The Netherlands is experiencing high energy prices at present. How will this impact lease car drivers with electric vehicles and your fleet? We provide tips and recommendations based on the most frequently asked questions we have received on this subject.
How can my lease car drivers claim a higher energy rate for driving an electric vehicle?
As a lease car driver, you can enter the actual kWh charge from your energy contract in the portal provided by the charging station supplier. The compensation will then be automatically settled based on the kWh used for the lease car.
The maximum home charging settlement rate is currently 99 euro cents with our charging suppliers. If you are a lease car driver with a kWh higher than this amount, then we advise you to claim the difference in kWh charge monthly in the My ALD app.
You can claim the amount (difference in kWh charge x number of kWh used) in arrears under the heading ‘Make your own arrangements’ - ‘Claim expenses’ - ‘Other car expenses’.
Tip: Stipulate in the lease car driver agreement that employees are to truthfully enter the reimbursement amounts/kWh rate in the portals of our charging suppliers.
What is the best way to deal with a variable energy contract and claiming energy costs?
In a fixed contract, the amount to be paid per kWh is fixed for a period of time. However, there are currently some lease car drivers with variable energy contracts. Lease car drivers with a contract based on day or hourly rates can enter the average rate for the previous month in the portals of our charging suppliers. The lease car driver bears the responsibility for doing this.
Tip: When it comes to variable energy charges, it can be more economical to charge at certain times of day (for example, with respect to peak and off-peak rates). Charging during more economical times of day means that the average rate per month will also be lower.
What is more economical: charging at home or at public charging stations?
Because the energy charges vary so widely between household and charging station, there is no longer a simple answer to this question. Previously, home charging was always the cheapest option, but that’s no longer necessarily the case. If you still have a fixed contract from last year, then the energy charge is probably around 30 euro cents per kWh. If you have recently had to take out a new contract, then there’s a good chance that the charge is considerably higher.
According to the CBS (Statistics Netherlands), the average electricity price in September 2022 was 72 euro cents per kWh. Because the prices of public charging are less subject to fluctuation, public charging or even public fast charging could work out cheaper than home charging. Companies also often have long-term energy contracts, making charging at work an attractive alternative to home charging.
Tip: If your policy discourages public charging/fast charging, then we recommend that you temporarily amend your policy and inform your lease car drivers accordingly.
Energy ceiling, impact of the car on total energy consumption at home?
Starting on 1 January 2023, an energy price cap will apply to all households. A maximum electricity rate of 40 euro cents per kWh will apply, with an energy ceiling of 2,900 kWh. For any energy consumption above the ceiling, households will pay the charge as stated in their energy contract. Charging an electric car has a significant impact on electricity consumption at home. We will discuss the impact of the electric car on home energy consumption shortly, in a separate blog post.