A Comprehensive Guide to Electric Vans
Whether you've been driving a van for decades or you're new to the road, it can be hard to keep up with the electric vehicle (EV) industry. As a van driver, you may even be considering investing in an electric van for your business or even private use, but knowing where to start can seem daunting.
With the sector changing rapidly, we were keen to shed some light on all things electric vans. So, we spoke to light commercial vehicles (LCV) expert, Paul Kirby, to put together this comprehensive guide to electric vans. With over 30 years of experience in the automotive industry, Paul is well-equipped to answer our questions - from average charging costs to which electric vans have the longest range.
Read on to hear Paul's expert advice and find out all you need to know about electric vans.
- What are electric vans?
- How do electric vans work?
- The benefits of an electric van
- Why electric vans are becoming more viable
- How much is an electric van?
- What electric van should you buy?
- Which is the best EV van on the market?
- Charging electric vans
- EV van maintenance & running costs
- Electric van ranges
- Can you convert a diesel or petrol van to electric?
What are electric vans?
Electric vans are essentially diesel vans without the usual engine, gearbox, exhaust system, and fuel tank, having had a battery and electric motor fitted to replace these traditional parts. There are several other changes, but it all boils down to this: electric vans play a part to help improve the air quality of our inner cities, because they don't have any exhaust emissions. And, since there are almost 60,000 electric vans on the road - according to SMMT - their market share is growing all the time.
How do electric vans work?
Electric vans can be easy to drive with no gear changing needed. They also typically come with advanced safety systems, including the action of braking as you lift your foot off the accelerator. This braking feature not only slows the vehicle down but puts charge back into the batteries in a process known as 'regeneration'.
Electric vans are powered by an electric motor, which can vary in output from 100kW to 150kW (equivalent to 136hp to 200hp). These vans are fuelled by lithium batteries that vary in size, typically between 50kWh to 111kWh in capacity. Range can vary due to many factors, but they can go up to 271 miles according to the official WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure) test cycle.
The benefits of an electric van
Environmental impact
While electric vehicles can have a higher carbon output in terms of their manufacture, the environmental benefit that comes with them can be significant. First of all, there are zero tailpipe emissions from the moment they hit the road. Secondly, according to a UK government lifecycle analysis report, over the lifespan of an electric van, the greenhouse gas emissions were 69% less in 2020 compared to their petrol or diesel counterparts. And this could rise to 77% by 2050.
Financial benefits
Running an electric van could provide financial benefits in the long run. Once the initial outlay is made and the van is on the road, there can be opportunities to save money. Charging it overnight using a home EV tariff can be cheaper per mile compared to filling up with diesel, and maintenance costs can be lower due to fewer moving parts. Some users have suggested that they are seeing savings of 40% on their service, maintenance, and repair (SMR) costs. And one additional benefit of the regeneration feature mentioned earlier is the saving on brake wear.
Where there would have been a charge to enter a restricted inner-city zone, such as the London Congestion Charge Zone or Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), or the Clean Air Zone (CAZ) schemes operating in Birmingham, Bath and Bradford, the electric van user can enter the area free of charge too, saving money here as well.
Driving experience benefits
The driving experience in an electric van is often cited as a considerable improvement to that found in a combustion engine vehicle. It is quieter, smoother, and more responsive on the road. With all the torque (the turning power of the engine) immediately available through the automatic transmission, the days of struggling to find the correct gear when entering a busy roundabout are over.
For many businesses, being seen to be operating responsibly is vital. Whilst operating an electric van in isolation isn't likely to be enough to claim any sort of carbon neutrality, it can be viewed as evidence that the company is working towards a cleaner environment and exploring new ways to do this.
The 2030 Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) 'ban' has now been moved back to 2035. But The Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate is still in place and clearly specifies that 10% of all vans registered must be electric in 2024, rising to 70% in 2030. It's clear that the government believes this is vital for the environment that we get started in the transition, which is why they are legislating this way. The challenge remains for associated businesses to work with manufacturers to take an industry-wide responsibility for the process of moving to a zero-emission vehicle parc. The Zero Emission Vehicle Parc is the current pool of electric vans that are on the road.
