Are EVs a good fit for your small business?

Looking at actual utilisation can help identify the vehicles in your fleet that may be best suited to electrification.

2. Look beyond the EV purchase price

Comparing sticker prices won't necessarily tell you which vehicle will cost your business less over time.

A more complete comparison should consider the total cost of ownership, including:

• Electricity or fuel

• Servicing and maintenance

• Insurance

• Charging infrastructure

• Depreciation

• Expected resale value

The balance will vary between businesses and vehicles, so looking at whole-of-life costs can help you make a more informed comparison between an EV and petrol, diesel or hybrid alternatives.

3. Work out where your vehicles will charge

A workable charging plan is an important part of operating business EVs.

Consider whether vehicles can regularly charge at your workplace or depot, whether employees may need to charge at home, and when public charging could be required.

You may also need to consider:

• Charging equipment and installation

• Electricity capacity at your premises

• Vehicle downtime and charging times

• Access to public charging on regular routes

• How employee charging costs will be managed or reimbursed

Working through these questions early can help determine whether EVs are practical for the way your business operates.

4. Make sure the EV suits the work

Your business still needs the right vehicle for the job, regardless of how it's powered.

Before choosing an EV, consider:

• Driving range

• Payload and carrying capacity

• Towing requirements

• Vehicle size and configuration

• Charging requirements

• Availability of suitable models

You don't necessarily need to transition every vehicle at the same time.

Some roles may be well suited to EVs now, while other vehicles may be better transitioned later as your requirements or available vehicle options change.

5. Think about your future fleet needs

The decision to introduce EVs can be a useful opportunity to review your wider fleet.

Which vehicles are being fully utilised? When are they due for replacement? Could your vehicle requirements change as the business grows? Where are your biggest operating costs?

Looking at EVs as part of your overall fleet strategy can help you prioritise the vehicles where a change is likely to deliver the most value.

Are EVs a good fit for your business?

For some New Zealand small businesses, EVs may fit naturally into everyday operations. For others, a mix of EV, hybrid, petrol or diesel vehicles may make more sense.

The important thing is to base the decision on how your vehicles are actually used, the work they need to perform and the whole-of-life costs involved.

Electrification doesn't need to be an all-or-nothing decision. A considered, staged approach can help you introduce EVs where they make sense for your business.

^{*Disclaimer: This information is general in nature and does not consider your business objectives, financial situation or specific circumstances. You may wish to seek independent advice when assessing which vehicle option is appropriate for your business.}