model, this is another clear statement that the BMW Group is
which we plan to launch in Austria later this year. It will be behind eMobility – a point underlined by Ilka Horstmeier,
deployed for regional heavy goods distribution. Following Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Human
the standard model, the eActros LongHaul, a battery-elec- Resources, Labor Relations Director:
tric truck tractor with a range of around 500 kilometers,
will follow in 2024. That’s our roadmap for the next three
or four years.”47

47
https://has-to-be.com/de/allgemein/be-connected-exclusive-interviews-marcel-bethscheider-mercedes-benz-trucks-osterreich/
48
Cf. https://www.fleeteurope.com/fr/financial-models//article/la-poste-runs-largest-electric-fleet-europe?t%5B0%5D=La%20Poste&t%5B1%5D=Fran-
ce&t%5B2%5D=Electric&curl=1
49
https://www.fleeteurope.com/fr/financial-models//article/la-poste-runs-largest-electric-fleet-europe?t%5B0%5D=La%20Poste&t%5B1%5D=Fran-
ce&t%5B2%5D=Electric&curl=1

EV Charging for Fleets | has-to-be.com | 15

 neon also places considerable emphasis on an infrastruc-
“eMobility’s market success is strongly dependent ture that makes it just as simple for employees to charge
on the charging infrastructure. The BMW Group their private eCars (including billing and payment) as it is
is among those contributing on this front, thus driving the for company and pool cars from multiple manufacturers.
transformation to sustainable mobility…With this compre- And charging company cars at home is also expected to
hensive expansion, we’re allowing for the increasing inte- be made possible for Infineon employees. Electricity costs,
rest in electric vehicles. In doing so, we’re also making it both at home and at work, will be transparently billed in
possible for even more employees and customers to get precise kilowatt-hour terms.53
excited about our electric vehicles and future mobility.”50
ATOS: AN ALL-ELECTRIC COMPANY CAR FLEET
BY 2024
The charge points are being installed at BMW properties French company Atos is planning to switch its global fleet
in Munich, Dingolfing, Landshut, Regensburg, Wackersdorf, of almost 5500 vehicles to eModels by the end of 2021. To
Leipzig, Berlin and Eisenach. The majority of these are al- achieve this, the leading worldwide digital transformation
ternating current (AC) wall units delivering up to 11kW. In provider and European market leader in cybersecurity,
addition to the AC charge points, around 60 direct current cloud and high-performance computing will install new
(DC) fast-charging consoles with a charging capacity of multi-vehicle charging stations at its locations.54 All in
50kW are also in operation. The Bavarian manufacturer is all, the group’s network of 100 stations will be expanded
also paying close attention to broader environmental con- to over 500 by 2024. And Atos employees will also be able
siderations: all its charge points are powered exclusively to charge their electric company vehicles at home in the
by regenerative energy. future.55

Thought has also been given to the BMW Group’s company Atos CEO Elie Girard says:
vehicle drivers. Within Germany, it will be possible for them
to charge up these cars at home.51 And with BMW Charging
and MINI Charging, the BMW Group also offers its customers “Given the climate crisis, we have a collective re-
the option to charge at home, at public charging stations or sponsibility to immediately introduce measures
at their workplace.52 to reduce carbon emissions. The switch to a fully electric
company vehicle fleet by 2024 is a major step towards rea-
INFINEON: INFRASTRUCTURE ching our net-zero goals by 2028, as well as an important
FOR COMPANY EVEHICLES signal to the market.”
Semiconductor manufacturer Infineon is striving for car-
bon neutrality by 2030. Among other things, this should
be made possible by the electrification of its fleet. Infi-

50
https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/deutschland/article/detail/T0338597DE/5-000-ladepunkte-in-deutschland-bis-ende-2021:-bmw-group-baut-betriebliches-
ladenetzwerk-fuer-e%E2%80%91mobilitaet-deutlich-aus?language=de
51
Cf. https://www.elektroauto-news.net/2020/bmw-groessten-betrieblichen-ladenetzwerke-baubeginn
52
Cf. https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/deutschland/article/detail/T0338597DE/5-000-ladepunkte-in-deutschland-bis-ende-2021:-bmw-group-baut-betriebliches-
ladenetzwerk-fuer-e%E2%80%91mobilitaet-deutlich-aus?language=de
53
Cf. https://www.elektroauto-news.net/2020/infineon-intelligente-ladeinfrastruktur-von-the-mobility-house
54
Cf. https://atos.net/de-at/2021/pressemeldungen-de-at_2021_04_14/atos-verpflichtet-sich-zum-betrieb-einer-rein-elektrischen-dienstwagenflotte-bis-2024
55
Cf. https://www.electrive.net/2021/04/01/atos-will-komplette-firmen-flotte-bis-ende-2024-elektrifizieren/

