Electric vehicles (EVs) are no longer just a future option for large fleets or early adopters. By 2026, more small businesses will be seriously considering EVs as part of their company vehicle or fleet strategy, driven by rising fuel costs, environmental targets, and changing driver expectations.
But switching to EVs isn’t just about choosing a different engine type. For small businesses, the decision needs to balance cost, practicality, infrastructure, and day-to-day operations. This guide breaks down what to check before making the move, the pros and cons of EVs in a fleet, and how the right charging solutions can make the transition simpler.
EV switch checklist: what this guide covers
Before committing to electric vehicles, small businesses should check:
How EVs will fit into daily mileage and driving patterns.
Upfront and ongoing costs compared to petrol or diesel.
Charging options at home, work, and on the road.
Mileage payments and tax considerations for EV drivers.
How to manage charging costs fairly and efficiently.
Whether a mixed fleet (EV and fuel) makes sense.
Why are more small businesses considering EVs in 2026
EV technology and infrastructure are improving quickly. Vehicle ranges are increasing, charging networks are expanding (Shell has expanded their charging points to 50,000, BP now has 12,000, and Rightcharge has over 70,000), and operating costs are becoming more predictable. At the same time, traditional fuel prices remain volatile, and many businesses are under pressure to reduce emissions.
For small fleets, EVs can offer long-term savings and a cleaner image, but only if they work operationally.
The pros of running EVs in a small business fleet
Lower running and maintenance costs
Electric vehicles typically cost less to run per mile than petrol or diesel vehicles. Electricity prices fluctuate, but EVs are generally more energy-efficient, and fewer moving parts mean reduced maintenance costs over time. There’s no oil, fewer brake replacements due to regenerative braking, and less mechanical wear overall.
Tax and mileage advantages
EVs continue to benefit from favourable tax treatment. Benefit-in-Kind (BIK) rates for electric company cars remain significantly lower than for internal combustion vehicles, making them attractive for directors and employees alike.
For business mileage, HMRC still allows the standard Approved Mileage Allowance Payments (AMAPs), currently 45p per mile for the first 10,000 miles and 25p thereafter, regardless of fuel type. This means EV drivers can often recover costs more easily compared to real-world charging expenses.
In addition, HMRC publishes an Advisory Electric Rate (AER) for company car mileage reimbursements. This rate is designed to reflect average electricity costs and may change over the next few years, so it’s important for businesses to review it regularly when setting policies.
Sustainability and brand perception
Running EVs supports environmental goals and can strengthen your business’s reputation with customers, partners, and employees. For many small businesses, switching even part of the fleet sends a clear signal that sustainability is being taken seriously.
The challenges small businesses need to plan for
Charging access and infrastructure
Charging is often the biggest concern. Unlike fuel, electricity isn’t available everywhere, and not all chargers are priced the same.
Some drivers will charge at home, others at work, and others on public networks. Without a clear system, costs can quickly become difficult to track and reimburse fairly.
This is where managed charging solutions matter. Services like Rightcharge are designed specifically to solve the problem of home charging for business drivers, automatically separating business and personal electricity use and reimbursing drivers accurately without manual expense claims.
Higher upfront vehicle costs
While EV prices are gradually coming down, they can still cost more upfront than equivalent petrol or diesel vehicles. For small businesses, this means looking closely at the total cost of ownership rather than just the purchase price, including fuel savings, maintenance, taxes, and resale value.
Not every journey suits an EV
EVs work best when they match real-world driving patterns. High daily mileages, limited charging time, or unpredictable routes can make a full EV switch challenging. In these cases, a mixed fleet can offer flexibility while still reducing overall emissions and fuel spend.
Managing charging costs: why cards and systems matter
As EV fleets grow, managing charging costs becomes just as important as managing fuel spend.
A dedicated EV charge card allows businesses to:
Access thousands of public charging points across the UK.
Keep charging costs in one place for easier reporting.
Reduce out-of-pocket expenses for drivers.
Maintain visibility and control as fleets scale.
Right Fuel Card’s EV charging solutions are designed to support various charging scenarios, whether drivers use public charging networks, home charging, or a combination of both.
For drivers who primarily charge at home, Rightcharge removes the administrative burden by automating reimbursements and ensuring businesses only pay for business electricity use, no estimates, no manual claims, and no awkward conversations about energy bills.
Should small businesses go fully electric or start gradually?
For most small businesses, 2026 is less about a full switch and more about a phased transition.
Many fleets start by:
Introducing EVs for local or predictable routes.
Offering EVs as company cars for eligible roles.
Running EVs alongside fuel vehicles during the transition period.
This approach allows businesses to test suitability, gather real data, and refine charging and reimbursement policies before scaling further.
Planning ahead: what to review annually
EV policies shouldn’t be set once and forgotten. Over the next few years, small businesses should review:
Mileage rates and HMRC guidance.
Electricity pricing and charging costs.
Vehicle range and charging speed improvements.
Driver feedback and operational impact.
Staying flexible ensures your EV strategy continues to support the business rather than restrict it.
Final thoughts: EVs work best with the right support
Switching to EVs in 2026 can deliver real benefits for small businesses from lower running costs to tax efficiencies and improved sustainability credentials. But success depends on planning, realistic expectations, and the right systems behind the scenes.
With a combination of EV charge cards for public charging and solutions like Rightcharge for home charging, small businesses can move forward with confidence, knowing costs are controlled, drivers are supported, and admin is kept to a minimum.
