Electric or Hybrid? Arval’s view on the future of mobility

When is the right time to invest in a new vehicle? Should you choose electric or hybrid? What is the difference between them?

The automotive industry is focusing more on electric mobility. Vehicles with internal combustion engines are starting to feel the heat and could be gradually banned by highly developed countries, in the near future. On the other hand for corporate sector the risk adversity for a major change is still relevant, therefore the speed of shift is lower that for individual clients.

Here are some statistics on the dynamics of the international car market:

• by 2025 more than half of the vehicles produced will be electric, and their number will increase to 70% by 2030;
• by 2030 Europe will operate 9 million charging stations in residential areas and 1.6 million stations in public areas;
• By 2021 approximately 220 electric vehicle models will be available, almost 4 times more models than those available in 2018.

The number of charging stations for electric cars is constantly increasing in Romania. All major cities have at least a few charging points of 22 kW and at least one fast charging station (50 kW). To find the nearest charging station you can use PlugShare app for example.

There are three main types of electric vehicles (EVs), classed by the degree that electricity is used as their energy source. BEVs, or battery electric vehicles, PHEVs or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and HEVs, or hybrid electric vehicles.

Battery Electric Vehicles, also called BEVs, and more frequently called EVs, are fully-electric vehicles with rechargeable batteries and no gasoline engine. Battery electric vehicles store electricity onboard with high-capacity battery packs. Their battery power is used to run the electric motor and all onboard electronics. BEVs do not emit any harmful emissions and hazards caused by traditional gasoline-powered vehicles. BEVs are charged by electricity from an external source. Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers are classified according to the speed with which they recharge an EVs battery.

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles or PHEVs can recharge the battery through both regenerative braking and “plugging in” to an external source of electrical power.

HEVs are powered by both petrol and electricity. The electric energy is generated by the car’s own braking system to recharge the battery. This is called ‘regenerative braking’, a process where the electric motor helps to slow the vehicle and uses some of the energy normally converted to heat by the brakes.

HEVs start off using the electric motor, then the petrol engine cuts in as load or speed rises. The two motors are controlled by an internal computer, which ensures the best economy for the driving conditions.

Do you have a fleet under management? You need a strategic approach for the car park renewal

If you manage a fleet of cars, the costs of fuel, repair and maintenance of the vehicles are the ones that concern you most. In addition to the essential measures to monitor the routes and consumption, plus the “education” of drivers to adopt a driving style that will lead to cost optimization and risk reduction, you must also consider the renewal of the car park.

Electric vehicles (either hybrid, 100% electric or with range extender) are models that promise significant cost reductions and unlimited access both on national roads and highways, as well as in cities (in the country and abroad) having in the same time a much more responsible behavior related with a lower CO2 fingerprint.

The most handy option for fleet management and the renewal of the car fleet is that of operational leasing. Once you have hired the services of a specialized company, with experience in the field, you will be able to relieve yourself of a series of activities that are time and money consuming and might imply some important risks (like old car reselling risk):

• vehicle risk management;
• the time actually allocated for fleet management;
• cost management;
• additional consumption of resources (human, time, financial, etc.).

Why choose Arval for operational leasing

Once you become an Arval customer you will have access to a team of international fleet top experts which are support the  dedicated person that will handle all aspects of your company’s fleet: the account manager.

Whether it is negotiating the terms and benefits of the purchase, or managing the service and repair of your vehicles (or any other aspect related to your company’s fleet) – you can rely on the designated account manager who will establish a relationship working closely with you and the drivers in your fleet. Arval Account Managers will always find the right solution for your specific needs.

“There might be different ways in which the future can surprise our life’s journey but, for sure, it will be much more convenient to face all the mobility challenges supported by the experts’’ – Robert Maftei (Commercial Director, Arval)

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