Fleet customers of Hitachi Capital Vehicle
Solutions can get an electric vehicle (EV) charging point installed
at their homes or businesses when leasing an EV as part of a
fleet.
In a partnership with British Gas, the UK’s
first between an energy company and a fleet leasing company,
Hitachi customers can have a charging point installed as part of
the lease contract and receive three years free maintenance from
British Gas Home Electrical Care.
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Hitachi added the Nissan Leaf and Citroen
C-Zero, both fully electric cars, to its available fleet in early
2011.
Simon Oliphant, chief executive at Hitachi
Capital Vehicle Solutions, said: “Our customers are increasingly
asking us about using electric vehicles for their business, and we
always want to provide the best range of vehicles, combined with
the latest technology.”
As much as half of the EVs in the UK will be
leased between now and 2020 according to British Gas commissioned
research by market analysis firm Frost and Sullivan.
The same research predicted EVs could account
for 10% of all vehicles sold in the UK in nine years time,
equivalent to 260,000 household and businesses.
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By GlobalDataChris Shore, pricing manager at Hitachi
Capital Vehicle Solutions, said: “Many drivers’ concerns around
electric vehicles lie in ‘range anxiety’ – worries about how far
they can travel on one battery charge.
“The ability to provide a safe and convenient
charging point in a driver’s own home or place of business is
therefore crucial to alleviating concerns and making them feel more
comfortable about choosing an electric vehicle.”
British Gas is already the preferred supplier
of charge points for Nissan and Renault in the UK currently lease
the Nissan Leaf for its employees from Hitachi Vehicle
Solutions.
Dean Keeling, managing director at British Gas
Smart Homes, said the fact Hitachi Capital had added EVs to its
fleet shows the growth the EV market in the UK.
He added with British Gas’ electricity supply
business, solar panel business and smart meters they were well
placed to be at the forefront of the EV market and can help
electric car owners power their car for less and from renewable
sources.
grant.collinson@vrlfinancialnews.com
