Online Banking makes it easier to manage your finances.

My EV & Me

With the acceleration of carbon free mobility, electric vehicles (EVs) are one of the important trends driving our business. But what’s it really like to drive one? We speak to some Umicore colleagues with first-hand experience with Umicore's company car leasing policy, which only offers electrified vehicles in Belgium, the biggest in the Group. 

The pace of EV acceptance is picking up. Better charging infrastructure, longer battery life and more choice of cars are encouraging an increasing number of drivers to make the switch to electric. Yet some are, understandably, still hesitant. After all, it can be difficult to part ways with your trusty petrol or diesel car. They have a reliable range and take no more than a few minutes to fill up; they’re the familiar, comfortable option. But is the alternative really so radically different?

Stijn, Purchase Manager Nickel, believes it’s a question of planning. “In the two and a half years that I’ve been driving an EV, I’ve made three trips over 1,000 kilometres, mostly without issue. Admittedly I learned the hard way on that first journey, but I soon realised that I just had to think ahead about where I would stop and ensure that wherever I arrived also had a charging spot option.” “And I actually think that having 15-minute breaks throughout your journey helps to recharge your own batteries, so you’re much more relaxed when you reach your destination!”

With recharge cards that give you access to a wide variety of charging stations, travelling around Europe by EV is straightforward. It also helps that charging infrastructure is developing rapidly.

Homebuying Counceling