FAQs
Are electric vans cheaper to run?
Electric vans can indeed be cheaper to run than petrol or diesel models. With cheaper costs per mile, you'll be able to go about your daily business in your electric van without it eating into your budget.
According to Zap Map, the Vauxhall Vivaro e-Life costs between 6-14p per mile, depending on real-world energy usage. Meanwhile, the diesel equivalent Vivaro would cost you between 18-20p per mile, meaning that electric vans certainly show potential for being more economical. You can use other cost calculators such as these to decide whether electric vans fit better into your budget.
Another thing to note is that electric vehicles require a lot less maintenance than your average petrol or diesel models since they contain fewer moving parts, meaning you won�t have to take your van to the garage nearly as often.
What incentives are available for those who choose to switch?
If you drive a van, there�s never been a better time to make the switch to electric.
With the Government�s Plug-in electric vehicle grant, you could save on your purchase of small or large electric vans. These will be sold at an impressive 35% discount included in the purchase price, giving you a real chance to save money on your purchase while adding value to your business!
Savings vary depending on the size of the van you purchase:
Small Vans:
- £2,500 maximum discount, provided that these weigh less than 2,500 kilograms (kg) in gross weight, produce less than 50g/km of CO2 emissions, and can travel at least 96km (60 miles) using fully electric power.
We have the following vans in stock which are eligible for the scheme: Peugeot e-Partner, Renault Kangoo ZE, Toyota Proace City Electric, and the Vauxhall Combo-e.
Large Vans:
- £5,000 maximum discount, provided that these weigh between 2,500kg-4,250kg in gross weight, produce less than 50g/km of CO2 emissions, and can travel at least 96km (60 miles) using fully electric power.
If you are looking for a large van, we stock the following eligible vans for this grant: Ford E-Transit Leader, Ford E-Transit Trend, Peugeot E-Boxer, Peugeot E-Expert, Renault Master ZE, Toyota Proace Electric, Vauxhall Vivaro-e.
What about the added weight of a battery to my van?
For most small vans, the added weight of a battery will make no difference, however the same cannot be said for larger vans.
This is because in the UK the legal maximum gross vehicle weight (GVW) for a standard license is 3.5 tonnes, Parkers reports. As most large vans alone will easily cover this allowance, this presents a problem with electric vans with the added weight of the battery. This could reduce the amount of payload you can carry within this limit.
However, the Government has developed an exception for some vans, allowing these an increased limit of up to 4.25 tonnes, known as alternative fuel payload derogation. This means you can use your electric van as needed for the workday, while still complying to legal government standards.
Will I have enough range for day-to-day work?
Many people worry that the range of their electric vehicles will not be enough for the demands of daily driving, a misconception which is commonly referred to as �range anxiety.� Though you don�t need to worry about your electric van suddenly running out of charge like your iPhone for instance.
First of all, you will be charging your electric van regularly, topping up the battery while on-the-go meaning that your van�s battery should never completely deplete leaving you stranded. Then there�s the fact that UK drivers will drive an average of 20 miles a day according to NimbleFins, meaning your electric van is sure to get you where you need to go daily.
What's electric van performance like?
Electric vans are responsive, with instant acceleration and torque. Placing your foot on the pedal to go, and lifting off to stop, they are incredibly easy to drive and deliver a noticeably smoother journey than petrol or diesel vans.
There�s no changing gear required meaning you can sit back and enjoy a more comfortable, hassle-free journey, especially while in busier built-up areas. There�s also little to no sound thanks to the electric motors they use, making them much quieter.