Why electric vans are becoming more viable
Electric vans are now being produced by the largest vehicle manufacturers in the world. This means that the technology is robust, the after-sales support is in place, and the infrastructure is growing to support the increased vehicle supply.
Many large fleets have led the way and are beginning to cascade their experiences into the wider market, helping to alleviate uncertainty and doubt that has previously surrounded the operation of the electric van. With the ZEV mandate in mind, manufacturers are also playing their part in helping and guiding potential customers. Almost all manufacturers now have electric van offerings, usually across most sizes of vehicle including chassis cabs which are the basis for a multitude of conversion types.
Technology is improving, and we are now seeing ranges of over 200 miles being achieved whilst maintaining a competitive payload capacity. In 2023, a Fiat E-Scudo set a record for travelling the furthest on a single charge, managing 311 miles. This won't currently be achievable in the real world but is an indication of how the boundaries are being pushed by manufacturers.
Although the charging infrastructure is improving all the time with over 50,000 public chargers now available, public charging can be difficult. Especially where commercial vans are concerned, due to physical restrictions and wasted time trying to find a free public charging station or queuing for one. However, electric vans are now being produced which are compatible with high-speed chargers, in some cases rated at over 150kW, which can top a 50kWh battery up from 20% to 80% in just 18 minutes and a 75kWh one in 27 minutes.
How much is an electric van?
Prices vary considerably, depending on the size of the van, the payload, the motor power output, and the technology included as standard. Often, the most effective way to buy an electric van is to consider leasing, as the higher monthly cost is offset by the lower running costs.
Do EV vans hold their value?
The used electric van market is in its infancy, and although the numbers available are limited, it is possible to pick one up at a competitive price compared to a new one. What is clear is that support is required from the government in both the used and new market, to ease the transition over to a zero-emission commercial vehicle parc.
What electric van should you buy?
The answer to this question depends on your usage. Here are some questions you need to ask that will help with your decision:
- How big is what you need to carry?
- How heavy is your load?
- Do you need to tow a trailer?
- What is your daily or weekly mileage?
- Do you have access to a home or work charge point?
- Do you value additional technical features such as telematics and additional cab comforts?
These questions all need to be taken into account so that a square peg isn't pushed into a round hole when it comes to your choice of electric van — and a good dealer will ensure that your needs are met correctly.
Which is the best EV van on the market?
Vans are a much more objective purchase, so to say which is best subjectively is often slightly misleading. The top electric van in each section has been recognised as the best in their class. But I have mentioned some of the others as you must find the right one that meets all your business or private use needs.
Small vans
Volkswagen ID Buzz Cargo, but closely followed by the Stellantis group range of small vans (Vauxhall Combo Electric, Citroen eBerlingo, Peugeot ePartner, etc). The new Renault Kangoo eTech, Mercedes-Benz eCitan, and Nissan Townstar EV are also worthy of consideration.
Medium vans
Toyota Proace has the edge over the other Stellantis vans sharing its platform, with a higher standard specification and a longer warranty. But watch out for the Maxus eDeliver 7 and the Ford E-Transit Custom, both strong contenders which will be arriving shortly.
Large vans
Ford E-Transit takes the prize, but also consider the Iveco E-Daily Electric with a huge breadth of options for those with individual and specialist requirements with the Maxus eDeliver 9 being a surprising option and worthy of consideration. There have been number of large van additions for 2024 which also show great promise in this sector.
Charging electric vans
Charging electric vans remains one of the more difficult areas to navigate when starting your electric van journey. If it is possible to access a home or work charger, this will make operating the van a whole lot easier. Although they cost around £1000, with a government grant available towards the cost of a workplace charger, this can be recouped over time when compared to the cost of using public charges.
Most electric vans have two types of charging, which are relative to the speed they will charge at: alternating current (AC) charging (the slower of the two) and direct current (DC) charging - often referred to as "rapid" charging. The former is good for an overnight fill of your battery and the latter is good for a quick boost.
