A new app allowing electric van drivers to be reimbursed for the cost of charging has been launched by Centrica.
It describes the new Fleet Charging Management System app as a virtual fuel card, allowing drivers to plug their vehicle into any standard charger, whether at home, at their workplace, or on the road, and be repaid the charging cost.
Payroll integration means the reimbursement is automatic, while fleet managers receive monthly statements showing all charging transaction.
The app also includes tariff optimisation, allowing drivers to charge when electricity rates are low – Centrica says this could more than half annual home charging costs for a typical van.
Centrica Business Solutions director of product management John Hartley said: “Many organisations that have a home-based workforce are looking to transition to EVs. On street charging can be prohibitively expensive, so we are providing the technology that will allow more drivers to charge at home, which has previously been very difficult to administer.
“But, many commercial vehicle drivers won’t have access to off-street parking, so it’s important that we break down some of the barriers to access for public charging networks too, making it easier for drivers to charge at home, at the workplace, or on the road.”
Centrica Business Solutions is said to be working with a number of leasing providers to provide the app as part of an EV bundle, which includes charging infrastructure and installation by British Gas engineers, with British Gas’s own electric van fleet set to be the first deployment.
