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In the automotive industry, technology continues to improve rapidly to help the global shift towards greener energy sources. This means that with an electric vehicle, you do not need to worry about so called 'range anxiety', as mile ranges are constantly improving with more testing and advanced technology. Whatever the task at hand, your electric van will make travelling on the job easier.
While on-the-go in your electric van, you will benefit from access to a large network of public charging stations for you to use. Currently there are over 30,000 of these, though the Government are working to improve this daily so that you will never be short of power when a top-up is needed.
With three speeds (slow, fast, and rapid), you will soon be on your way once more with chargers to suit your power needs. Rapid chargers allow you to top up your battery to 80% in just 30 minutes, perfect for the longer commute home.
If you have never previously owned an electric vehicle, we understand it may be daunting for you to make the switch. If you are unsure whether a fully electric vehicle is right for you, why not choose a hybrid and experience the best of both worlds? With a petrol or diesel engine, and an electric motor, discover the flexibility afforded to your journeys, and charge as you go simply through driving, thanks to regenerative braking.
Electric vans are cheaper to run than their petrol or diesel equivalents, due to several benefits.
First, you could expect lower costs per mile with your electric van. The Mercedes Benz eVito, for instance, costs around 7p per mile, according to Zap Map. The Mercedes-Benz Vito Tourer on the other hand, costs around 14p per mile, according to Sust-it. This makes the electric version around half as expensive to run in comparison.
By using costs calculators such as these, you can assess how much cheaper it will be to run your electric van in comparison to a petrol or diesel, perfect for helping plan your budget.
Public charging points are also reasonably priced, with some even offering free charging either for a limited or unlimited time. Using the various charging apps available, you can see which charging point will best suit your van and wallet. You can view a list of the best apps available to download in our blog for new EV owners.
Aside from the lower running costs with electric vans, you could save even further with the Government's plug-in vehicle scheme.
For vans, this states that they can be sold at a 35% discount, which will be included in the purchase price. Depending on the size of the van and meeting certain eligibility criteria, you could save money while adding value to your business.
Our Toyota Proace City electric range is eligible for the small vans grant.
We stock a range of vans which are eligible for this grant, including: Mercedes-Benz eVito, Mercedes-Benz eVito Premium, Mercedes-Benz eVito Progressive, Mercedes-Benz eSprinter, Toyota Proace City Electric, and the Volkswagen ABT e-Transporter.
For small vans this is less of an issue, however there are some implications for larger vans.
In the UK, the legal maximum gross vehicle weight (GVW) for a standard UK driving license is 3.5 tonnes, according to Parkers. Most large vans will easily use up this allowance, so with an electric battery to contend with, this could reduce payload and the amount you can carry within the limit.
Thankfully, the Government have devised a solution by allowing an increased weight limit of up to 4.25 tonnes for electric van drivers in specific instances. Referred to as the alternative fuel payload derogation, this means you will not have to suffer from reduced payload with your electric van.
Range anxiety is a common misconception with electric vehicles. Since battery-charged objects can run out eventually, some motorists are apprehensive about getting an electric vehicle for fear they will run out of charge suddenly.
However, electric vehicles are surprisingly well-performing in this area, with ranges under constant improvement. According to NimbleFins, the average British driver travels around 20 miles each day in their vehicle. The Toyota Proace Medium for example, offers a range of up to 143 miles, meaning this should be more than enough for your daily travels.
By topping up your electric van's battery regularly, you can rest assured that you will never be short of power to get you from A to B.
Electric vans, like most electric vehicles, are noticeably smoother to drive than petrol or diesel vans. With instant torque thanks to a powerful electric motor, you will experience a more instant response when accelerating.
Since fully electric vehicles are automatic, this also replaces the hassle of changing gear, which can be especially useful for when caught in traffic. With little sound other than the quiet hum of the electric motor, electric vans will also be much quieter to drive.