How much does it cost to charge an electric van?
The cost of charging an electric van can differ based on your energy supplier, including the tariff you're on and time of day you charge, or which public charging network you use. Since these costs can change frequently, it's tough to provide accurate figures. However, here are three charging methods and how they can compare in terms of costs:
Charging at home
This option can be the most affordable, especially if you charge your van overnight on an EV tariff. However, if you use energy at the standard rate, it could be more expensive than overnight specialist EV rates.
Commercial (workplace) charging
If you have access to a workplace charging point, it might cost more than home overnight charging but less than public charging.
Public charging
The costs for this charging method can vary significantly depending on the location and charging rate (speed). It's more expensive than home charging and probably more costly than commercial charging too.
How long does it take to charge an electric van?
This is totally dependent on the size of the battery and the charge rate being supplied, but if you're using a home charger with an output of 7kW, your typical medium van such as a Vauxhall Vivaro Electric fitted with a 50kWh battery will take up to 7.5 hours to charge.
EV van maintenance & running costs
Although overall running costs are highly dependent on how you choose to charge your van, when it comes to maintenance, the costs can be lower.
There are fewer moving parts with an electric motor, so less wear and tear compared to a petrol or diesel van, which has things like a manual clutch, gearbox, oil to change and gaskets to replace.
An independent survey found that, on average, an electric car (there is currently no specific van data available) costs £103 to service compared to diesel vehicles at £163. The same study concluded that overall maintenance bills for electric vehicles were up to 43% lower.
Whilst the government changed the law so a 4.25 tonne Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) electric van can be driven on a conventional driving licence, currently the vehicle will need to have an MOT test on its first birthday, unlike vans up to 3.5 tonnes. There is a consultation to remove this requirement, but, at present, this will affect maintenance costs on this heavier van.
Electric van ranges
Whilst all manufacturers must quote an official Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) range for their electric vans, it is important that these are primarily used for comparison purposes. Many things affect the distance that a van can cover on a single charge such as:
- Whether the cab temperature has been 'pre-conditioned' whilst still plugged in
- The season and weather conditions
- The payload being carried
- Whether it is towing a trailer, or a roof rack is fitted
- The nature of the route etc.
Figures from the Department for Transport (DfT) suggest that just before the pandemic vans under 3 years old (averaging 73 miles per day over an assumed 300 working days) covered an average of:
- 21,900 miles per year, averaging 73 miles per day (21,900 ÷300 = 73).
For vans that are 3 to 10 years old, this reduces to:
- 16,700 per year, averaging 56 miles per day (16,700 ÷300 = 56).
Bearing in mind that the same report said that 51% of all vans stayed within 15 miles of their base on a typical day, the strive for a van to have the longest range possible may need to be tempered by specific usage patterns and operator needs. A judgement also must be made when selecting battery size. A larger one offers a longer range, but charging takes more time, and there is a negative effect on the payload.
A question to consider is, do you really need that extra range?
What electric van has the longest range?
All figures WLTP Combined cycle, taken from manufacturers literature. Note that driving style, weather conditions and weight being carried will affect the range of the vehicle. It is recommended that you test one in your own environment you frequent for the clearest picture.
Can you convert a diesel or petrol van to electric?
Yes, it is possible. Although whether it is financially practical is open to question. To this end, it may appeal more to the likes of camper van owners. A converter will remove the existing powertrain and, whilst there is plenty of room under the bonnet for the motor and ancillaries, the challenge will be to find an area suitable for fitting the battery pack. The van may have to be re-registered as an electric vehicle, and the weight of the conversion will need to be considered as there may be a negative effect on the payload. All construction and use regulations would need to be adhered to.
This is a specialist area, but there are companies (such as BEDEO) willing to undertake the task and we may see this grow in the future.
If you are considering an electric vehicle for your business, it's worth researching which makes and models are suitable for you and your business. Although this article covers many of the common questions surrounding electric vehicles, it serves as a guide only.
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Paul Kirby
Added: 24 Jul 2024
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