Switching to electric mobility is a strategic move for businesses — and no, it’s not as complicated as it sounds. The key is to ask the right questions from the outset. From defining your actual needs and controlling costs, to building the right charging infrastructure and engaging your employees, this article walks you through 15 essential questions to help you build a sustainable and effective EV strategy.
Key takeaways
- Define your needs: analyse routes, usage patterns, and the number of vehicles to be converted.
- Understand the regulatory framework: stay informed about local policies, charging obligations, and government targets.
- Choose the right vehicles: compare technologies and optimise total cost of ownership (TCO).
- Plan charging infrastructure: identify key locations, choose the right charge point types, and ensure remote management.
- Engage employees: provide training, user-friendly tools, and support behavioural change.
- Control costs: monitor tariffs, track expenses, and define internal cost management rules.
Define your needs to lay the foundation for your EV project
1. What types of journeys do your employees make?
Short urban commutes, regional trips, long-distance business travel or even international routes — all of these scenarios will impact your choice of vehicles. Analysing average routes, travel frequency and journey types is a key first step towards a successful EV transition.
2. How many vehicles are affected in the short, medium and long term?
It can be tempting to review and replace your entire fleet at once. But in most cases, a phased transition is a smarter, more sustainable approach.
By identifying how many vehicles will be converted at each stage (e.g. 10% in year one, 30% the following year, etc.), you can define a progressive strategy that aligns with your investment capacity, internal skills development, and the pace of technological advancements — while also taking into account any government grants available.
3. Quels sont les usages des véhicules au sein de l’entreprise ?
Delivering equipment, travelling for sales meetings, or transporting people — each use case comes with its own constraints.
A clear understanding of how your vehicles are used will help you choose the right models, accurately estimate the total cost of ownership (TCO), and ensure the best match between range, charging options and vehicle availability.
Understand the regulatory framework to anticipate obligations
4. Is my fleet subject to low-emission vehicle targets?
Depending on your sector and operations, your organisation may be subject to increasing environmental and fleet decarbonisation requirements. These include UK-specific policies such as the Workplace Charging Scheme, EV infrastructure requirements for new non-residential buildings, and corporate sustainability reporting frameworks.
Knowing where your fleet stands in terms of emissions and compliance enables you to set realistic goals — and avoid potential penalties in the future. A full audit of your current fleet is often the best place to start.
5. What are my obligations regarding EV charge point installations?
In the UK, new and renovated commercial buildings with parking spaces must increasingly comply with EV infrastructure requirements set out in the Building Regulations 2022. Identifying which of your sites fall under these obligations allows you to factor installation into your energy transition roadmap — and take advantage of available government grants, such as the Workplace Charging Scheme or the EV infrastructure grant for staff and fleets.
Choose the right vehicles to optimise performance
6. What’s the difference between a hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fully electric vehicle?
- A hybrid vehicle (HEV) combines a petrol or diesel engine with an electric motor, but cannot be plugged in — the battery is recharged while driving.
- A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) can be recharged using a charge point, but still includes a combustion engine for longer journeys.
- A fully electric vehicle (BEV) runs entirely on electricity and has no combustion engine.
Understanding these differences helps you choose the most suitable models based on actual usage patterns across your fleet.
7. How can I optimise total cost of ownership (TCO) based on employee profiles?
TCO goes far beyond the purchase price. It includes energy costs (fuel or electricity), maintenance, insurance, tax, resale value and more.
While EVs may come with a higher upfront cost, they often prove more economical over time — thanks to lower maintenance requirements and favourable tax treatment (e.g. reduced BiK rates for company car drivers).
By analysing employee usage profiles — including mileage, trip frequency and required range — you can maximise the return on investment (ROI) for each vehicle while reducing your carbon footprint.
Plan your charging infrastructure from the outset
8. Where will vehicles be charged?
Your charging strategy should reflect how your vehicles are used: home charging for employees, on-site charging at company premises, or public charging while on the road.
Striking the right balance between these options helps minimise downtime and optimise charging costs across your fleet.
9. What type of charge point should I choose based on usage?
Choosing between AC (alternating current) and DC (direct current) charge points depends on your vehicles and charging time availability.
AC chargers are ideal for longer charging sessions — for example overnight or during off-peak hours — while DC fast chargers are better suited for short time windows where quick top-ups are needed.
It’s also important to anticipate future usage patterns to avoid under-dimensioning your infrastructure from the outset.
10. Should I implement a charge monitoring or reimbursement system?
If employees charge their vehicles at home, it’s often worth setting up an automated reimbursement system for electricity costs.
A charge management platform allows you to monitor consumption, detect anomalies, and optimise how charge points are used across your fleet.
These tools bring much-needed transparency for accounting, HR and fleet management — and can support compliance with HMRC regulations on benefits-in-kind (BiK) and company car usage.
Engage employees in your EV transition
11. How can I train and raise awareness among teams about EV driving?
Driving an electric vehicle requires a few new habits — from range planning and anticipation to eco-driving techniques.
Simple training modules or practical workshops can help employees feel more confident behind the wheel. Raising awareness about the benefits of electric mobility — such as environmental impact, comfort, and reduced stress — is also a great way to overcome common misconceptions and encourage adoption.
12. What tools can I provide to make public charging easier for employees?
A mobile app to find charging stations, an interoperable RFID charging card, a practical user guide, or even dedicated internal contacts — all these tools can make a real difference. They help reassure employees and give them the autonomy they need to manage charging confidently during their day-to-day work.
Keep costs under control to secure your EV budget
13. Do I fully understand public EV charging tariffs?
Let’s face it — understanding public charging tariffs can quickly become confusing. Prices vary depending on the charge point operator (CPO), the power level, the time of day, and any subscription plans in place.
Having a clear grasp of how pricing structures work allows you to guide employee behaviour effectively — and communicate transparently with users to avoid unexpected costs.
14. What tracking tools can I use to monitor charging expenses?
Effective cost control starts with the right tools — such as dashboards, monthly reports, and real-time monitoring systems.
These insights allow you to compare costs across different charging locations, identify unusual patterns or potential misuse, and optimise charging behaviours. It also provides a powerful way to demonstrate the economic benefits of your EV transition to internal stakeholders.
15. Should I set spending limits or internal usage rules?
Yes — especially if your company covers part or all of employees’ charging costs.
Setting budget caps, preferred charging time windows, or clear usage policies helps maintain a fair and controlled framework.
These rules should be communicated clearly from the start of the project to avoid misunderstandings and ensure employee buy-in.
Conclusion
Successfully transitioning to electric mobility isn’t about knowing everything from day one — it’s about knowing where to start. By structuring your thinking around these 15 key questions, you can avoid common pitfalls, improve operational efficiency, and bring your teams on board with a meaningful, future-proof project. Planning ahead, supporting your people, and communicating clearly are the foundations of a long-term, sustainable EV strategy.
