Spiralling energy prices could put paid to free workplace charging for private electric vehicle mileage.

FleetCheck has warned that electricity is becoming, or has perhaps already become, too expensive to be given away for charging for non-work travel

According to fleet software firm FleetCheck, there is anecdotal feedback that more EV company car drivers are heading into work to charge their vehicles on the back of rocketing electricity costs during recent months.

And it’s warned the practice could have to end as businesses struggle with their own energy bills.

Peter Golding, managing director, said: “Many businesses still give the power away to anyone who parks on their car park and wants to use it, whether it is for business or private mileage.

“This may have to change if more drivers use free company facilities for all of their charging needs. Electricity is becoming, or has perhaps already become, too expensive to be given away for non-work purposes.”

The warning comes as FleetCheck also said that the cost of heating could see company car drivers opt to return to the office this winter to save money, reversing the work-from-home trend from the pandemic.

It’s predicted that the massively increased cost of heating a home in order to work during the day would make the cost and effort of visiting the office much more attractive to many.

And while it’s unlikely to apply across the board, the sums will undoubtedly add up for some.

But Peter Golding, said that there will be at least a couple of potential impacts for fleets.

“Working from home has been an overall mileage saver for fleets and if more employees start commuting, mileage will increase, which has obvious knock-on effects in terms of the amount of SMR needed.

“The other is more subtle. Some company car drivers effectively became home workers during the pandemic and their journey to work was really no longer classed as a commute for risk management purposes. That situation could now reverse.”