EV Charging for Fleets | has-to-be.com | 16

SCHINDLER: FRAUNHOFER:
CONVERTING ITS ENTIRE COMPANY CAR FLEET ‘CHARGE AT WORK’ RESEARCH PROJECT
In mid-2021, elevator maker Schindler Deutschland an- The Fraunhofer corporation wants to be climate-neutral
nounced that it would be switching its vehicle fleet to by 2030. With this in mind, around 40 Fraunhofer insti-
eCars. By the end of 2022, its carbon output compared to tutes will be equipped with a total of 500 charge points.
2017 should be down by 25%. Currently, its vehicle fleet The organization is thus setting up Germany’s largest
is responsible for two-thirds of emissions. By 2024, the network for charging infrastructure research. A mixed
majority of the 3000 vehicles in Schindler’s pool should network of AC charging consoles, wall units and DC chargers
be electric drive. The company will make home charging will provide research material for the broad Charge at work
stations for the eCars available to employees. And at research project, of which this electrification is a part.
Schindler’s larger premises around Germany, there are
plans for charging stations that will be partially powered The main premise is to make the charging infrastructure
by solar (PV) installations. 56
available for employees as well as company vehicle fleets
and third parties. Fraunhofer refers to ‘maximizing the
user circle’ and ‘maximizing capacity utilization’.57

56
Cf. https://www.electrive.net/2021/06/23/schindler-beschaeftigte-fahren-bald-elektrisch/
57
https://www.electrive.net/2021/04/29/fraunhofer-arbeitsplatz-laden-zum-forschen-und-fahren/

EV Charging for Fleets | has-to-be.com | 17

 CHALLENGES AND REQUIREMENTS.
What you need to know

Even though the odd entry barrier exists for some compa-
nies, the benefits of eMobility – such as lower energy and “An initial feasibility analysis, which gives an early
operating costs – outweigh the perceived disadvantages indication of whether a business’s transport acti-
when it comes to the high annual mileages typical for fleet vities are electrifiable at all, is a key element. Along with
vehicles. An electrified fleet can significantly raise both range and journey times, there are also legal stipulations
operational and environmental management efficiency.58 that need to be taken into consideration. For example, you
can’t use electric vehicles to carry dangerous goods. That’s
That means that the right time for fleet operators to in- an EU law.”
vest in eMobility is now. Or, in fact, yesterday! This was the
conclusion reached by a report Volkswagen AG published
in collaboration with The Mobility House – and that was For this reason, he recommends getting to grips with the
in 2018. It reads: operational and structural realities early on:

“Fleet operators who would like to invest in sus- “Developing a charging infrastructure can in cer-
tainable mobility are well-advised to start elec- tain circumstances involve extensive financial and
trifying their fleets now, because the lead time for setting time commitments. Our own experience tells us that com-
up the necessary infrastructure can be a good six to twelve panies should start thinking about this challenge a year
months or even longer, in part due to the reaction times of before they plan to get eTrucks on the road.”
electricity suppliers or approval authorities, delivery times
for desired equipment, and processing times for funding
applications.”59 Furthermore, he highlights applying for government sub-
sidies early as key. Applications should precede ordering
vehicles and/or construction, for example.
Heiko Selzam, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Trucks Austria, spells
out the challenges associated with electrifying commercial
fleet vehicles in these terms: “Some subsidies can be combined, while others
are subject to restrictions. Because of exactly the-
se three challenges, we’ve decided to offer our customers
‘eConsulting’ via a team created for that purpose.”

