Electric Vehicles vs. Diesel and Petrol: The Reasons Businesses Should Use EVs

For the sake of our planet, the world needs to use more electric vehicles.

But while it’s undeniably the biggest of deals, EV use is about far more than saving the environment. Whether it’s improving your brand image, saving costs or meeting changing regulations, going electric can improve every corner of your business (as a fully electric delivery company, we’re kind of experts on this).

We passionately believe every delivery company in the world should be doing all they can to go electric. Here are the reasons why 👇

Lower operating costs

Fuel is expensive, and recently in the UK it’s become more expensive than ever. Electricity is much cheaper and less prone to price fluctuations – and we’re not running out of it…

The cost of charging electric vehicles depends on a few different factors, including the vehicle itself, where you’re charging it and at what time. If we take the example of a Mercedes-Benz eSprinter that’s charging at home, it could cost up to 5p per electric mile. A diesel-powered Sprinter, on the other hand, could cost over 70p per mile travelled.

Less maintenance

All-electric vehicles simply have fewer moving parts and fluids to change, which ultimately means they don’t have as many maintenance demands.

This is a big win for any business with a fleet operation, because total cost of ownership is, well, costly. If your business falls into that bracket, you’ll know anything that can reduce your vehicle expenses is a very good thing.

Government and tax incentives

With their own environmental ambitions to reach, governments want more EVs on the roads – which is why they incentivise them.

While its incentives have changed over time, the UK government is still exploring ways to make EVs more financially attractive to people and businesses. There’s the Plug-In Grant – which recently switched focus from cars to electric vans, taxis and motorcycles – subsidised charger installations and no road tax (until 2025).

Reduced noise pollution

It’s not until you find yourself in an EV that you realise how loud petrol and diesel-powered vehicles are…

Noise pollution has become an increasingly important topic over the years – especially in busy (and loud) urban areas – and there are business benefits to quieter fleets. The big one is that you can gain the flexibility to operate throughout the night without causing disruption, which can improve your efficiency and your customer satisfaction.

Access low emission zones – without fines

Low emission zones have become a big focus for city authorities in their bid to reduce pollution and congestion. And here’s the thing: low emission zones aren’t going anywhere – in fact, they’re only expanding and becoming more stringent.

If your vehicles aren’t exempt you have the option of either a) entering low emission zones anyway and paying the fines, b) using public transport to get there, or c) no longer doing business in that zone. Of course, there is a fourth option: go electric!

Get ahead of regulations

Stricter emissions standards don’t only apply to cities. The following years and decades will see governments introduce new regulations to decentivise and phase out petrol and diesel-powered vehicles – the UK government is ending the sale of new vehicles by 2030.

Improved brand image

People like and reward brands that do progressive things with authenticity, especially when it comes to sustainability. It’s really as simple as that.

To give you some numbers – and plug our own research – 46% of Londoners would choose a retailer that uses EVs for deliveries over one using petrol or diesel power. That’s nearly one in every two people who are deciding to buy from your business or not based on what powers the vehicles you use.

Help save the planet

Last but not least, the small matter of this giant spinning mass we call home.

No more exhaust emissions; no more fossil fuels – you know all this already. But time is getting tight and we desperately need changes for the better. If none of the other reasons on this list have convinced you to make the switch, please let this one.