Questions?
0116 259 9548
BVRLA Member
No Administration Fees
Free Nationwide Delivery
Switching to an Electric van need not be a headache. Electric vans are becoming more and more popular and an increasingly familiar sight on the roads all around the UK. The UK Government has pledged that by 2035 there will be zero emissions on British roads. There are benefits to this; a cleaner and healthier environment for all of us and future generations to live in. Electric vans have zero emissions and hybrid vans have drastically reduced carbon output.
Whilst switching won’t be mandatory, and you can still drive petrol and diesel vans, you just won’t be able to buy them new. Petrol stations will still be in use, and you will be able to buy petrol and diesel, but charging points will become a much more familiar sight, with some existing petrol stations possibly adding them instead of fuel pumps to accommodate the growth of electric vehicles and offering convenient charging locations that are already established in people's daily or weekly routines.
Charging your van across the country has also become easy, with the government pledging to increase the number year-on-year and there is a 42% increase of available charging points in 2023 so far meaning that range anxiety no longer needs to be an issue and with DC rapid charging being offered at more points, it means that you can recharge in minimal time and be back on your way.
Electric vans are generally economical to run; the initial cost of buying the van can be higher but over-all the day to day running costs are lower than a petrol or a diesel van, and the maintenance costs are also lower.
If you travel to, or work in, one of the UK’s busy city centres, you will no doubt have noticed the rapid introduction of Clean Air Zones and their associated charges for diesel and petrol van drivers. Switching to an electric van means that you can drive in and around UK cities, fee-free.
The UK government and local councils are keen to encourage businesses to make the switch to electric vehicles. The government website provides a useful list of all current UK Clean Air Zones and how to check whether your vehicle is compliant.If it’s not then you will have to pay a daily charge for entering that zone, this charge varies in different locations, but local signage should give the relevant information.
If your current van doesn’t meet the criteria for free entry into Clean Air Zones, you may be able to access a grant towards the cost of a new vehicle. The Plug in Car Grant (PICG) is still currently available for vans and trucks and the discount is applied directly to the purchase price and could give you a saving of up to 35%. This could be substantial for your business as this would also mean that you would have no clean air zone charges and recharging would be cheaper than refilling with fuel and your emissions would be zero, and reducing your carbon footprint.
Experience and Expertise
Award Winning
Customer Satisfaction
The drive towards net-zero has encouraged van manufacturers to invest in their electric ranges. Advancements in vehicle technology mean that electric vans can now rival their petrol and diesel counterparts in terms of range and capability. The Ford e-Transit, Maxus E-Deliver 3 and the Peugeot e-Expert to name just a few.
Electric vans offer some great battery ranges, and it’s not just the smaller vans that can go the extra mile; many larger vans have ranges of over 200 miles, like the Vauxhall Vivaro Electric, meaning that no matter where your business takes you, an electric van could get you there.
The UK network of electric charging stations is rapidly expanding; instead of looking for petrol stations to refuel along the way, a handy app can show you the location of your nearest charging point and the different types of chargers available. A rapid quick-charge could mean you’re on your way again in about 30 minutes.
It’s important to look at your own circumstance and think about the benefits of switching to electric. If you are a small inner city business like a florist, or delivery driver from shop deliveries to parcel deliveries, this could be very cost-effective for you as you will have no clean air charges, and you can do short stop deliveries and not run out of battery charge. All manufacturers offer a battery warranty, each slightly different, but it will give you peace of mind that an important part of your car is going to be properly looked after.
If you’re ready to recharge your business and make the switch to electric, whether you need one van or a fleet of vans, the team at MWVC can help take you through the whole process
