You hear this question about electric cars as often as ‘Do you have Wi-Fi?’ in German hotels. But what truth lies behind these concerns, particularly given the demanding nature of sales, with long journeys, impromptu customer meetings and tight schedules?
We spoke to Lukas Elversfeld, Sales Manager at Manheim Express. Since the beginning of April, he has been testing an Audi Q8 e-tron as part of a pilot project, and he shared his honest midway conclusion with us after driving almost 5,000 kilometres.
From a sceptical sales professional to an electric car enthusiast.
With an annual mileage of 50,000–60,000 kilometres, Lukas, a sales representative through and through, was the perfect candidate to test the suitability of an electric car for everyday sales use. What were his initial concerns? The classics: range, charging time and infrastructure.
What’s the conclusion after two months? “I never want to drive a car with a combustion engine again.” This is a statement that makes you sit up and take notice. It’s all the more striking when it comes from someone who describes himself as a long-time Audi fan and knows the comfort of high-quality combustion engines.
The entire project is a win-win situation. It benefits both Lukas and the fleet management team, who can gain valuable practical experience. “Our fleet manager is interested in this topic and wants to gain practical experience in day-to-day sales,” explains Lukas. “These practical tests are invaluable for fleet decision-makers.”
The reality of reach
In practice, the notorious range anxiety proves to be unfounded. Lukas can reliably travel up to 400 kilometres at real motorway speeds in the Audi Q8 e-tron. There are also sufficient reserves because the actual range tends to be displayed too low.
“The sat nav calculates exactly how far I can travel and where I can charge.” In practice, I had an extra 5–8% range. So you can generally drive further than you think you can.”
Another invalid prejudice: air conditioning and other electrical components hardly affect the range, reducing it by just a few kilometres on a full charge. Besides, let’s be honest: combustion engines have that issue too, as air conditioning doesn’t literally run on ‘hot air’.
It loads faster than a sandwich at a fast food restaurant.
And what about charging? Lukas smiles as he recounts an experience at a fast-charging station: “I took my lunch break, went to the restaurant next door, ate, and spent five minutes on the phone — and the car had already charged up to 80%! In fact, it took me longer to eat than it took the car to charge!”
Another advantage is that, in his experience so far, Lukas has only encountered one faulty charging station — and even then, it was his own mistake because he hadn’t checked the app beforehand. “People always say that most charging points don’t work, but iOut of almost 5,000 kilometres, I’ve only had one experience that didn’t go as planned. Even that was displayed on the app. “
Lukas now knows the location of every fast charger within a 15-kilometre radius and has quickly familiarised himself with his surroundings. The only change to his daily routine? “I sometimes have to leave half an hour earlier in the morning.” Apart from that, his day-to-day sales routine remains the same, just more relaxed.
We can therefore confidently state that the charging infrastructure for electric cars is better than the mobile phone reception on German railway lines.
…than the likelihood of getting mobile phone reception on German railway lines.
It is better than the chance of getting an appointment with the authorities in Berlin, and the average WLAN speed in German offices.
…or the average Wi-Fi speed in German offices.
Costs: The surprising balance sheet
This illustrates a different balance to that of the classic combustion engine. ‘If I only charge at public charging points, the electric car is actually more expensive than a car with a combustion engine,’ Lukas admits. Current prices at public fast chargers, which are often between 60 and 85 cents per kWh, lead to higher costs per 100 kilometres than diesel. However, the real economic advantage lies in combining this with home charging.
“I charge at home at a rate of 30 cents per kWh. With an average charging volume of 90 kWh, that works out at around 27 euros for 400 kilometres, which is realistic. That’s even cheaper than using a combustion engine.” The formula is simple: with your own wallbox, you can save significantly. You can also reduce costs while travelling with the right charging cards.
The underestimated quality: an unmistakable silence.
Lukas particularly likes the peace and quiet inside the vehicle. There is no engine noise, vibrations or distractions. The sound of the engine is often cited as an argument in favour of combustion engines. Lukas has a clear opinion on this: “A Porsche sounds great, but very few people have a car like that. It’s better to have no sound at all and enjoy the wonderful silence.’ You can make better phone calls, enjoy better music and arrive feeling much more relaxed. That’s real added value for us in sales.’
For retailers: What you should know:
Lukas has a clear message for hesitant used car dealers: ‘If you don’t try, you won’t succeed.’ Although selling electric cars requires a different approach, it also offers new opportunities.
- Building trust: “You have to eliminate the customer’s fear of the technology and inspire trust in it.”
- Explain the infrastructure: “We have a better charging infrastructure than many people realise. In fact, it’s better than the network coverage in Germany!”
- Talk about the everyday life: ‘You don’t buy a car just for holidays, but for everyday use.’
When advising people on electric cars, it is important to focus on real-life experiences rather than theoretical problems. According to Lukas, four out of five electric car drivers no longer want a combustion engine afterwards, which is an exciting argument. However, the decision to switch to an electric car is often the most significant one.
Dealers should pay particular attention to the following: Battery life is not really a problem. The figures clearly show that the battery is not losing performance, as is generally assumed. After three years, most batteries retain more than 95% of their original capacity.” Manheim Express relies on battery checks in cooperation with AVILOO to provide clarity for buyers and sellers.
It’s more than just an electric car — it’s a whole new sales experience!
After six weeks and almost 5,000 kilometres in the Audi Q8 e-tron, Lukas comes to a clear conclusion: ‘The electric car is not only an equivalent alternative for everyday use; in many respects, it is the better choice.’
For him, the biggest revelation was charging at home. “Starting the morning with a fully charged battery, without having to go to the petrol station first, has a positive impact on the whole day.” This advantage is multiplied for companies with their own charging points, for their entire fleet.
The initial sceptic was most surprised by the combination of precise range planning, reliable charging infrastructure and the superior driving experience, which makes everyday working life noticeably more pleasant. “In the peace and quiet of the electric drive, I have better conversations with customers and feel more relaxed when I arrive. You can really notice that at the end of the day.”
This is particularly relevant for fleet managers: ‘The switch is particularly worthwhile for companies with predictable routes and home charging for company cars,’ Lukas emphasises. “The lower operating costs, reduced taxes and maintenance benefits can make a considerable difference to a fleet.”
Our advice to all dealers, fleet managers and e-mobility sceptics is this: ‘Do the test yourself.’ Most reservations will disappear after the first week. Once you’ve experienced the benefits, you won’t want to go back.” So, dear dealers and sceptics, test it for yourselves, form your own opinions, and prepare to be surprised.
From April to the end of June 2025, Lukas will be testing the Audi Q8 e-tron as part of a practical long-term test in everyday sales. All experiences are based on his personal use, with an approximate mileage of 5,000 kilometres to date.
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