58
Cf. Electric charging for fleets. A compendium for building an electric charging infrastructure within the company. Version 1.0, December 2018. pgs. 3-5. https://www.
volkswagenag.com/presence/konzern/group-fleet/dokumente/Compendium_Electric_charging_for_fleets.pdf, retrieved 12th May 2021
59
Electric charging for fleets. A compendium for building an electric charging infrastructure within the company. Version 1.0, December 2018, pg. 6. https://www.volkswa-
genag.com/presence/konzern/group-fleet/dokumente/Compendium_Electric_charging_for_fleets.pdf, retrieved 11th May 2021.

EV Charging for Fleets | has-to-be.com | 18

STEP BY STEP There are two ways to achieve this:
To guarantee a seamless and lastingly successful tran-
sition, it’s best to take a step-by-step approach. That’s ■ AC Charging stations with an on-board charging device

according to Dr. Colin Herron, Managing Director of Zero inside the car. This device transforms the AC into DC.
Carbon Futures, an independent consultancy specializing ■ DC Charging stations with a rectifier in the charging
in low carbon vehicle technologies: station. The rectifier converts the current. DC charging
units are most often found where there is a high de-
mand for rapid charging – in locations near highways,
“The first thing you should know is that no one for example.
is doing a total fleet conversion. Unless you’re a
small florist with one or two vehicles, you will likely be con- Typically, in order to be prepared for the challenges and
sidering a graduated transition process.”60 opportunities of a future-proof charging infrastructure,
you should take the following functionalities and services
into consideration when choosing your backend operating
To stay flexible and independent throughout this step- system/provider:
by-step conversion process, has·to·be gmbh CEO Martin
Klässner advises scalable software that can adapt to your ■ A combination of CPO and MSP functions (administra-
requirements. “With interoperable software, you can get tion, monitoring and billing for charging stations and
used to the functionality and billing systems before you go charging cards)
ahead with a complete transformation,” he says. ■ Hardware neutrality and a high degree of scalability
■ The ability to map individual entities and substructures

(subsidiaries, franchise holders)

KEY CONSIDERATIONS ■ Access to data via an API and dashboard/export func-

What are the things to keep in mind when it comes to your tionality
fleet electrification? This can be boiled down to three con- ■ ‘DSGVO’ and ‘Eichrecht’ compliance (only applicable to

siderations essential to a seamless electrification process: Germany)

■ Flexibility to handle different currencies and tax rates

1. User groups and user behavior ■ A white label hotline service

Before you begin, perform a baseline appraisal. Which ■ A roaming aggregation service for MSP and CPO billing

journeys need to be completed daily and at what times?

Are they recurring routes? When and where do stationary 2. Identifying charge points and capacities
periods occur? Who will be driving the car? Are goods being To avoid any bad investments, you should determine the
transported?61 And what types of charging stations make overall load profile – in other words the property’s power
sense for your business – DC or AC? This is a very im- consumption at different times of day. Local load manage-
portant decision, because batteries can only store DC. Yet ment solutions with connections to battery or solar power
almost all everyday energy sources, such as household and systems can also present problems for large fleets. Appro-
industrial plug sockets, provide AC electricity. For an eCar’s priate solutions do however exist.
battery to be charged, a switch from AC to DC is required.

60
https://www.autonomy.paris/en/long-reads/the-5-minute-guide-to-electrifying-your-fleet/, retrieved 14th May 2021
61
Cf. https://www.mobilityhouse.com/de_de/ratgeber/7-schritte-zur-elektroauto-flotte

EV Charging for Fleets | has-to-be.com | 19

3. Load management – smart charging
To ensure your eCar fleet doesn’t have a huge effect on your Depending on the requirements at your location, a static
electricity bill, you should certainly take energy manage- or dynamic load management system can come into play.
ment into account. Instead of charging all your eCars at full A static load management system makes sense when you
capacity at the same time, which would mean requiring don’t have sufficient power input but still want to charge
additional energy for a short period, rather distribute your large numbers of eVehicles. With static management,
energy in a smart manner. This is possible with ‘smart char- the vehicle is allocated a specific charge capacity. With
ging’. Optimized usage of your grid connection comes via an dynamic load management, the load on the property’s buil-
intelligent management system. dings is also included. Because the difference between the
total connected load and building load can be used for EVs,
this variant allows for full flexibility.62
“Currently, eCars are charged as soon as they’re
connected to the charging station. Data shows
that for a substantial majority of eCars, this process
happens in the mornings and evenings. This is the exact
time when electricity prices typically reach their daily peak.
Because most eCars are connected to their charging stati-
ons for several hours, however, it’s also possible to charge
during cheaper periods.”

