The Different Types of Electric Vans Explained
In this article, we’ll take you through the different types of electric vans, breaking down all those acronyms so you know what’s what.
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Want to electrify your business and work smarter? Here’s everything you need to know about electric vans.
Electric vans are becoming popular in the world of work. With their practical handling and efficiency, they’re helping all kinds of businesses go greener and reap the rewards.
If you're a business looking to electrify your fleet or a van driver looking to make work lighter, an electric van could be for you.
New to electric vans? Welcome to our Electric Van Hub, where you'll find all you need to know about electric vans – plus all the support and advice needed to help you make the switch.
One great thing about electric vans is their flexibility. There are a range of different types available to suit your business needs. These are:
BEVs are driven by an electric motor from energy stored in a battery. The larger the battery size (kWh), the longer the driving range available.
HEVs use a traditional petrol/diesel engine (ICE) and self-charging battery-driven electric motor, offering the ability to switch between each power source.
PHEVs are driven by a combination of power from a larger electric battery and a traditional petrol/diesel engine (ICE). The battery needs to be plugged into charge.
The long-term savings you’ll enjoy when it comes to fuel, tax, and maintenance can be huge, especially if you are covering a lot of miles in your electric vans. You’ll also avoid charges in the growing number of locations with Clean Air Zones (CAZ) and Low Emission Zones (LEZ).
Since they have fewer moving parts than petrol or diesel vans, electric vans are less expensive to maintain. Automatic transmission reduces strain on components like the brakes, reducing maintenance costs.
With various schemes in place from the Government, it’s never been easier to switch to an electric van. These can help offset the costs of buying an electric van, which can be more expensive initially.
By driving an electric van, you’ll be being much kinder to the environment. Since fully electric vans produce no emissions at the tailpipe, they help contribute to cleaner air for both humans and nature to enjoy.
Your reputation says a lot about your business. With more focus around making sustainable choices, driving an electric van could help to boost your eco credentials. A friend to the environment is a friend to anyone!
Driving can be tiresome when spending a lot of time in your van. With an electric vans, the process is a lot smoother and less stressful. Fully electric vans are automatic, offering smoother acceleration and braking and there’s no dancing about with gears. Perfect for rush hour!
If you’ve never driven an electric van before, it can be hard to know if it’s the right choice for you. There are a few things you’ll need to consider, such as:
The suitability of going electric will depend on the regular distances you drive in your van in a single journey, as well as the nature of your trips.
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The need for your van to tow trailers or transport heavy loads are thing you will need to consider before switching to electric.
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There's lots of charging options for electric vans, but the ability to charge at home, at work or on the go are all things to think about.
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If your business has a need to lower emissions or reduce costs, going to an electric van could be a solution with lots of benefits.
Learn moreCheck out our article on How to Decide if an Electric Van is Right for You for more information to help you decide.
Along with the growth of electric vans, there have also been a lot of misconceptions and rumours. Oftentimes, this comes from not knowing the correct information to help establish the facts.
Enter our myth-buster guide! Read about the most common misconceptions about electric vans below.
This may be true when comparing the upfront costs, though it’s the long-term savings where there’s a difference. Fully electric vans are solely powered by electricity, meaning you’ll save on both fuel costs and maintenance!
If you regularly make longer journeys, then an electric van may not be as practical since you’ll have to charge it more often. For shorter journeys throughout the workday, an electric van will be ideal.
With other 51,000 charging points (and counting!) nationwide – we’d say otherwise! With an electric van, you’ll have access to a vast network of charging points on the go, so you’ll never be short of power.
While it’s true that electric batteries can be expensive to replace, most electric vans come with a comprehensive warranty. There’s also work being done currently to make electric batteries more recyclable, “so they may actually be reusable one day!
We’re glad to put this one to bed! When it comes to electric vans, there are a wide number of options available from top manufacturers. At Vansdirect, you can choose and electric van from Renault, Mercedes-Benz, Peugeot, Ford and many more!
Now, it’s never been easier to get an electric van. There are a range of Government grants and incentives available to help you make the switch.
The Plug-in Van Grant (PiVG)
EV Chargepoint Grant
The On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS)
The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS)
UK charging locations
charging devices
increase in charging points last year
invested in charging infrastructure last year
With over 51,000 charging points in the UK according to leading supplier Zap Map*, you’ll never be short of power. Want to find your nearest charging point? Use our live map to find a charge point near you.
*As of October 2023
Need help choosing your new electric van? Read our new electric van reviews written by van experts, and take it from those who know!
In this article, we’ll take you through the different types of electric vans, breaking down all those acronyms so you know what’s what.
In this article, we’ll walk you through electric van payloads and how this affects towing and range.
Learn all about the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) and how it could benefit you as an electric van driver.
So, you’ve bought an electric van and now you are probably wondering about charging. We’ve rounded up our top 10 electric van charging tips.
This guide outlines all you need to know about the On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme. Read on to learn more.
Is there a full electric van?
Can I get a grant or incentive to help purchase an electric van?
How long does it take to charge an electric van?
How much does it cost to charge an electric van?
Are electric vans cheaper to run than petrol and diesel vans?
Will I have enough range for day-to-day work?
What’s the payload like for electric vans?
Are electric vans hard to drive?
How long do batteries last in electric vans?
Contact us today if you have any electric van queries