E-mobility in companies: Gradual transition recommended

The transition to e-mobility in companies is popular. Whether it is also cost-effective depends on many factors. Experts recommend a step-by-step approach.

This article is part of the special topic Electromobility for trades and medium-sized businesses

A hasty transition to e-mobility in companies can be associated with operational and financial risks. Experts recommend a step-by-step approach. Many companies learn the hard way when converting to alternative drive systems. They rely too heavily on the performance promises in manufacturers' catalogs when purchasing vehicles.

"Not every green drive is automatically environmentally friendly – ​​and if used incorrectly, it may be too expensive," says Axel Schäfer, Managing Director of the Federal Association for Corporate Mobility (BBM)It depends on the usage profile – not just from a technical perspective.

Vehicles are only worthwhile if they meet the defined requirements in a cost-effective manner. Therefore, decarbonizing mobility is a decision of significant significance.

"It is important to find out at what point the total costs of the new technologies are likely to be lower than those of fossil fuels," says Majk Strika, Managing Director of the company specializing in commercial and industrial fleets Fleet manager and lessor Holman.

You might also be interested in:

Operations management

Federal government subsidizes charging stations at apartment buildings: also for SMEs

Operations management

"Accounting belongs in the business"

Operations management

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs): Loan negotiations remain difficult

For example, the purchase prices of electric vehicles, at least currently, are sometimes significantly higher than those of comparable combustion engines. Skeptics often use this as an argument against their introduction. On the other hand, they have significantly lower maintenance costs, and refueling is generally cheaper. When considering the total cost of ownership (TCO), an electric vehicle can be cheaper after just a few years. The extent to which this applies to specific vehicles and applications is another matter entirely.

Investment booster promotes e-mobilityThe Federal Government's immediate investment program provides new funding for new and purely electric vehicles purchased as company cars between June 30, 2025, and before January 1, 2028. These vehicles qualify for a particularly high depreciation rate of 75 percent. The price cap will be raised from €75.000 to 100.000 euros per car increased (gross list price). This is explicitly intended to make the purchase of electric vehicles more attractive for all companies, including SMEs, and support the transition to environmentally friendly mobility. Ten percent can be deducted in the year following purchase, five percent each in the second and third subsequent years, three percent in the fourth subsequent year, and two percent in the fifth subsequent year. Read more about the investment booster here

Controlled, phased introduction

Expert Strika advises a controlled, gradual introduction of new technologies. He recommends initially converting a manageable portion of the vehicle fleet. This allows vehicle- and sector-specific experience to be gathered and analyzed to determine how fleet performance and cost structure change.

If the results don't meet expectations, the correction would involve comparatively little effort due to the small number of affected vehicles. Depending on the outcome, the strategy could be adjusted and gradually rolled out to other fleet segments.

The "E" also stands for Economy

However, fleet transformation is not just about introducing new drive technologies; it also requires a fundamental reassessment of existing processes. When long-established procedures are questioned in the course of a technological transition, unexpected opportunities for optimization and restructuring often arise.

The "E" stands not only for electric energy, but also for economy. However, many companies are ill-prepared for the challenges this entails. According to experts at Dataforce, the leading market research firm specializing in commercial mobility, over half of fleets rely on Excel spreadsheets for data collection and analysis.

Modern IT is the key

In order to carry out the necessary evaluations, however, powerful Fleet management softwareReporting tools and software solutions achieve their full potential when they are fed with as much data as possible from invoice audits and processes that affect a vehicle's life cycle.

"That's why integrated offerings from experienced fleet management companies are significantly superior to the isolated solutions offered by IT service providers," says expert Strika. They enable fleet managers to identify cost drivers and confidently manage the increasing complexity of their fleet. This is especially true since modern electric vehicles and hybrids fall far short of their potential without IT infrastructure. They have extensive data storage, the potential of which can only be fully exploited with the help of appropriate software.

These programs not only lay the foundation for a successful transition but also enable detailed analyses, rationalization, and cost savings in the long term. This makes sustainable and cost-effective green mobility a reality.

Because decisions and measures once taken can only be revised at great expense, it is advisable, depending on the size of the fleet, to rely on external expertise and experience with the conversion.

This is especially true given the dynamic developments in electromobility and their regulatory framework. It's also important to know what manufacturers have in store and, if necessary, wait for technical developments.

Develop a long-term sustainability plan

All of this impacts the fleet's total cost of ownership: acquisition, operating, and overhead costs, resource consumption prior to commissioning, and, not to mention subsequent remarketing. Furthermore, not only the on-site fleet but also the charging infrastructure at employees' homes must be considered. The investments for this are often substantial and must be carefully calculated.

Strika: "All of this should not be done under time pressure, but should be incorporated into a long-term sustainability plan that is implemented step by step at the right times."

DHB now also digital!Simply click here and register for the digital German Crafts Journal (DHB)!