Frequently asked questions about electric driving

With electric driving, you travel with a vehicle powered by one or more electric motors, also called EV (Electric Vehicle). To power the electric motor(s), electricity is stored in a battery that can be charged at home, in the office or on the road at a charging point. The electric motors can also be powered by electricity generated from hydrogen (= via a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen). Hydrogen-powered electric vehicles do not have a battery, but a so-called fuel cell on board. The range of electric models is rapidly evolving and constantly improving with ever-increasing performance and range.

Electric driving does not involve CO2 emissions (so-called tailpipe emissions). CO2 emissions can be completely reduced to zero if you can charge the battery with green energy. In addition, an electric vehicle requires fewer moving parts and therefore less maintenance than a fuel vehicle.

Although the production of electric vehicles requires more raw materials and energy, leading to a higher environmental impact at that stage, electric vehicles are still generally more sustainable than traditional fuel vehicles over their entire life cycle.

An EV, also known as a BEV, is a Battery Electric Vehicle that is powered entirely by an electric motor and uses no fuel for its operation. There is also the PHEV, a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle, which runs partly on an electric motor and can be charged via a charging cable or charging station. In addition, just like fuel vehicles, the PHEV can be refuelled with the relevant fuel.

There are several options available for charging an electric vehicle. On the one hand, you can charge your car at home using a regular wall socket (which is not recommended) or a private charging station. Do you have any questions about home charging? Read our FAQ.

On the other hand, you can also charge your car at public or semi-public charging stations. These charging stations are typically found at businesses and in public parking areas. You can pay with a charge card there. Do you have questions about public charging? Discover the FAQ.

The charging time of an electric vehicle depends on several factors, the most important being the type of charging station, the electrical system to which the charging station is connected and the amount of power available (with smart charging stations). Additionally, the (maximum) capacity of the car’s battery and its maximum charging rate also influence the charging duration.

Depending on the above factors, charging an electric vehicle takes between 4.5 hours and 13 hours. With semi-fast and fast chargers, the charging time is naturally reduced. 

To calculate how long an EV needs to charge, divide the usable battery capacity by the charging capacity of your charging point. E.g. Hyundai Ioniq 5: 73 kW (battery capacity)/22 kWh (charging station) = 3.3h and so +/- 3h 20 min. 

Please note that the vehicle’s on-board charger also has a maximum capacity. The capacity of this on-board charger determines the effective charging capacity of the vehicle. In short, if your vehicle’s on-board charger has a lower capacity than the charging station capacity, you must replace the charging station capacity by that of the on-board charger in the above formula.

The number of kilometres you can drive is called the driving range or simply the range. The range depends on the size of your battery and the electricity consumption of the vehicle. The latter is influenced by your driving style, just with like a fuel vehicle. The average range of an electric vehicle is +/- 320 km.

To drive confidently and comfortably, we recommend choosing an EV car that has a minimum range that is 150% of your daily kilometres travelled. E.g. if you drive an average of 150 km every day, it is best to choose an EV with a range of at least 225 km.

What electric vehicles are available on the Belgian market? The available vehicles as well as their performance are evolving rapidly. Even the smallest available electric vehicles have a range of more than 180 km. In addition, 80% of people drive less than 50 km a day. So there is certainly enough choice to get you to your destination comfortably.

At Alphabet, you can lease electric vehicles that are officially available on the Belgian market. From passenger cars to vans, as well as plug-in hybrids. 

You can make the most of your battery with a few adjustments to your driving behaviour. At a moderate and constant speed, you increase your range. If you often brake hard or accelerate strongly, this will have a negative effect on the range. 

Things you may not think about that also have a big impact on the range are: the condition of your tyres, the use of air conditioning and heating, as well as the weight of the car. If you have a roof box or bike carrier installed, it is a good idea to take them off them when you do not need them to reduce air resistance. 

Yes, it does. The battery of your EV performs best at temperatures between 15 and 25 degrees. In particular, colder temperatures in winter will affect your battery capacity and thus also reduce your range faster. This is because a battery is less efficient at cold temperatures and the consumption increases by, for example, switching on the heating, etc.

Then again, during the summer months, the hot weather can reduce range. This is because your EV has to work harder to keep the car’s battery cool so it does not overheat.

How can you protect your car from heat? Park your car in the shade, don’t set your air conditioning too cold/high and avoid fast charging so the battery doesn’t have to work too hard.