Cf. https://www.mobilityhouse.com/de_de/ratgeber/7-schritte-zur-elektroauto-flotte
62

EV Charging for Fleets | has-to-be.com | 20

The charging infrastructure issue: Who‘s charging where?

If you’re considering a move to electric for your company Most of the time, one of the biggest challenges is that
vehicle fleet, then it won’t be long before you come up companies don’t just need to charge their own fleets at
against the charging infrastructure issue. As the headline their premises. If you want to allow your employees and
for one of FleetEurope’s first articles in January 2021 read, clients to charge their personal cars at your business
“EV Drivers want more workplace chargers.”63 The basis location, then you’ve got different user groups with dif-
for this statement is a survey by the Ipsos Global Market fering entitlements. To be able to execute this with ma-
Research Institute, which involved 3600 people in the ximum efficiency, minimal time and effort, and, above all,
Netherlands, Germany, France, Belgium, Norway and the billing functionality, you need a smart, all-in-one software
United Kingdom. It showed that two-thirds of eCar drivers solution. Among other things, this should include profes-
saw a need for more charging stations at their workplaces. sional billing management.

The research discovered that 40% of EV drivers But how exactly are user groups defined in the context of
plug in their vehicles at work, although the majo- charging infrastructure for fleets? Fundamentally, you can
rity (72%) recharge their vehicles at home.64 assume the following three groups:

CHARGE
@HOME
CHARGE
@ PUBLIC
STATIONS

CHARGE
@WORK

63
E V drivers want more workplace chargers. https://www.fleeteurope.com/en/new-energies/europe/features/ev-drivers-want-more-workplace-char-
gers?a=JMA06&t%5B0%5D=EVBox&t%5B1%5D=Electric&t%5B2%5D=Chargepoint&curl=1, retrieved 15th May 2021
64
E V drivers want more workplace chargers. https://www.fleeteurope.com/en/new-energies/europe/features/ev-drivers-want-more-workplace-char-
gers?a=JMA06&t%5B0%5D=EVBox&t%5B1%5D=Electric&t%5B2%5D=Chargepoint&curl=1, retrieved 15th May 2021

EV Charging for Fleets | has-to-be.com | 21

1. EMPLOYEES CHARGING COMPANY EVEHICLES…

…on company premises …at home … at public charging stations

In Germany, if employees have access Another possibility is that drivers Consider systems that allow for fle-
to wall units for company eVehicle take their electric company cars xible charging anywhere in Europe.
charging at the company property, home and charge up the vehicles
then the process is tax-free. If em- there. Software solutions such as
ployers want to let their workers be.ENERGISED allow employers to
charge company eVehicles at the reimburse home electricity used to
firm’s base at no cost, RFID (radio- charge a company car. Beyond this,
frequency identification) cards are a government subsidies are making
good option. These cards can only be home charging stations affordable
activated by the relevant user group – and they’re easy to install. Emp-
– ensuring internal access rights loyees in Germany can also claim a
transparency for you as an employer. fixed rate for charging a company
eCar with their own power at home.65

2. EMPLOYEES WITH PERSONAL 3. EXTERNAL PEOPLE

EVEHICLES CHARGE… WITH ECARS CHARGE…
…at work …at your business premises
Some employees own their own eCars. To be able to use If you allow your visitors, service providers and clients to
designated charging stations at the company premises to charge their eCars at your company property, then you’ll
charge their private cars, one possibility is to give them an want them to be able to do so quickly and easily. For this
employee card. They can use the card to start the charging purpose, you can open your charging infrastructure to
session, with the bill issued in terms of kilowatt-hours. For third parties – known as inbound roaming. You can take
this purpose, go with software that allows you to bill emp- care of this by means of the be.ENERGISED COMMUNITY
loyees for charging their own cars. and define the fees for external clients in the be.ENER-
GISED backend. The software handles the rest on an
automated basis, then sends the bill in your name to the
respective mobility service provider.

