So do all hybrids have to be plugged-in? You need start by making a clear distinction between a hybrid and a Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV). These are not synonymous concepts. With a hybrid, commonly found in Toyota and Lexus product, there is an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) being used in conjunction with an electric motor. While many of the products focus on petrol vehicles, there are small pockets of diesel alternatives emerging. A hybrid allows the driver to benefit from small “electric-only” travel for around 2-3 miles or for the electric motor to supplement the engine while travelling. The lithium-ion battery charges when the vehicle moves and brakes. The hybrid is seen as a more convenient vehicle as it does not require an external charging i.e. you DON’T need to plug the vehicle into an external source. Some manufacturers will refer this to as a “mild” or “self-charging” hybrid. For the very eco-minded the standard hybrid might not offer the electric-only driving they need; it will offer lower CO2 and enhanced combined MPG which are key considerations for company van drivers.
In contrast, a PHEV will need some external charging to happen. As the van has a bigger lithium-ion battery, the movement/braking would not sufficiently charge the battery. The advantage of using a PHEV is that the battery will allow the driver to travel for a much higher distance than a hybrid – between 15-50 miles van dependent. The improvements in battery technology is allowing the PHEV to travel much further on the electric component. For those with a 40-50 mile range, this is going to accommodate many journeys. However, the back-up of a petrol or diesel engine does offer comfort that if the van has insufficient charge the vehicle can still move. There are some great examples of PHEV vehicles which are very popular – BMW 330e, Mercedes E400de, Outlander PHEV and the Hyundai Ioniq. Whether a prestige/premium brand or a cheaper brand, manufacturers are utilising this technology more and more. Expect 2020-21 to be the years of the PHEV. For the company van driver there is the advantage of much lower CO2 emissions and lower BiK exposure. However, the crucial point to note is that you do need to charge the battery regularly in order for it to operate. If you don’t charge it, you rely on the combustion element only and you can end up with an inefficient vehicle. This is where customers do get frustrated with PHEV – it is very much a user error situation.
So how do I charge the van? The individual customer has a number of choices – charge the vehicle at work (if your employer provides the facilities), use service stations/petrol stations (this can be expensive) or investigate a home charger. As part of assisting customers, the Government is providing grants to help with the cost of installation. For further details on the Government grant please see – https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/government-grants-for-low-emission-vehicles. In practice the charge point installation company organise all of the grant paperwork on your behalf. When a customer orders a vehicle via our Van-E-Lease team they will receive an introduction email to our nominated supplier –
The email sent to the customer involves some key facts about their products, the details of which can be found below. Van Website cannot recommend Raw Energy to you nor is it compulsory for you to use their services; however, they are an experienced team of energy professionals who can introduce you to one of the best home charge points solutions – ChargePoint.
When you are looking to arrange a charge point, you need to ensure that you have off-road parking and you need to be aware that an electrician will need to install this onto your property. This involves an element of electric adjustments to your property; they don’t simply stick a box on your home! As part of the initial due diligence you will complete a form to describe your property, take photos of the outside and also send photos of your distribution box (your panel board/electric panel). If your wiring is old, you may need to organise a re-wire before being able to continue. Once the survey has been completed, you will be provided with a full quotation which can anywhere from £645 for a basic model and £1000 for the premium option. The latter offers a tethered cable so you don’t need to get one out of your vehicle and will offer an efficient 7.4kW charging solution. For many PHEVs this allows a full charge in under 3 or 4 hours. For the pure electric vehicles this will take between 7-12 hours depending on the van’s battery size and the charging speed.
For more details on the Raw Energy proposition, please see below:
Home EV Charging Solutions
Here at Van Website in partnership with RAW Charging, we understand that our customer base has a range of home charging requirements. So we have provided both a basic, cost effective option (EO Mini Pro) and also a premium option (ChargePoint CPH32) for drivers wanting the most seamless charging experience.
The EO Mini is currently the smallest fast charger available on the EV market, designed to neatly blend into any environment. The mini charger is a simple Electric Vehicle charging point ideal for home charging. This basic unit is equipped with a with a Type 2 socket which keeps this model simple and compact. The EO Mini is backed by a 3 year manufacturer warranty. *Note that unless expressly noted otherwise your van will NOT come with the Type2-Type2 cable required for this charger £645 including installation with the OLEV Grant* EO Mini Pro*see domestic installation terms and OLEV Eligibility questions
Image result for chargepoint cph 32ChargePoint® CPH32
The Tethered cable ChargePoint CPH32 is a premium WiFi Enabled Electric Vehicle Charger and brings smart charging into your home. The ChargePoint CPH32 is one of the smallest and most advanced home electric vehicle chargers on the market, offering high speed and convenience in a ultra-sleek and sophisticated, durable design. The bundled APP can control the charger and also be used to access public charge points. Simply connect, not further cables are needed.
Starting from £1,000 including installation with the OLEV Grant*
EO Mini Pro – 7.4kW Single Phase AC Charger
The EO App allows you to connect to the charging station to monitor its status and to set scheduled charging periods from within the same WiFi connection zone. Note: the App cannot be used to access public charging stations. You can also access the functions shown below through the JuiceNet web portal (as shown below)