Why the Gardening and Arboriculture sector is leasing electric cars and vans and going green with more than just their profession

Electric Car and Van Leasing for the Gardening and Aboriculture sector-Going green is part of their profession 

Many limited companies and businesses in the UK are now at a stage of considering the move away from a petrol or diesel vehicle. For those operating in the green sector - tree surgeons, arborists, gardeners and forestry - what vehicle to operate is now more of a quandary. There are some great trade bodies on hand to give advice, like the Arboricultural Association  or The Gardeners Guild .

But at grassroots, the National Trust has recognised this aspect and is now making steps towards improving the infrastructure for those visiting and working in their remit. As you will note on the  National Trust  website, the Trust has already installed public charge points at several of its key locations, with a commitment to install even more throughout England and Wales. And having this underlying structure is so key as many of the reasons for not pursuing EV technology are related to the charging resources and the time involved.

Indeed, many news outlets are rehashing a piece of research, which was carried out by the RAC Foundation, which identified issues with phone signal and the charging experience. As many charge points will be mobile app-based, there will be a necessity for the driver to have access to a robust phone signal to complete the transaction.

While some of the e-car fleet will have access to Zap Pay , via our free Zap Map Premium bundle, there are some who do not utilise this because their finance company or leasing broker does not offer this resource.

In more remote locations, which is likely to fit many National Trust and forestry style locations, the RAC suggests that better wi-fi is required. For example by installing or providing hotspots or signal boosting via satellite internet.

Moving customers across to electric transport is centred around confidence and positivity; we have a collective responsibility to overcome these challenges and ensure our business and personal lease customers enjoy a considered experience.

Moving to electric, doesn’t just mean your car. For some businesses, the move to an EV can include a commercial vehicle. Because of this increasing demand, we now have a designated electric van lease section  so that some of our fleets and industry-specific clients can review this solution.

Using a combustion or electric van is relatively similar when it comes to taxation, so that conundrum is fairly simple to qualify. With many vans, you will use Hire Purchase or Contract Purchase to write-off the complete value of the vehicle under the full expensing rules. While the super-deduction ended in March 2023, the full-expensing for 100% capital allowances will continue to operate up to March 2026.

Plant and machinery does constitute a new van (not used) but does not include a combustion car for your reference. However, electric charge point infrastructure installation is full expensing. With contract hire, as a usership product, the tax treatment is a little different in that the initial rental and any monthly rentals (finance and maintenance) will be offset against corporation tax.

For VAT registered businesses you can reclaim 100% of the VAT on finance and maintenance, so long as the commercial vehicle is used for work purposes only. With a car / passenger vehicle, there is a restriction on the Vat and you can only reclaim up to 50% on the finance element but 100% on any maintenance aspect.

But don’t EVs get a Government grant?

As per the guidance from the Government    the financial contribution towards a zero-emission vehicle no longer includes a car. However, for small and large van operators, if you do utilise these vehicles you do get the following Van grant contribution .

•  Small Vans  must have less than 2500kg gross vehicle weight, emissions below 50g/km and be able to travel 60miles+ without emissions. If the vehicle qualifies, then a £2,500 discount in the form of a plug-in grant is available. Examples include the Citroen e-Berlingo, Nissan Townstar, Renault Kangoo and Vauxhall Combo-e; and
•  Large Vans  must have a 2500kg - 4250kg gross vehicle weight, emissions below 50g/km and be able to travel 60miles+ without emissions. If the vehicle qualifies, then a £5,000 discount in the form of a plug-in grant is available. Examples include Citroen e-Relay, Ford E-Transit, Maxus eDeliver, Peugeot e-Boxer, Vauxhall Vivaro-e and VW ID Buzz Cargo. 

Using an electric van isn’t just about moving to a more sustainable and green solution for the business. Utilising electric can represent a Whole of Life cost saving, in that the fuel, insurance and running costs can be collectively lower than a combustion alternative.

With many charging tariffs from energy companies, like the OVO Charge Anytime, able to offer considerable cheaper overnight charging sessions, this provides you with much cheaper fuel. And with many trades people in the gardening sector more likely to service local people, this does lend itself to these types of vehicles.

Smaller town and stop/start journeys are perfect for a BEV, with higher ranges available for this driving style compared to longer, and quicker, motorway routes. And when you factor in other elements, like the longer service schedules and cheaper servicing costs, the financial rewards are also more clear.

When you consider many of the UK’s cities, not just London, operate Clean Air Zones and Congestion Zones, there is an argument that future-proofing your business now against emissions-based charging would be a sage move.

For those landscapers and greenskeepers looking to add a car, as opposed to a van, to their fleet there is a still a swathe of good reasons.

For the directors and employees of the limited company, the beneficial rate of company car tax is immeasurable when you judge them against the petrol or diesel equivalent; there is almost a mortgage / rental amount saving when you compare the position.

Because the UK’s tax regime for a company car is emissions focused, the 0g/km which an EV offers ensures that the BiK is considerably lower. And with many electric cars now capable of 200 mile+ ranges (average of 238 miles as per our electric vaehicle range calculator, 150kW DC rapid charging capabilities, 6.54 second 0-62 times and an average towing capacity of 1345kg! Need we say more. Going electric is not a compromise. In many cases, particularly for smaller businesses, this offers an enhanced and cheaper driving experience.

In terms of the car shown, the Volkswagen ID.4 ESTATE 150kW Style Ed Pro Perform 77kWh 5dr Auto [125kW Ch] (Pure Electric Vehicle), this is based on the following configuration:

•  Glacier White Metallic Paint
•  Art velours microfleece cloth - Soul black/Platinum grey with Platinum grey/Soul black interior inserts
•  Black roof
• 19" Hamar black diamond turned alloy wheels 

But how does the ID4 2023 model perform?

The RWD SUV option will have a 77 kWh usable battery which will offer 0 – 62 times of 8.5 seconds, 99 mph top speeds and 150 kW (or 201 hp). Expect a combined winter range of 215 miles with warmer weather allowing for 290 miles.

On charging, the 11 kW AC max will allow 8 hours and 15 min 0 – 100% charging times with the 143 kW DC maximum allowing 27 minute 10 – 80% times. A cargo volume of 543L is available with this car. It has a vehicle fuel equivalent of 134 mpg. This option can tow 750kg (unbraked) and 1000kg (braked).

Browse our VW ID.4 deals

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