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Considering switching your van fleet to Electric?

Here’s everything you need to know…

electric vans

 

How do I know if an electric van is right for me?

Battery electric vehicles are going to play an increasingly important role in the UK as they evolve over the next few years and as more and more van manufacturers begin introducing models to the market. With deepening concern around environmental issues, businesses and private buyers will come under increasing pressure to adopt electric solutions.

 

So what are the advantages EV’s have to offer?

  • Eco-friendliness  – electric vans have the potential to dramatically improve air quality. 
  • Buying incentives – the government’s Plug-in Van Grant substantially reduces tax burdens for both business and private use. Other grants are also around, including ones that go towards the cost of workplace charging points.
  • Local incentives – local authorities encourage EV uptake through free parking, exemption from the Congestion Charge, and even free charging in some places.
  • Often cheaper running costs – compared with diesel alternatives they are often cheaper and as there are fewer moving parts, maintenance costs are reduced.
  • Low noise output – electric vans are virtually silent (aside from a hum you’ll only hear at low speeds) making life more pleasant for the driver and those around you.
  • Easy-going performance – as they offer automatic transmissions they’re very nippy and shift smoothly.
  • Convenience – in many electric vans you have the ability to set the air-conditioning to your preferred temperature while charging, this therefore avoids waiting around for the van to defrost!
  • Image – you’ll portray an instantly socially conscious image. Early high profile adoptees include brands such as Harrods and Amazon.

Some even have clever apps now that can track your typical journeys and work out whether an electric van would work for you. These calculations can be done across an entire fleet, helping larger firms understand how many of their vehicles could be electric. 

 

What’s the driving range of an electric van?

Today, we are seeing some versions the new medium electric vans from Citroen, Peugeot and Vauxhall claiming driving range of over 200 miles, with Renault’s latest Zoe Van reaching a range of an impressive 245 miles. In large and medium e-vans, the range may depend on how many battery packs you opt to have fitted – a decision that will come down to cost, the driving range you need or the payload you need. Batteries are expensive and heavy.

Where do electric vans work best?

Taking all of the above into account, you’d expect the best use for electric vans to be in cities – due to the concentration of charging points in these areas.

But it’s important you don’t automatically rule out other uses – particularly if you have a set route or known distance that you rarely exceed that falls within an e-van’s real-world driving range.

Most current operators simply plug their electric vans in overnight, use them within their limits during the day, and then set them to recharge again ready for the next morning. Most EVs include timers that allow you to set them to charge when electricity is cheapest and some companies now offer electricity tariffs specifically designed to make running an electric vehicle cheaper.

What is the government plug-in van grant?

The Plug-in Van Grant – or PIVG – is an incentive that reduces the purchase price of an electric van by up to 35%, thanks to a subsidy from the government.

 

Comparison of official electric van driving range:

Parkers review site have put together a comparison list of some of the newest electric van’s and their driving ranges:

 Van name  Van type / size  Official driving range
 Renault Zoe Van  Car-derived van   245 miles WLTP
 Renault Kangoo ZE 33  Small van  143 miles WLTP
 Nissan e-NV200 40kWh  Small van  124 miles WLTP
 Citroen Berlingo Electric (old)  Small van  106 miles NEDC
 Peugeot Partner Electric (old)  Small van  106 miles NEDC
 Maxus eDeliver 3  Small van  Up to 150 miles WLTP*
 VW e-Caddy (cancelled for UK)  Small van  160 miles NEDC
 Citroen e-Berlingo (2021)  Small van  171 miles WLTP
 Peugeot e-Partner (2021)  Small van  171 miles WLTP
 Toyota Proace City electric (2021)  Small van  To be confirmed
 Vauxhall Combo-e (2021)  Small van  171 miles WLTP
 Renault Kangoo E-Tech (2022)  Small van  164 miles WLTP
 Mercedes-Benz eVito  Medium van  92 miles WLTP
 VW e-Transporter  Medium van  82 miles WLTP
 Vauxhall Vivaro-e  Medium van  143-205 miles WLTP*
 Citroen e-Dispatch  Medium van  148-211 miles WLTP*
 Peugeot e-Expert  Medium van  148-211 miles WLTP*
 Toyota Proace Electric (2021)  Medium van  142-205 miles WLTP*
 Sokon / DFSK EC35 (TBC)  Medium van  138 miles
 Morris Commercial JE (2021)  Medium van  200 miles (untested claim) 
 VW ID Buzz Cargo / ID.7 Cargo (2022)   Medium van  To be confirmed
 Ford E-Transit Custom (2023)  Medium van  To be confirmed
 Renault Master ZE  Large van  124 miles WLTP
 LDV EV80  Large van  127 miles NEDC
 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter  Large van  96 miles WLTP
 Maxus eDeliver 9 (2021)  Large van  146-184 miles WLTP*
 VW e-Crafter (2021)  Large van  68-71 miles WLTP
 MAN eTGE (2021)  Large van  68-71 miles WLTP
 Ford E-Transit (2022)  Large van  217 miles WLTP
 Citroen e-Relay (2021)  Large van  73-139 miles WLTP*
 Peugeot e-Boxer (2021)  Large van  73-139 miles WLTP*
 Fiat E-Ducato (2021)  Large van  147-178 miles WLTP*
 Vauxhall Movano-e (2021)  Large van  72-139 miles WLTP*
 Arrival electric van (2022)  Large van  112-211 miles WLTP*

*varies with van and battery size

 

Understanding Electric

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Conventional Hybrid (HEV)

Hybrid Electric Vehicles or HEVs have both a battery and a petrol/diesel engine. You  can’t plug these cars in and you will be using the petrol/diesel engine for the majority of the time.

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Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV)

Plug-in Hybrid or PHEV’s also needs to be plugged in to charge its medium-sized battery. However, PHEVs have a traditional petrol or diesel engine as well. 

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100% Electric (BEV)

Battery Electric Vehicles or BEVs, are powered just by a large battery and an electric motor. Meaning zero CO2 emissions!

Looking for a new EV?

Talk to the Leasing Made Easy team today.

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07484 353404

 

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info@leasingmadeeasy.co.uk

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