Where To Start When Choosing An Electric Van
Electric vehicles are a hot topic on the mind of everybody nowadays. Many are making the change to electric vehicles, especially with the introduction of clean air zones up and down the country. However, if you’ve been driving a diesel or petrol van for most of your life, it can be daunting to know where to start in regards to choosing an electric van.
Here at Van Sales UK, we understand how important it is to be confident in your choice of van. We are experts in electric vans, so have put this guide together, detailing the benefits of switching to an electric van and what to look for when you’re choosing one.
Is An Electric Van For Me?
The first thing you should ask yourself when thinking about an electric vehicle is whether it’s the right choice for you or your business. To do this you must first understand the benefits of an electric van.
One of the biggest reasons that people drive electric vehicles is due to how eco-friendly they are. Unlike diesel or petrol engines, electric vans do not produce any harmful emissions such as CO2 or NOx. This means they can help to improve the air quality and also reduce the total number of emissions in the atmosphere, helping to fight global warming.
They are also much cheaper to run, as the electricity used to power an electric vehicle is much cheaper than the price of petrol or diesel. The cost per mile you’ll be saving is a significant chunk, and you may even find free public charging points to charge your van for absolutely nothing.
People also love to drive electric vehicles due to the smooth driving performance they offer. Electric motors are virtually silent compared to their fuel-powered counterparts, making them ideal for individuals or companies who work at unsocial hours or in quiet areas. They also deliver instant torque, for a quick and smooth performance.
They can also promote you or your business as a socially-conscious company. Electric vans can show your commitment to helping the planet, which might attract a customer over them working with a business that still operates petrol or diesel vans. You can also expect very little maintenance, as electric vans have fewer moving parts, meaning they’re less hard on the brakes and less susceptible to general wear and tear.
One of the final benefits of driving an electric vehicle is the government grants on offer, helping you save a significant amount of money. The low-emission plug-in van grant can save you up to 35% off the price of your van, up to a maximum of £2500 on small vans and £5000 on large vans. The van has to simply be less than 2500 kilograms for a small van and between 2500 and 4250 kilograms for a large van.
They also must have CO2 emissions of less than 50g/km and be able to travel at least 60 miles without any emissions. While this may seem restrictive, a great many electric vans fall into these categories, including from top brands like Mercedes-Benz, Renault and Toyota so you can get top-quality vans at great prices.
Choosing The Right Electric Van For You
There are many factors that go into picking an electric van, so we have put together a guide to some of the key things you should be considering when choosing your new vehicle.
Range
One thing you need to consider when picking your electric van is the range that you want to drive. Typically electric vans have a smaller range than traditional vehicles, meaning if you’re frequently making long journeys, you might find yourself charging more.
For example, the new Ford E-Transit has an impressive range of nearly 200 miles when fully charged, but a 50-litre tank of petrol/diesel might get you nearly 500 miles. So if you’re planning to drive more than 200 miles across the country, you’ll probably need to charge at some point, while a fuel car will be able to keep going.
However, with the rise of public charging stations, you can easily top up your van’s charge while on the go for much cheaper than buying expensive fuel for the trip. The range of your vehicle can often depend on how many battery packs can be fitted and how many you choose to have fitted. They’re expensive and heavy, but may be essential if you’re looking to drive long distances without a recharge.
The range also works the opposite way, with it important to think about when you’re only making short trips. Constantly stopping and starting and making short trips is not good for a diesel or petrol vehicle’s fuel economy, but you do not have to worry about that with an electric van. You can expect great performance on both short and long journeys, as an electric vehicle can provide you instant power without the need for revving.
Urban Vs Rural
You should consider where you live, and what types of areas you’ll be frequenting. If you live in an urban area, you know you’ll probably never be too far away from a plug, however, in the country you might find less available.
While this may not be directly related to the model of electric vehicle you go for, access to charging stations should factor into your decision. You can get a charging station installed at your house, or rely on public stations whenever you need a top-up. Rapid charging stations can give you plenty of charge in a short time, while home stations often take longer to reach full power.
Performance
You’ll want to consider the way you drive and whether you would feel comfortable switching up how you drive. The most prominent change is the removal of a conventional gearbox, as electric motors frequently just have a drive or reverse switch or button for you to use. So as long as you can get used to not operating a clutch, an electric vehicle will be great for you.
This is great if you’re frequently driving in built-up areas where the clutch is used constantly during traffic. Using the clutch wears it out slowly over time, so removing this from the equation will reduce running costs over time.
You’ll also have to get used to using the brakes slightly less, as taking your foot off the accelerator automatically can help to slow down the van without the brakes being engaged. This will lead to you not having to use the conventional brakes for long periods of time, so they will wear out much slower. You’ll also notice there will be less wind and road noise, leading to a smoother ride.
If you’re planning on doing a lot of driving in cold weather, this is something you need to consider when thinking about the performance. Electric vans don’t like the cold due to the chemical composition of the batteries, so can reduce the range.
When considering payload, this can affect the size of the van you want. The legal maximum gross vehicle weight for a standard UK driving licence is 3.5 tonnes. Adding an electric battery to a car can affect this, due to them typically being heavier than a fuel-powered engine. This can overall affect the capacity for payload. However, you will only see this issue in large vans where it is easier to get near this weight limit. Smaller vans will probably not be affected.
How To Pick
Just like when shopping for a motor car, you need to pick a car that works for you. This could include body type, seat numbers, boot space, budget and more. Electric vans introduce some more considerations, such as if you’re looking for a pure electric or hybrid vehicle, the battery range you need, how fast the car charges and what’s the performance like.
These are all big factors to consider, so when you’re looking for a new van, it’s important to make decisions about what you’re looking for before you begin to look around, so you know exactly what you are looking for. It will also help a salesperson direct you to the type of vehicles you desire faster.
Electric Vans For Sale Today
Now that you’ve found out plenty about electric vans, it’s time to get started with your shopping. If you’re looking for great quality electric vans for sale, work with Van Sales UK today. We have an amazing selection of electric vans available, in a variety of makes, models and body types.
This includes top brands such as Citroen, Toyota, Vauxhall and Mercedes-Benz and a great choice of body types such as Luton, panel, tipper, dropside and pickup. We offer free fast delivery nationwide on our vans, as well as a variety of ways to pay. You can lease or finance your van, and we even offer part exchange options.
If you’re looking for amazing electric vans at great prices, get in touch with us today to find out more. Simply call now at 0117 205 2657, or email sales@vansalesuk.co.uk to enquire about our electric vans.
