e-Vans

Fuel

‘Fuel’ costs are significantly lower and servicing and maintenance costs are usually reduced as EVs have fewer moving parts than diesel or petrol vehicles

Environment

EVs have a positive effect on the environment, cutting tailpipe emissions. This also helps to meet the requirements of low-emission or clean-air zones in UK cities

Last mile

Electric vans offer a great option for last-mile delivery – something that’s been growing significantly in the past year as home deliveries rise.

Vehicle choice

While the car market has just as many plug-in hybrid models (if not more) as there are fully electric models, the focus for vans is on fully electric vehicles (EVs). When choosing an electric van, you’ll need to consider your payload and capacity needs, just as you would for a petrol or diesel vehicle, but you’ll also need to look for an adequate range to cover your average daily mileage.

Charging

Refuelling is a consideration for any vehicle, but how does this differ for EVs? Consider whether you could operate for the whole day on a single charge, or whether you’d need to charge en route. Our partnership with NewMotion means that we can offer smart charge points at offices and homes throughout the UK, but this isn’t necessarily the only option as the number of public charge points across the UK is also increasing rapidly.

Cost

Although an electric van may appear more expensive up front, ‘fuel’ costs are significantly lower and servicing and maintenance costs are usually reduced as EVs have fewer moving parts than diesel or petrol vehicles. This means that, throughout the life of the vehicle, the overall costs may be very similar.

Temperature

Cold weather affects the battery performance of electric vehicles in terms of capacity and braking regeneration, as well as things like heating the cabin which would traditionally use waste heat from a petrol or diesel engine. Our research shows a clear correlation between the ambient temperature and the performance of electric vans, so it’s important to plan for reduced performance throughout the winter months.

Duty Cycle

As with diesel vans, the type of driving has the greatest impact on the performance of an electric van. Our research shows that overall, electric vans are at their most efficient when operating at rural (mid) speeds. The repeated stop/start nature of lower speed urban journeys, and the higher speeds of motorway journeys, have a more significant impact on the vehicle’s performance so you should consider how your vehicle is typically used.

Payload

All vans are affected by their payload, and electric vehicles are no exception. However, our research shows that the impact of payload on electric vans is broadly similar to the impact on diesel vans, which typically see a 20% increase in fuel use for a 75% payload compared to a 0% load. A combination of temperature, duty cycle and payload will affect your overall results.

*Initial payment based on 9 months advanced payment followed by 47 months and 40,000 miles. Excludes maintenance and additional options. Subject to terms, conditions and status. You will not own the vehicle at the end of the agreement. Excess Mileage and Fair Wear and Tear charges may apply. Offer subject to availability. Images are for illustrative purposes only.

Can I get a home charging unit?

If you're interested in home charging, we have partnered with NewMotion to bring you an easy, smart charging offer with hassle-free installation at a suitable premises.

Is leasing an electric van different to leasing a petrol or diesel van?

There is no fundamental difference between leasing an electric van and a petrol or diesel van beyond the vehicle itself.

What happens if my electric van breaks down?

The AA, our recovery partners, will attend to your van at the roadside and, as with any petrol or diesel van, if it cannot be repaired roadside, it will be recovered to an agreed location.

Can you tell me the range / performance of the van?

Each manufacturer will publish the official range and performance figures for their vans.

Will it cost less to run an electric van than a petrol or diesel van?

Although the initial cost of an electric van can be more expensive than a petrol or diesel equivalent, it is often considerably cheaper to run given the price of eletricticy vs. petrol or diesel.

Can an electric van carry as much weight as my diesel van?

Although an electric motor is lighter than a diesel engine, the additional weight of the batteries can sometimes mean that the payload of an electric van is a little lower than a diesel equivalent.

Will an electric van perform as well in the winter as it does in the summer?

Temperature does affect the range of battery-powered vehicles, so generally an electric van will have a lower range in the winter than in the summer.