In UK, electric-car leases now come with charge points

UK businesses that lease electric cars through Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions will be able to have a charging unit installed as part of the package.

The offering is part of an agreement between Hitachi Capital and British Gas.

Hitachi Capital’s fleet offering includes all electric vehicle (EV) makes and models, including the Nissan LEAF and Citroen C-Zero.

Customers who have charging units installed as part of the program will also receive three years of free British Gas Home Electrical Care, which provides unlimited call-outs for all home electrical repairs, as well as parts and labor. The cost of the charging point, including installation, will be included in Hitachi Capital’s customer lease contracts.

Charging points are more convenient and safer than plugging the vehicles directly into the home electricity system and will cut the charging time by around a third.

The program builds on British Gas’ agreement with Nissan and Renault to be the preferred supplier of charge points to its electric vehicles in the UK.

Current estimates project that, by 2020, EVs could account for around 10 percent of all vehicles sold in the UK. That would equate to about 1.2 million electric cars on the road by then.

“Many drivers concerns around electric vehicles lie in ‘range anxiety’ — worries about how far they can travel on one battery charge,” said Chris Shore, pricing manager for Hitachi Capital. “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.”