Zenith, a leading UK independent leasing and fleet management company, has reported very positive feedback from a trial of electric vehicles. The trial does indicate that electric vehicles have a future in business transport.
Employees have been using two Nissan Leaf models for the last three months, with the aim of assessing the real world viability of electric vehicles and in particular for fleets. Employees were given the opportunity to use the two vehicles for short, local trips or to book one for longer journeys or to use for up to a week at a time.
Nissan Leaf.
Tim Buchan, Zenith’s Chief Executive Officer commented, “This has been a very interesting exercise. Almost without exception, our employees love the Nissan Leaf to drive, but reservations remain around the range and charging the vehicles, particularly charging times and availability of charging points. Our employees really rated the cars for driving in the local area and they could save money on fuel by charging the cars at work. We believe electric vehicles do have a use for businesses, particularly as pool cars to be used for short journeys, for longer trips within the range or where there is an overnight stop when it can be charged. Improving charging times and practicality of charging would assist their take-up, as would increases in range. We know that manufacturers are working hard to improve technology and expect that these limitations will be overcome with further investment.
So it all comes back to range anxiety and ease of recharging for totally electric vehicles such as the Leaf. That will be the best selling point for the Chevrolet Volt, with its own on-board engine/dynamo to recharge on the run.
