Electric vehicles are here to stay, and The Apertus Group has taken another important step towards easing clients’ move into an environmentally friendly future with a key appointment to the team.
Car charging specialist Nick Murphy joined The Apertus Group in October to complement the work already being done by the group’s vehicle leasing team and energy specialists. Installing electric vehicle charge points at drivers’ homes and workplaces is a key aspect of making life with an electric model as straightforward as possible.
The sale of petrol and diesel vehicles will be banned from 2030, and around 80% of new cars are electric, and with most cars leased on three-year plans, that means that all contracts will need to move to electric within the next two lease renewals.
As Business Development Manager at The Apertus Group, Nick will be building on the success of introducing electric vehicles to the leasing fleet by highlighting the benefits of businesses installing car charge points for employees and visitors, as well as potentially recouping more of the cost by offering generally available points for use by all drivers.
“People are buying into the idea of electric cars,”
said Nick.
“Almost all new lease cars now are electric and although there will be petrol and diesel models available through to and after 2030, it’s very likely that things like road tax and congestion charges will become punitive to discourage their use.
“The fact is though, at the moment, people are not always convinced by the infrastructure in its current form. If you’re making a long journey in an electric car there is no doubt you need to plan it carefully. There’s information available to help you plan a route based on charge points, but people worry they will get there and the charger isn’t working – then you have a problem. Even if it is working, it can mean up to half an hour or so sitting waiting for the car to be topped up, so you do need to build your journey round your car.
“So, what we’re doing is something of a hand-holding exercise, guiding clients through the move towards electric vehicle, and while things have obviously got to improve as more electric cars come onto our roads, it does offer some opportunities for businesses.”
Although the government incentive that offered discount on home car charging points has now ended, there is a scheme that offers workplaces £350 (around a quarter of the cost) back on anything up to 40 chargers, representing a decent saving for those looking to install a bank of chargers for use at work.
The Apertus Group team is available to help plan the installation of chargers, with careful consideration given to how they can be incorporated into an existing car park area without the need for groundworks, although laying cabling can be carried out if the customer has a preference for a configuration that needs it.
In addition, The Apertus Group is keen to promote the idea of businesses installing additional points on the edge of their sites, perhaps outside security gates or in the car parks of pubs or coffee shops, for use by members of the public.
Nick said:
“Most workplaces have a standard tariff for employees, or sometimes even provide them free of charge, but it is possible to add a premium tariff so that the business gets a faster return on their investment.
“For businesses located close to major road links, there’s potential for drivers making a short detour, knowing they can find a pub or a coffee shop with a charge point, so they can have a relaxing break and good food while they wait. Independent businesses are also more likely to maintain the charge points, so that drivers don’t have the frustration of arriving and finding there’s nowhere to top up.
“There are many opportunities available, and my job at The Apertus Group is to help businesses make the most of something that is going to be more and more of a necessity over the next few years.”
Find out more about electric vehicles and charging points by contacting The Apertus Group on 01604 212828 or email: installations@apertusgroup.co.uk
Visit The Apertus Group website: apertusgroup.co.uk
Car charging specialist at The Apertus Group