PCO chauffeurs, while on the go in London or other urban UK cities, do ponder whether to switch to an Electric luxury fleet (EV). With more folks turning green with transport, booking an EV is a sought-after choice among PCO chauffeurs. But before they switch, they do have some questions. Here at Primal Cars UK Ltd, we help you make an informed decision.
What is an EV, and Why Should I Consider Renting One?
An EV, or an Electric luxury fleet, is a motor powered by electricity instead of a petrol or diesel motor. It possesses an electric motor to drive the wheels, and it operates itself from batteries.
Why would I book an EV?
The reasons below are some of the reasons why booking an EV might be the best option for a PCO chauffeur:
Environment Friendly: EVs do not emit tailpipe pollutants. They produce less pollution, especially in cities like London.
Lower Running Costs: EVs cost less to run than diesel or petrol cars. Charging an EV is less expensive than filling up.
Congestion Charge-Free: EVs are exempt from congestion charges in certain cities. That’s money saved every day.
Silent Driving: Electric cars are very quiet, so the ride feels smooth and nice for both chauffeurs and passengers.
Government Help: The UK government gives money and tax help to people who choose electric cars.
How Is Renting an EV Different from Renting a Petrol or Diesel Car?
Renting an EV is the same as renting a petrol or diesel car, with just some variation. Keep reading for the information you need to know:
Charging Instead of Refuelling: The biggest difference is that instead of refuelling with petrol or diesel, you will charge the car in an EV. Charging points exist everywhere in the UK, but it would be a good idea to know more about them before your shift.
Range of the EV: An EV can only travel so far on a single charge. This is the range of the luxury fleet. Be cautious and make booking so as not to get stranded with no charge left.
Charging Time: Charging an EV can take anywhere from 30 minutes to hours, depending on the charging station and the battery size of the luxury fleet.
Less Maintenance: EVs have fewer moving parts compared to petrol or diesel cars. This results in less wear and tear, and hence less maintenance will be needed.
How Far Can I Drive on a Full Charge?
The most frequently asked question for PCO chauffeurs is an EV’s range. Range is how far an EV can travel on a full battery. Each model has a different range, but all EVs travel from 150 to 300 miles on a fully charged battery.
If you use an EV for work, then you should check your car’s range before you leave for work. This will help you plan your route and not be out of charge. If you use your car extensively during the day, you can have an EV with a greater range. On the positive side, at Primal Cars UK Ltd, we stock a variety of EVs with different ranges, so you can choose one that suits you best.
How Do I Refuel an EV?
Charging an EV is simple, but not quite the same as filling up a petrol or diesel car. Here’s what you do:
Find a Charging Point: You can find charging points using apps like Zap-Map or PlugShare. Most forecourts now have EV charging facilities, as well as dedicated EV charging points within car parks.
Plug in the Car Charger: When you find a charging point, you plug the charger into the charging socket in your car. The car will start charging.
Please wait for the Charge: It depends on the charger to fill an EV to its capacity. Rapid chargers charge a car within 30 minutes, and there are slower chargers that take hours.
Check the Level of Charging: All electric cars have a reading that shows the level of charging at the moment. You can monitor the process and cut off the charging once the battery is full to its capacity.
Are There Enough Charging Points Available?
One of the main PCO concerns in using an EV is whether they have enough charging points along their routes. Luckily, the UK has witnessed a shocking increase in the number of charging points. Today, there are thousands of charging points all over the country, especially in big cities like London.
Get an app that lists charging station locations before renting an EV. The apps show where charging points are, whether they are available, and whether they are fast or slow charging.
How Long Does It Take to Charge an EV?
Charging an EV takes anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours. Depending on what factors are at play, it takes this long.
Charging Speed: A fast charger will charge the battery faster than a normal charger.
Battery Size: The bigger the battery, the longer it will take to fill up.
Current Charge Level: If your EV only has a bit of charge left in it, it won’t be long at all before filling it up.
How Much Does It Cost to Rent an EV?
Rental of an EV is more affordable than you would think. Renting an electric car may cost a little more at first than petrol or diesel cars, but you save a lot of money on fuel and repairs.
Our company, Primal Cars UK Ltd, gives good prices for renting electric cars and has flexible plans for everyone’s needs. A day rent or extended lease, we have it all.
What Are the Advantages of Having an EV on Hire?
Having an EV on hire as a PCO chauffeur has the following advantages:
Cost Advantages: As mentioned earlier, EVs use less fuel and are cheaper to maintain. So you save money in the long run.
Green Help: EVs make the air cleaner.
Money Help: EVs don’t have to pay extra charges in many places and helps you save money over time.
A Better Ride: EVs offer a smooth and quiet ride, your passengers will enjoy it more, and so will your reviews.
How Do I Keep an EV?
The maintenance of an EV is usually less than for a traditional petrol or diesel car. This is because fewer parts are moving, and there’s no need for oil changes. Nevertheless, you do have to take care of a couple of things:
Tires: Like with any car, you will have to check the tires for wear.
Brakes: EVs have regenerative braking, and therefore, brake wear is minimised. However, you must still check the brake pads from time to time.
Battery: The most important part of an EV is the battery. Even though it doesn’t need servicing, make sure the battery charges and don’t let it run fully down to zero.
Do I Need to Rent an EV for My PCO Work?
If you want to hire an EV for your PCO company, that’s a brilliant idea! EVs are ideal for city driving, which is the bulk of a PCO chauffeur’s work. They are quiet and affordable, making them ideal for long city shifts.
We have a number of EVs available here at Primal Cars UK Ltd, which are specifically for PCO chauffeurs. We will help you choose the suitable car for your kind of driving and needs, with the help of our expert advisors.
Final thought
In short, an EV saves you money, helps the earth, and makes your passengers happy. If we haven’t yet convinced you, pop on down to Primal Cars UK Ltd. We will go into greater detail with you and help you get the perfect EV for yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Am I able to drive an EV in the congestion charge area?
Yes! EVs don’t need to pay London congestion charges. That’s saving you money every day.
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How long will the battery in an EV last?
Most batteries in EVs last for 8 to 10 years, depending on how well they are taken care of and used.
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Is charging an EV expensive?
It is cheaper than buying petrol or diesel to charge an EV. Charging an EV will be between 3p to 6p per mile.
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Can I charge my EV at home?
Yes, you can easily charge your EV at home using a normal home charger. Or you can buy a fast charger to charge your EV in no time.
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What do I do if I run out of power on the go?
In case you lose power, you can take advantage of roadside assistance services offered to EVs. They will either send you a mobile charger or drive the luxury fleet to the closest charging station.
