Genesis staff support EV uptake

This story first appeared in the January issue of EVtalk – CLICK HERE to download the magazine FREE

Energy company Genesis is working to transition all its light vehicles to electric or hybrid by 2020 and its heavy vehicles by 2025.

As Genesis is aware that corporates need to lead the EV switch, it also is encouraging staff to take the step to EVs so asked them about their thoughts.

About 10% of Genesis staff surveyed own an EV (5.8%) or a hybrid (4.2%) – but that number jumps significantly when asked about future car purchases.

Only 15% definitively rule out owning an EV as their next car, with 16% saying their next car will be an EV and 66% saying it might be.

In terms of timeframes, 15% expect to own an EV in the next two years and 45% in the next five years.

Genesis also asked staff what the main barriers were to owning an EV.

The two top responses were range and cost.

Many also mentioned a lack of charging infrastructure, the length of time taken to charge, and the challenges of long car journeys.

From a cost perspective a large number of respondents expressed concern about the lack of affordable EV options.Many also mentioned the lack of EV options to suit larger families.

Several also expressed concerns about the environmental impact of batteries.
Encouragingly, a large number of people listing range or cost as an issue were hopeful of this improving in future.

Staff were also asked how Genesis could help them make owning or purchasing an EV easier.

Unsurprisingly, ways to reduce the costs – like interest free loans, subsidies and discounts – were top of the list.

Providing discounted access to ex-lease vehicles was also a common theme.

Many mentioned the free charging that Genesis makes available to staff, as well as the discounts negotiated with some EV suppliers, and encouraged more of this type of initiative.

The ability to borrow an EV to test it out for a day or a weekend was something many thought would help, along with information sharing sessions when EV owners can share their experiences and dispel some of the myths.

Genesis people and culture executive general manager Nicola Richardson is encouraged by the support for EVs within the company and is committed to making it easier for staff and customers to own EVs.

“What comes through in these results is that people want to do the right thing – but need the road to be smoothed slightly for them, especially from a cost and range perspective,” she says.

“We’re currently helping with our free staff charging and offering discounts to staff on certain vehicles, but we will be seriously looking at some of the great suggestions our people have made about how we can remove barriers.”
Genesis has recently retired six vehicles from its pool car fleet in Hamilton, replacing them with two Hyundai Konas, three Hyundai Ioniqs and a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.

The Greenlane office has had a Kona added to its pool car fleet.

Genesis has also negotiated a staff discount with Hyundai for staff purchasing an Ioniq or a Kona.