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FUNDAMENTALS OF \ EV VEHICLES
The era of two fuels is over – but which electrified vehicles are right for your fleet?
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Fleets are at the forefront of the biggest change in the history of transport. Electrification is a cornerstone of the UK’s 2050 net zero CO₂ goal, and the deadlines are approaching quickly.
The Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate already is already setting tougher year-on-year sales targets for manufacturers, as a pathway to phasing out petrol, diesel and hybrid cars and vans by 2035. That’s only a decade away, and the EU is working towards the same deadline.
However, electrification is happening in stages and fleets – who account for almost 60% of new cars and most new vans – have an unprecedented choice of technologies at their disposal. Here’s what you might encounter.
MILD HYBRID (MHEV)
The lightest form of electrification requires no change in driver habits. A mild hybrid adds a small motor-generator and battery to a conventional petrol or diesel engine, providing electric assistance while accelerating, recovering energy while braking and enabling the vehicle to coast for short distances without using any fuel. Additional costs are low – sometimes less than exhaust after-treatment for an equivalent diesel engine – with a claimed 5% improvement in fuel economy and almost no change to the driving experience.
e.g. Ford Puma EcoBoost Hybrid
Availability: MHEVs will be phased out in 2030
FULL HYBRID (HEV)
Full hybrids (sometimes called ‘self-charging hybrids’) are a familiar technology for fleets – Honda and Toyota have sold them in the UK for 25 years. Most have two electric motor-generators which are powerful to drive short distances (up to a mile) without using any fuel, but there’s no option to plug them in.
HEVs charge by harvesting energy that would otherwise be lost as heat or noise, then mete that energy out in short bursts throughout the journey to reduce fuel consumption.
e.g. Toyota Corolla Hybrid
Availability: HEVs will be phased out in 2035
PLUG-IN HYBRID (PHEV)
Bridging the gap with electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids are a HEV with a larger battery and the ability to charge using mains electricity – offering up to 70-80 miles of electric driving and the option to refuel like a petrol or diesel car when going further. Their low CO₂ figures and resulting tax efficiency have made them attractive for fleets, but real-world fuel efficiency depends on diligent charging and a journey mostly within the battery range. Long-distance drivers might find an efficient diesel, HEV or even BEV more suitable.
e.g. Volkswagen Tiguan eHybrid
Availability: PHEVs will be phased out in 2035
MILD HYBRID (MHEV)
The lightest form of electrification requires no change in driver habits. A mild hybrid adds a small motor-generator and battery to a conventional petrol or diesel engine, providing electric assistance while accelerating, recovering energy while braking and enabling the vehicle to coast for short distances without using any fuel. Additional costs are low – sometimes less than exhaust after-treatment for an equivalent diesel engine – with a claimed 5% improvement in fuel economy and almost no change to the driving experience.
e.g. Ford Puma EcoBoost Hybrid
Availability: MHEVs will be phased out in 2030
FULL HYBRID (HEV)
Full hybrids (sometimes called ‘self-charging hybrids’) are a familiar technology for fleets – Honda and Toyota have sold them in the UK for 25 years. Most have two electric motor-generators which are powerful to drive short distances (up to a mile) without using any fuel, but there’s no option to plug them in.
HEVs charge by harvesting energy that would otherwise be lost as heat or noise, then mete that energy out in short bursts throughout the journey to reduce fuel consumption.
e.g. Toyota Corolla Hybrid
Availability: HEVs will be phased out in 2035
PLUG-IN HYBRID (PHEV)
Bridging the gap with electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids are a HEV with a larger battery and the ability to charge using mains electricity – offering up to 70-80 miles of electric driving and the option to refuel like a petrol or diesel car when going further. Their low CO₂ figures and resulting tax efficiency have made them attractive for fleets, but real-world fuel efficiency depends on diligent charging and a journey mostly within the battery range. Long-distance drivers might find an efficient diesel, HEV or even BEV more suitable.
e.g. Volkswagen Tiguan eHybrid
Availability: PHEVs will be phased out in 2035
BATTERY ELECTRIC VEHICLE (BEV)
A battery electric vehicle has no combustion engine at all. They feature an even larger-capacity battery supplying power to one or more electric motors, and they are evolving quickly. There’s an ever-increasing choice of bodystyles available, most new models offer a range in excess of 200 miles, and ever-faster charging means drivers can replenish a most of that range in less than half an hour. With rated CO₂ emissions of 0g/km, BEVs also qualify for the most attractive financial incentives for fleets.
e.g. Tesla Model Y
Availability: MHEVs will be phased out in 2030
FUEL CELL ELECTRIC VEHICLE (FCEV)
A fuel cell vehicle is effectively a BEV that can make its own electricity, instead of storing that energy in a large battery. The system combines oxygen from the air with hydrogen stored on board, producing electricity for an electric motor. Range and refuelling times are similar to liquid fuels, but adoption is restricted by high costs, sparse infrastructure and a limited supply of green hydrogen (from renewable energy). Expect commercial vehicles – where range and payload are critical – to be the earliest adopters.
e.g. Toyota Mirai
Availability: MHEVs will be phased out in 2030
BATTERY ELECTRIC VEHICLE (BEV)
A battery electric vehicle has no combustion engine at all. They feature an even larger-capacity battery supplying power to one or more electric motors, and they are evolving quickly. There’s an ever-increasing choice of bodystyles available, most new models offer a range in excess of 200 miles, and ever-faster charging means drivers can replenish most of that range in less than half an hour. With rated CO₂ emissions of 0g/km, BEVs also qualify for the most attractive financial incentives for fleets.
e.g. Mini Cooper Electric, Tesla Model Y
Availability: ZEVs, so no phase-out date
FUEL CELL ELECTRIC VEHICLE (FCEV)
A fuel cell vehicle is effectively a BEV that can make its own electricity, instead of storing that energy in a large battery. The system combines oxygen from the air with hydrogen stored on board, producing electricity for an electric motor. Range and refuelling times are similar to liquid fuels, but adoption is restricted by high costs, sparse infrastructure and a limited supply of green hydrogen (from renewable energy). Expect commercial vehicles – where range and payload are critical – to be the earliest adopters.
e.g. Toyota Mirai
Availability: ZEVs, so no phase-out date
“
As the Drive to Zero continues, balancing the requirements of fleets and businesses is an ongoing challenge.
In talking to our customers, carbon reduction remains the primary reason for LCV fleets to transition from diesel and petrol to electric vehicles. Meeting customer requirements is a key factor in their decision-making, as Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) plays an ever more important role in tendering.
As part of this, Electric Vehicles (EVs) come into play. EVs need to form part of a wider vehicle fleet solution; which means considering aspects such as initial outlay, running costs, total cost of ownership (TCO) and charging needs at home/work/on-the-go.
At Northgate we’re here to help customers cut through the noise and guide them by analysing fleets, explaining what is needed and providing turnkey solutions in areas such as charging infrastructure (commercial, domestic and on-the-go) and how this works with flexible rental packages and subscription models.
Spencer Davi UK sales & marketing director, Northgate T: 03301 081 960