When you have a breakdown with your EV, you initially act the same as with a combustion engine car. Safely pull your car over to the side of the road while signalling correctly and check what is going on.

Check that your battery is still charged. If the battery is flat, your car will need to be charged first to continue driving. Breakdown assistance partners, such as Alphabet Assistance, have ultra fast chargers available to provide your car with a minimum range so you can drive to the nearest charging station. 

Is your car broken down? If so, it is best to call your roadside assistance partner. For Alphabet cars, this is Alphabet Assistance.
Be sure to indicate here that it is an EV.

If your car needs to be towed, special resources and equipment are needed. For example, an EV cannot be rolled or pushed forwards or backwards because that generates electricity, which can cause overloading. Professional breakdown crews do, of course, have the right equipment to tow electric vehicles. 

Yes, electric vehicles need periodic maintenance too. This type of car does not require maintenance as often and the servicing also takes less time because you don’t have to check engine oil, oil filter and/or air filter, for example.

The maintenance of an EV is simpler than a fuel vehicle and therefore cheaper. For example, there’s no need to check the oil, oil filter and/or air filter. The cost of insuring your car remains the same for both an EV and a fuel vehicle.

Due to the extensive use of technology in EVs, repairs can be more costly compared to those for combustion engine cars.

Finally, the cost of tires depends on the driving habits of the car’s driver. You can accelerate and brake more strongly with an EV, which means the tyres need to be renewed sooner. This can increase costs.

At Alphabet, we offer operational leasing with a full-service package. As a result, you do not have to worry about unexpected costs. Discover operational leasing.

An EV is no more dangerous than a fuel vehicle. When it comes to fire risk, electric vehicles do not pose a higher risk compared to traditional vehicles. Electric vehicles are equipped with various safety systems designed to mitigate risks. However, if an electric vehicle does catch fire, it requires a more intensive extinguishing method compared to traditional vehicles.

This depends on several factors, including the driving profile of your employees (such as the number of kilometres they drive and their attitude towards EVs), the costs and tax implications, and the types of vehicles in use (vans or cars). Depending on the type of vehicle you are looking for, the choice can be limited. 

Additionally, the shift to electric vehicles depends on the charging infrastructure available or that can be installed at your company, as well as what is feasible at employees’ homes.

The options depend on the company premises, facilities at employees’ homes and local, public facilities. We are also happy to help you determine the right charging infrastructure.

On the one hand, EVs and PHEVs are more expensive to buy than combustion engine cars. On the other hand, the government encourages the greening of car fleets through tax breaks such as 100% deductibility and minimum taxes.

That is why it is so important to look at the overall picture and have the TCO (total cost of ownership) calculated.

Typically, the TCO of EVs is more favourable for companies compared to cars with internal combustion engines. A key factor to consider is the decreasing tax deductibility of diesel and petrol vehicles. At Alphabet, we have the right tools to conduct an accurate TCO analysis for your business.

Request your TCO analysis from Alphabet. 

Yes, public charging can be 2 to 6 times more expensive than charging at home. Fast charging can even be up to 10 times more expensive. So it is definitely worth providing charging stations at your company or at your employees’ homes. 

Through the charging partner’s online portal or our Alphabet reports, you can retrieve information about your employees’ charging sessions and associated costs. You can access this information because your employees record charging sessions with their charge cards.

At Alphabet, you can lease electric vehicles that are officially available on the Belgian market. We also help you prepare and go through the transition from fuel vehicles to electric vehicles. You can also turn to Alphabet for tailored advice on which cars are best for your business. 

Get in touch with your contact person at Alphabet or via the contact form if you would like to know more. 

Yes. Alphabet’s Add-On Mobility allows you or your employee to temporarily exchange the car for a different one. We know that mobility needs can change temporarily, e.g. when you need a car with more space, or when you go on holiday and could use a car with a longer range. 

How does it work? Find out all about Add-on Mobility here. 

If your company is introducing EVs to employees for the first time, it is crucial to clearly establish the ground rules for their use. Consider, for example, the following questions: What costs for home charging points may be included in the lease? Can fast chargers be used? What happens to the home charging point if an employee leaves the company early? 
At Alphabet, we can support you in drawing up your car policy.

When introducing EVs into your business, it’s not just the practical, economic, and environmental aspects that matter. The employees who will be required or permitted to drive the EVs are also a crucial consideration. Therefore, when introducing electric vehicles, it is essential to gain the support and enthusiasm of your employees. For instance, you can offer test drives and appoint EV ambassadors to encourage and support the transition.