Speaking at this week’s EV seminar held by ACFO, he said: ‘Some drivers are very anti, but all organisations also have environmental warriors and when employees get to drive an electric vehicle they realise they are a lot of fun.’ 

Highlighting the exceptional torque and power available from start-up when compared with diesel and petrol-engine models, Anders said: ‘Drivers do not have to rev an electric vehicle very hard for it to respond. 

‘Getting employees to drive electric vehicles and experience performance for themselves is very important. 

‘They need to be involved in the whole process because different driving skills are required to obtain maximum performance and increased range.’ 

It’s a view shared by Phil Redman, manager UK & Ireland fleet management, IBM, who said the introduction of electric vehicles to the firm’s company car choice list where he is fleet manager had been accompanied by a major employee awareness programme. 

At IBM, where Redman manages a 4,000-strong company car fleet and 5,500 cash allowance drivers, employees were asking about the availability of electric vehicles and subsequently five employees have selected them with orders placed for a further seven, including six BMW i3s. 

In addition to undertaking cost calculations and introducing a long-term demonstrator programme, Redman said the provision of additional driver information included intranet and employee bulletin articles, information on vehicle space which can be limited due to battery packs and advice on vehicle recharging and the impact of seasonal variances on driving range.