65
Cf. https://www.energieloesung.de/magazin/e-auto-als-dienstwagen-wissen/

EV Charging for Fleets | has-to-be.com | 22

FLEET MANAGERS TAKE NOTE: MINIMAL POSITIVES FOR FLEET MANAGERS
TIME AND EFFORT, MAXIMUM OUTPUT Fleet managers benefit from switching to electric in the fol-
Fleet managers are responsible for the running of a com- lowing ways:
pany’s vehicle fleet. It’s a role involving a lot of coordination
and planning. Among other things, they also have to ensure Medium-term savings. This is thanks to the reduced need
that the fleet runs on an efficient and cost-effective basis. for maintenance and lower operational costs.
That’s why it’s important that any solution for fleet ma-
nagers is simple and structured – from initial setup to ac- A greener image. All miles covered with electric power are
tual operation. The question of costs can’t be ignored. Both climate neutral. eVehicles are a good way for a company’s
the investment and the ongoing running costs should be management to engage with sustainability without making
predictable and thus easy to calculate. No less significant changes to the company’s core activities.
is a positive user experience. Transparent, simple charging
and a personalized invoice, for example when charging at
home, are of central importance in this context.

NEW CHALLENGES FOR FLEET MANAGERS

Processes and structures for eCars
Until now, fleet managers were primarily expected to take
care of vehicle acquisition and maintenance, not day-to-day
fuel concerns. That’s a fundamental thing that changes in
the life of a fleet manager once electrification comes into
play. Linking up with the company’s existing systems is now
also an important point for them. That’s why it’s even more
important to choose plug-and-play solutions that are easy
to integrate.

How do I handle tax and legal issues?

Regulatory, tax and personal questions are different for
eCars than they are for ICE cars. But has·to·be offers a simp-
le solution here too.

EV Charging for Fleets | has-to-be.com | 23

 OPPORTUNITIES.
The road ahead

Sustainability and Environmental Social Governance have ■ Vehicle range is too short for the tasks in question,
now become important issues for many companies, with meaning frequent stops to charge.
senior management positioning businesses according to ■ Infrastructure shortcomings mean there are too few

these topics. Here, eMobility is more than just a nice op- charging stations (or gas stations offering charging)
tion to have. Investing in it can be understood as a mea- within easy reach.
ningful move in terms of image and marketing. ■ Electricity prices vary according to region and utility –

which leads to additional costs where employers don’t

And while eMobility is becoming an ever more important have their own charging consoles available.66
topic at management level, bringing eCars into the fleet is
loaded with benefits anyway. For example, self-generated The GPS systems developer recommends factoring in more
(green) electricity for charging stations reduces costs as than just cost when deciding whether to go with eCars in
well as dependencies on oil and gas prices. And compa- the fleet or not. When it comes to switching to eVehicles,
red to conventional cars, the investment in maintenance there’s also a lot of intangible value at work, such as a
and repair is usually lower. An intelligent, software-based positive image for the company and becoming more at-
eFleet management system allows for smart, efficient tractive as an employer. In the ‘war for talent’, this can in
vehicle deployment. And last but not least, the financial turn become a competitive advantage.67
subsidies, incentives and tax breaks from governments
make switching fleets to electric power an attractive
proposition. Why are so many companies hesitant, then?
Looking at its home market, German company Bornemann
sums up the obstacles to taking a fleet electric as follows:

https://bornemann.net/elektroautos-im-fuhrpark-nachhaltiger-trend-oder-nur-hype/
66

Cf. https://bornemann.net/elektroautos-im-fuhrpark-nachhaltiger-trend-oder-nur-hype/
67

