Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has enhanced its EV incentive in partnership with OVO Energy, offering up to 30,000 miles of free home charging to customers buying or leasing an electric van before the end of May.

The offer is open to those taking delivery of an ID Buzz, ID Buzz Cargo, or e-Transporter from a Volkswagen Van Centre. To qualify, Volkswagen customers must sign up for the OVO Charge Anytime add-on, which provides smart, off-peak EV charging and a low flat rate of 7p per kWh, day or night.

Volkswagen says eligible customers will receive 10,000 miles of free charging up front, plus a further 10,000 miles in each of the next two years, provided they stay on the tariff. However, the “free miles” is based on an assumed average efficiency of 3.3 miles per kWh. Drivers achieving lower real-world economy will receive proportionally less mileage from the credit. In our time with an ID Buzz, it returned 3.2 miles per kWh, meaning the actual benefit for us would be 9,600 miles of free motoring each year, slightly short of the headline figure.

Volkswagen ID Buzz Cargo gets OVO energy offer

Even so, the offer represents a significant potential saving. Volkswagen claims Charge Anytime could cut annual home charging bills by up to £620, helping to offset the higher purchase price of electric vans.

From 1 June, the promotion reverts to the previous offer of 10,000 free miles at the point of purchase, with just 1,000 additional miles per year thereafter.

As fleets weigh up the shift to electric, Volkswagen and OVO’s joint effort aims to reduce running costs and simplify charging, two areas where many van operators remain hesitant to commit.

Phil Huff
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