18 Dec 2025
At P+B, we talk a lot about relationships. Not in a vague, “nice to have” way, but as the foundation of how we work and who we choose to work with. That is why our relationship with Andy Nicol has endured for close to a decade.
Andy Nicol is not a petrolhead. He is not driven by flash or status. What he values are good people and things that work in the real world. In many ways, that makes him a perfect lens through which to talk about leasing, electric vehicles and how they actually impact your day-to-day life.
We sat down with Andy to reflect on his history with P+B and his journey into electric driving, in his own words.
I can’t remember the exact date, but it must be going back around ten years, probably 2015. I knew Nathan when he was in the business and he introduced me to Piers, and that’s when things really started.
From there, it just became a partnership, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. I’ve been very appreciative of the support P+B has given me over the years. We’ve done a number of things together, golf at Renaissance, Six Nations breakfasts, articles for newsletters and presentations at events across the UK. It’s just been a nice, natural partnership.
What matters to me is people. I like dealing with good people, and P+B are full of good people. That’s why it works.
I’ve never been massively into cars. I was never a petrolhead as a kid. Cars for me are about getting from A to B in comfort and style. I’ve got friends who are hugely into what’s under the bonnet, but that’s never been me.
So for me, it’s always been more about relationships and partnerships than the actual cars themselves. I know Edinburgh well, I know the business market well, and we can support each other through that.
It is, yes. I’m 54 years old and I’ve never owned a car.
My first car was a sponsored one when I was in Dundee. It was a white Escort 1.8 SI, sponsored by the dealership. My name was down the side of it, which led to some interesting moments on the motorway when people thought I was the police!
After that, during my playing days, we were given cars. When I moved to Bath, we all drove Rover 620s, all racing green. You always knew when a Bath player was driving through town.
Financially, buying a new car and driving it off the forecourt always felt like a poor decision, because of depreciation. Leasing was cleaner. You knew where you stand. You return your car every few years and get a new one. Even people I know who own garages say that if they were doing it themselves, they’d lease.
My first experience was actually as a passenger. I was at a corporate driving day and I was in the back of an early Tesla. The driver took his hands off the wheel, the car stayed in lane and slowed when the car in front slowed. It was fascinating, albeit a bit spooky at the time.
My first real driving experience was with the Mercedes EQC, which to this day is probably the best EV I’ve driven. What struck me immediately was the responsiveness. There are no gears, it’s just instant. The first time you put your foot down, it takes a bit of getting used to. Since then, I’ve driven a lot. Audi e-tron, Jaguar I-Pace, Genesis, and now Tesla.
For me, the decision to switch to electric and then to stay with it came down to a few very practical factors rather than any one big moment. The first was the driving experience itself. I immediately liked the responsiveness and the immediacy, not having gears and just being able to go. That suited me because I was never interested in what was under the bonnet in the first place.
The second was cost. When you look at what it costs to charge versus filling up with petrol or diesel, particularly when you can get over 300 miles of range for a relatively small amount of money, it just makes sense. Infrastructure was also key. Five years ago, that would have been a much harder decision, but the availability, speed and reliability of rapid chargers has improved massively, which makes longer journeys entirely manageable. Having a charger at home has been absolutely crucial as well. I genuinely don’t think running an EV works properly without one.
Finally, while reducing my carbon footprint wasn’t the main driver, it is a positive by-product, especially given how much I’ve travelled over the years.
No, I don’t think I would. We’re four years fully electric as a household now. No petrol, no diesel, not even a hybrid. A Mini Electric, a Tesla and a fully-electric Mokka.
If I were choosing today, I’d stay electric. It works for my life.
I always say the same thing. Absolutely consider it, but it has to be right for you.
If you’re doing lots of short journeys, commuting, getting around town, it’s a no-brainer. If you’re travelling long distances all the time and you can’t charge at home, you need to think carefully.
Five years ago, this was a much harder conversation. The infrastructure was patchy, chargers were unreliable. That’s changed. The conversation today is completely different.
But my clincher is always the same. If you’re going electric, get a home charger. That’s the key.
Andy’s experience reflects something we see every day. Electric vehicles are no longer about ideology or early adoption. They are about fit. Fit for your lifestyle, your mileage, your home and your priorities.
And, just like any good partnership, when the fit is right, it works brilliantly.
If you want to explore whether electric, or leasing more broadly, is right for you, our team will always start in the same place Andy does. With questions, not assumptions.