EV Charging for Fleets | has-to-be.com | 24

The advantages of making the switch are clear for Mercedes- “In our experience so far, the operational cost delta drops
Benz Trucks Austria CEO Heiko Selzam: dramatically when a vehicle covers 40,000 kilometers
annually and the highway toll costs are high (thanks to the
“Alongside the climate politics aspect and a company’s savings on tolls, which in Austria amount to 75%). If the
natural thirst for innovation, it’s not least a question of company also generates green energy by means of its own
money. In the commercial vehicles sector, this is where solar installations, thus benefiting from low electricity
there’s a distinction to be made. On the one side, you’ve got costs, it can quickly pay off. That’s why we believe that
the light (N1) vehicles up to 3.5 tons; on the other, the medi- even in the heavy commercial vehicle category, it makes
um-weight and heavy (N2/N3) vehicles. Since the middle of sense to be thinking about these things. Battery-electric
this year, the first category has faced significantly increa- power is going to be a part of the journey towards emissi-
sed NOVA tax costs in Austria. Businesses have been faced on-free mobility. So, it’s only a matter of time before this
with paying an additional €20,000 when procuring a light technology really takes hold everywhere – and ‘early ad-
commercial vehicle. In this case, the switch to a light opters’ are often the ones to enjoy a competitive business
electric commercial vehicle implies financial advantages advantage over the longer term.”
from the very beginning, provided that the vehicle’s capa-
bilities meet the company’s needs. In the medium-weight
and particularly the heavy commercial vehicle classes,
the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for many businesses is
currently greater than that for diesel. However, depen-
ding on the vehicle’s intended purpose and the company’s
ecological ambitions, we are getting very close to the
TCO of a diesel vehicle in some industries such as waste
management or city/regional logistics. So, it does make a
lot of sense for companies to have their operations asses-
sed in terms of ‘eReadiness’.”

Selzam goes on to outline further strategic considerations

for fleet electrification: Heiko Selzam, CEO Mercedes-Benz Trucks Austria

EV Charging for Fleets | has-to-be.com | 25

THE TOP THREE REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD ‘GO FOR IT’

1 REDUCED COSTS 2 GO WITH THE ZEITGEIST

Fleet operators save money when they switch to Considering reduced noise and other options tailor-
eMobility. Most likely, the first thing that will come to mind made for fleet needs, many fleet drivers now prefer eCars.
will be the price of fuel. But that’s just one piece of the Paul Kirby of award-winning British EV leasing company
benefits puzzle. With eCars, you can avoid city-center Vanarama says:
and substantial parking charges in many cities. 40 cities
across Europe are already charging such fees in order to
reduce congestion and pollution. “Interconnected digital interfaces sharpen fleet
efficiency by providing commercial operators,
When changing a fleet to eCars, these things can save you drivers and service personnel with advanced digital solu-
thousands per year. And purchase costs for eCars are also tions not available in ICE vehicles. Real-time information
being put into perspective more and more. Savings can be can enhance your existing infrastructure. For example, you
made on the maintenance front too: eVehicles require far can receive automated routes and schedules, run shared
less maintenance, so your business will face fewer situa- mobility solutions, and increase depot and charging facility
tions where a van is stuck in the repair shop. efficiency.”

Tax incentives, government subsidy programs and a ge-

neral drop in prices due to increased competition in the In most cases, drivers don’t need to spend time ‘refueling’,
eMobility market mean you can now get a good eCar for a since they can charge their cars where they’re off-duty.
comparable price to a vehicle with an ICE engine. And on Fleet managers don’t need to supply employees with credit
top of that, the sale of cars and vans with ICE engines will cards or fuel cards either, since fleets using software such
be banned in the United Kingdom from 2030 – and from as that from has·to·be gmbh get a consolidated bill. That eli-
2035 in the European Union. minates the administrative hassle of gathering fuel receipts.

For large fleets, the possibility of bi-directional charging

is another major cost incentive. Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G)
technology effectively allows companies to use the elec-
tricity stored in their eVehicle fleets for other purposes,
thus dramatically reducing their annual electricity costs.

EV Charging for Fleets | has-to-be.com | 26

 Our state-of-the-art be.ENERGISED software: Scalable,
3 MAKE YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL
EFFORTS VISIBLE reliable and made for the customer
Many companies are now aware of the role environmental Why compromise on your eMobility software when there’s
action plays in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). And a product out there that takes care of all the requirements
the marketing potential in reducing carbon footprints is specific to fleets? has·to·be gmbh’s be.ENERGISED soft-
not to be underestimated. With eFleets, companies can not ware allows for the efficient management of your entire
only position themselves as ecologically aware but also charging infrastructure – and is tailor-made for fleets.
reach their CSR goals with relatively little effort. That’s
a win-win situation – and one that also applies to compa- Connect with an eMobility Solutions Partner near you
nies under investor pressure to be more sustainable. This If you’re considering converting your fleet to electric drive,
is a point underlined by sustainable transport consultant we recommend getting in touch with us for a free, no-obli-
Sara Sloman. However: gations consultation. We can then connect you with one of
our Solutions Partners in your area. This way, you can be
sure you’ll get the best region-specific service appropriate
“The window of opportunity in which to present to your business model.
your business as a green pioneer will close in the
next couple of years, since more and more fleets are swit- Become a Solutions Partner and offer your business
ching to eVehicles,”68 clients turnkey eFleet solutions
Thanks to an easy-to-use solution, our eMobility Soluti-
ons Partners are in a position to support their fleet clients in
says Dan Martin of British company Elmtronics/Hubsta, developing and operating their eFleets. Using be.ENERGI-
which won the GreenFleet Award two years in a row. SED, they can easily manage their clients’ charging infra­
structure, offering them complete solutions for charging
Essential to a successful conversion is a reliable platform at home, at work and on the road. Ask us about our Solu-
that’s simple to implement, always offers you a good, clear tions Partner Program and how you can become a leading
overview, takes work off your hands – through fully auto- eMobility provider for your fleet clients.
mated billing, for example – and can adjust quickly and
flexibly to fast-changing conditions and requirements. It’s
the perfect ally in a game as dynamic as eMobility.

