Making electric work for high mileage: Air Tightness Testing UK Ltd's switch from diesel to EV

How does an EV stack up for higher mileage business users ?

The Challenge ... 

Air Tightness Testing (UK) Ltd test new build properties prior to completion - the process measures uncontrolled air leakage from the building as part of their energy efficiency assessment and building regulations. They do this every day - carrying their equipment from building site to building site across East Anglia. 

They have always operated with large diesel estate cars - owned outright and typically purchased as ex-demonstrators and retained for five to six years and c 100k-120k miles. 

Just as they test the energy efficiency of new homes - and the impact they have on the environment they also looked at their own actions and the impact there travel was having. 

With their current Volvo V90 D4 Momentum Geartronic ready for renewal they posed the question - could electric actually work convering 20000 miles per year ? 

They had some serious questions: 

• Would the EV keep up with their mileage ? 
• Would it also be able to carry the kit they needed ? 
• Would it be cost effective for them to switch ? 

That's where NEV Leasing came in - to answer these questions and any others that came along the way ... but first we had to ask some questions of our own. 

Read our article about electric vehicles for high mileage users

Understanding the real customer needs 

Before heading off into vehicle options we delved into their business - what they do and they use their vehicles day to day. 

• Mileage:  They average 20000miles per year but rarely did more than 250 miles in any single day 
• Charging: The daily schedule was quite tight to get all sites visited and tested in a day - there was little room for public charging breaks before returning toi base for overnight charging as required 
• Equipment: Their equipment and PPE is quite bulky so a good sized boot was key 
• Acquisition: Previously they had always purchased vehicles outright but were open to smarter ways to fund the next one 
• Brand Perception: The company tests and promotes energy efficiency and were being asked by customers of their environmental credentials as part of the supply chain and Scope 3 emissions - the Volvo replacement had to meet new criteria - size and price were no longer the key deciding factors. 

The proposed solution: 

Having shortlisted a group of electric cars based on meeting the boot space and an "estimated real world range" comfortably beyond 300 miles to avoid anxious moments on the longer days we presented them to the customer - Polestar 2, Tesla Model 3 and Volkswagen ID7 

Interested in the Volkswagen ID7? - Click for a some great offers

We also presented contract hire - a first time for the business - but it gave them 

• Fixed monthly payments - easy budgeting and cash flow foerecasting 
• No worries about resale value 
• No big maintenance bills 
• Retaining more cash in the business 

The customer favoured the Volkswagen ID7 Match Pro on a three business contract hire  - with the larger 86kWh battery for longer range  - easily providing the peace of mind range [ 371 real world estimate ] ... enough space in the boot for their equipment and a premium elegant look to match the business brand. 

The supporting numbers: 

Despite previous perception of range anxiety - higher mileage applications is where the EV savings on "fuel" really start to multiply - especially if there is absolutely minimal likelihood of public charging - see below the cost comparision between the two vehicles: 

Fuel v Charging Costs

• Volvo V90 diesel 
  • Average 50 mpg = c1800 litres per year 
  • Average cost [ 21/08/2025 ] £1.42 per litre = £2556.00 per year 

• VW ID7 86kWh Pro Match S 
  • Estimated .25kWh per mile = 5000 kWh per year 
  • Charging at home - estimated 11p* = £550 per year 

The ID7 86kWh Pro Match S provides a likely fuel saving of £2000 per year [ *more if an EV friendly electricity tariff is adopted ]  

Servicing and maintenance 

• With fewer moving parts, components, fluids and filters and lower brake wear through regeneration the estimated servicing, maintenance and tyre costs are less for a electric vehicle than its ICE counterpart. 
• The Fleet New Running Costs Calculator demonstrates the maintenance budgets for the existing Volvo V90 versus the arriving VW ID Match Pro S 86kWh 
  • Volvo V90 - service, maintenance and repair cost = 4.1ppm x 60k miles = £2460*
  • VW ID 7 Hatchback - service, maintenance and repair cost  =  1.9ppm x 60k miles = £1140 

*The Volvo will cost over twice as much to maintain over the three years - but given cars previously were purchased used and kept longer the maintenance cost are likely to increase in later years as components wear out or fail

Tailpipe emission - Co2 

• With quoted emissions of 148 g/km the Volvo will emit over 3.5 tonnes of Co2 and contribute to air pollution with Nitrus Oxide and particulate matter emissions 
• The VW ID7 has zero tailpipe emission and no Nitrus oxide emission - it is recognised that particulate matter is still emitted from tyres and brakes of electric vehicles it is at a reduced rate to it's diesel counterpart.

Driver Benefit in Kind

The numbers don't just add up for company - the driver benefits from the switch as well 

• The Volvo V90 had a P11d value of almost £36000 and a BIK rate in 2024-25 of 28% - giving him a monthly charge of £168 for the company car 
• With just 3% BIK rate in 2025/26 the Volkswagen ID7 Match Pro S will only cost the driver £28 per month - and although rising over the next two years it will only cost £46 during the final year of the contract.
• The driver will have over £1000 more in his salary each year over the next three years 

The Result: 

Air Tightness Testing (UK) Ltd are now running an electric vehicle that costs significantly less to run saving £2000 per year on fuel and almost £1500 over three on servicing and maintenance - thats a total estimated saving of £7500 over the next three years. 

• By opting for contract hire they have fixed costs for the next three years and now have a fixed replacement cycle they can budget and plan for. 
• They have significantly reduced their Co2 emissions associated with their business travel 
• Have provided the employee with an upgraded car - which is also putting over £100 extra take home pay into the employees salary per month. 

Higher Mileage Electric Vehicles

An annual mileage of 20000 per year is deemed to be higher mileage - but in weekly terms it's around 400 which is only just over the estimated real world range of a vehicle like the Volkswagen ID7 Match Pro S. 

Switching to electric worked for the company on every level - are you thinking about whether adopting EV's could work for your business ? 

We're here to help you find out and plan your transition - whether it's today ... next month ... next year or something in the future by getting to understand your business and needs - asking the right questions and creating innovative solutions to match. 

We're powering possibilities in the EV adoption, electric vehicle supply and fleet management - call us on 01206 585837, email getintouch@nevleasing.com or click here to complete our call back form to arrange a call at a time convenient for you.