Many of us want to do our bit to help our environment, and electric vans can help us do just that. Fully electric vans have zero tailpipe emissions, which means they are greener, cleaner and better for our environment. Plug-in hybrids also emit zero tailpipe emissions, but only when being driven in electric mode, which will differ depending on their EV range.
As the government plans to turn the UK Green, we have everything you need to know about electrifying your commercial vehicle fleet. From FAQs to cost comparison models, browse through our resources designed to support your electrification journey and if you want to know more, our team of experts are always on hand to help you.
Benefits of Electric Vans
Still undecided whether an electric van is right for you or for your business? With the number of electric vans models increasing rapidly, choosing to switch to electric is becoming a more viable option for many.
To help you decide, we’ve listed some of the key benefits that electric vans can bring.
Whilst the actual price of an electric van may currently be slightly higher than the petrol or diesel version, the cost to run one is significantly cheaper in the long run.
When you think of a petrol or diesel van, you appreciate that the engine is rather complex, requiring many additional components to operate correctly – exhaust systems, starter motors, fuel injection systems, oil, radiators, gears.
But pure electric vans, on the other hand, have just three main components – the on-board charger, inverter and motor – and fewer moving parts than cars with an internal combustion engine. This means there are less things requiring maintenance and servicing is simpler. All of which could significantly save money.
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) can also be cheaper to maintain than ‘traditional’ petrol or diesel-powered alternatives. Whilst these have a petrol engine that needs regular servicing, the electrical motor requires little maintenance due to far fewer moving parts, which leads to less wear and tear of the petrol engine component.
Compared to petrol or diesel, electricity is cheap. On a cost per mile basis this means a pure electric van could cost a third (or less) of what a traditional petrol or diesel van might cost. Plug-in hybrids efficiently combine an electric motor with a petrol or diesel engine, meaning they too can be considerably cheaper to run. The cost savings will be greatest when owners charge at home and have access to an off-peak overnight electricity tariff.
The good news is that to support the drive towards switching to electric vans, the government have put in place a number of great incentives- for both businesses and individuals. Take a look at which ones may help you on your EV journey here.
Electric vehicles emit zero emissions, and therefore are exempt from ULEZ, CAZ, and LEZ charges.
In ICE vans, drivers have to make planned trips to the petrol station to fill up- when using an electric van, vehicles can be charged overnight or while the vehicle is not in use! Often resulting in a more convenient solution.
For those worried about the vehicle ranges- rapid chargers are available across the UK (use the free Zap Map tool to find chargers near you). So while you stop for your lunch break, you can top up your battery.
What vans are available?
Wondering what the EV market looks like? Take a look at some of the best electric vans on the market right now.
EV Cost Comparison
Often when considering whether to switch to an EV, there are some concerns that they are too expensive. There are a number of factors that make an EV cheaper than its equivalent if you take running costs and lifetime costs into account. Here are KINTO we have created some EV cost comparison examples, to show how an EV can compare to its petrol and diesel counterparts.
CAZ, ULEZ, LEZ
CAZ, ULEZ and LEZ affect millions of drivers across the UK, and can have an impact on commercial fleets. It is important to be aware of the rules in order to avoid additional charges.
You can find out more information about CAZ, ULEZ, LEZ and Congestion charges below or visit our EV Government & Legislation page.
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Clean Air Zones
Everything you need to know about Clean Air Zones across the UK.
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Ultra Low Emission Zones
Central London has seen the introduction of the Ultra Low Emission Zone.
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Congestion Charges in London
Everything you need about Congestion Charges in the capital.
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At Incora, our green agenda is important to us so we look at ways of reducing our carbon footprint across our organisation. Having a green company car scheme supports this. We offer PHEV and EVs only to employees who are eligible for the scheme, we also help them get set up by installing charge points at their homes and as well as providing workplace charging. We work with KINTO, as it was clear that they shared our values and have the ability to support us as we continue to further improve upon our green agenda.
Daniel Hall, Senior Reward Manager, Incora
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FAQs
Here at KINTO we often get asked a lot of questions about switching to electric vans, we've pulled together the most frequently asked to help.
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EV Hub
Why not visit the KINTO Charged EV Hub- we've got lots more information to help you move towards a more sustainable future.