68
The 5-Minute Guide to Electrifying your Fleet, retrieved 14th May 2021

EV Charging for Fleets | has-to-be.com | 27

ABOUT HAS·TO·BE GMBH
has·to·be paves the way to sustainable mobility. Between
has·to·be’s be.ENERGISED cloud software and their ran-
ge of cutting edge eMobility services, they offer everyt-
hing companies need to be successful when it comes to be.ENERGISED: The cloud software
EV Charging. That means anything from operating scala- solution from has·to·be gmbh
ble charging infrastructure to managing global mobility
services. has·to·be gmbh CEO Martin Klässner has been
a key driver in the eMobility field since as long ago as 40,000+
2008, developing the sector with a series of innovations. directly connected charge points
be.ENERGISED is thus the result of knowledge and experti-
se built up over more than a decade. It’s been validated and
deployed by top European eMobility service providers such 20+
as IONITY, EWE Go and Volkswagen, as well as market lea- certified Hardware Partners
ders in the petroleum, retail, energy, telecommunications
and automobile industries. Over 40,000 directly connec-
ted charging stations currently run on the software, which
handles both infrastructure operation and customer inter-
250,000+
faces for EV Charging. 15 million charging sessions have roaming charge points
already been carried out via the software. 1000 clients in
more than 45 countries now rely on be.ENERGISED.
45+
countries

15,000,000+
charging sessions completed

Correct as of: 11/2021

EV Charging for Fleets | has-to-be.com | 28

 IMPRINT.

Where not otherwise stated, the information contained in this document is the work of:

has·to·be gmbh Identification Numbers

Salzburger Straße 26 Austrian Sales Tax ID Number:
A-5550 Radstadt ATU68066335
Telephone: +43 6452 21200-80 German Sales Tax ID Number:
Fax: +43 6452 21200-22 DE303722550
https://has-to-be.com Austrian Data Register (DVR) Number:
Legal representative: Martin Klässner DVR-4015073

Legal registration CONTACT DETAILS

Registering office: Salzburg Provincial Court E-Mail: sales@has-to-be.com
(Landesgericht Salzburg) Telephone: +43 6452 21200-80
Company registration number: FN 399512v Website: https://has-to-be.com/de/kontakt
Regulating authority: St Johann im Pongau District Office
(Bezirkshauptmannschaft St. Johann im Pongau)
Occupational Group: IT Service Provider
Chamber of Commerce Membership: Salzburg
(Wirtschaftskammer Salzburg)
Professional Group: Consulting and IT

Authors
Christina Knauseder-Csipek, Content Factory
Sabrina Wurzer, has·to·be gmbh

Translation
Richard Asher

Layout & Design

Nora Fuchs, MISSNO DESIGN

LEGAL NOTES
The information contained in this document has been compiled with the utmost care and represents
the facts and regulations as of October 2021. The content is not guaranteed and has·to·be gmbh
assumes no responsibility for its timeliness, accuracy or completeness. All content, particularly
pictures, logos and graphics is the property of has·to·be gmbh or third parties, particularly iStock-
Photos. Any further usage or publication of the information in this document, or parts thereof, by
third parties or via other media, requires the express written permission of has·to·be gmbh.

EV Charging for Fleets | has-to-be.com | 29

eMobility powered by technology

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EV Charging for Fleets | has-to-be.com | 30