British Gas and the RAC and have joined forces to offer a ‘one stop’ electric vehicle (EV) package.
The RAC recently offered drivers an EV lease option along with Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions; the new partnership means customers can have a smart 7kW home charge point installed by an expert British Gas engineer and take advantage of a bespoke electricity tariff with cheaper off-peak overnight charging.
Customers who want to have a home charge point installed via the RAC have the choice of two models – with either fixed or removable cables – with a three-year warranty and installed by a British Gas trained EV installer. The chargers can be controlled via a smartphone using the Hive app, which allows drivers to see if the car is plugged in and charging, and allows them to choose to schedule charges to take place overnight when the electricity rate is cheaper..
The RAC and British Gas partnership also gives customers access to the RAC-e Recharge Electric Car Tariff, with charging between 12-5am GMT costing 6p per kWh. British Gas will match 100% of the electricity used for this tariff to electricity from renewable sources. Prices can be fixed until 30 June 2023.
In order to take advantage of the RAC-e Tariff, which has no exit fee, customers will need to have a British Gas electric smart meter installed so their off-peak charging can be tracked. If a property doesn’t have an existing British Gas smart meter, one will be fitted free of charge.
RAC director of EVs Sarah Winward-Kotecha said: “We’re very excited to have teamed up with British Gas to offer home charge points and a bespoke EV electricity tariff as they’re as synonymous with taking care of people’s energy needs as we are with fixing and rescuing cars.
“Working with trusted names like British Gas and Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions means customers can now – through the RAC – lease some of the most popular electric cars at market-leading prices and get a smart home charge point installed with a specialist energy tariff that offers cheaper off-peak EV charging.”
Americo Lenza, portfolio director at British Gas, said: “Working in partnership with the RAC allows us to provide a unique proposition for those looking for hassle free motoring. For the first time, drivers can now combine the vehicle, the charger, the green energy, the servicing and the breakdown cover in one place.”
Each new EV leased via the RAC includes breakdown cover and road tax, and customers can also choose to add extras such as servicing and maintenance. All customers need to do is organise insurance. When the lease finishes, customers can choose to swap their electric car for a new one, return it, or buy it.