Going Green: Transitioning to Eco-Friendly Vans
In this article, we take you through everything you need to know about transitioning to electric vans. From making the switch to the benefits of managing an eco-friendly fleet.
- According to the Department for Transport (DfT), most fleets consist of at least 10 vans on average, while one in 10 businesses operate over 100.
- With the Government set to ban new petrol and diesel vehicle sales in 2035, many businesses are starting to prepare early
- Transitioning to an electric fleet offers several benefits, and it’s never too soon to start the process
As a business owner or fleet manager, it’s important to always be thinking ahead to the future.
With the transport industry changing considerably, this will impact the way many businesses work.
The Government ban on new petrol and diesel vehicle sales will begin in 2035. Meanwhile, more and more UK cities are cracking down on pollution with costly Low Emission Zones (LEZs) and Clean Air Zones (CAZs).
With such rapid changes comes the need for adaptation, so that businesses can continue to operate efficiently. Here’s why you may want to consider transitioning to electric vans, and how to go about it.
Benefits of switching to eco-friendly vans
Whether you’ve previously been an electric sceptic or are new to EVs. There are lots of ways you could benefit from electrifying your fleet.
These include:
- Zero road tax and congestion zone charges - helping the average fleet save as much as £14,300 a year.
- Reduced maintenance costs - electric vans cost around 30% less to maintain than petrol or diesel models.
- Increased driver retention - studies have shown that drivers of electric vehicles are less stressed behind the wheel.
- Enhanced business image - almost half of UK consumers choose to use more sustainable businesses.
- Grants and incentives – Government grants to help make the transition more affordable.
Things to consider when switching to electric vans
Feeling won over when reading the benefits above? Great! But there are a few things you need to consider before making the switch.
While it may be tempting to bulk-buy some electric vans so you can immediately reap the rewards, there’s a much better way to go about it. It all starts with research.
Depending on the nature of your business, running an electric fleet may not be practical. So, it’s important to first consider the needs of your business and whether EVs fit in.
Here are some of the things you’ll need to consider to determine this:
Where are your vans being driven?
If your vans are mostly driven around urban areas with plenty of charging access, electric vans will fit in nicely. However, if your drivers are heading much further afield, they may not be as practical.
Think about duty cycles
Start-stop driving is actually better for electric vehicles when it comes to battery life.
How will they be charged?
If you haven’t already got on-site charging, then you’ll need to arrange this. Depending on your current fleet usage, it may be more practical to consider electric fuel cards and have drivers top-up on the go.
Payloads and usage
Another thing to consider is how daily usage could be impacted by adding electric vans to your fleet. If your fleet consists mainly of smaller, light-duty vans then these can be replaced with EVs with little to no impact.
However, if your fleet consists of larger vans, switching them to electric versions will mean you’ll have to sacrifice on payload. This is because electric vans typically see a lower payload than petrol or diesel vans due to the weight of the battery.
Most of this information about your fleet can be obtained using vehicle telematics data. Once you have this available, you’ll then be able to make a more informed decision.
How to make the transition to electric vans
So you’ve gathered all the information needed about your current fleet and decided to introduce electric vans. But what about when it comes to actually starting the process?
Implementing an electric fleet in your business is a careful process that should not be rushed. The best way to make the transition to an electric fleet is gradually.
Below, we’ve provided some helpful tips:
1. Conduct a pilot test
First, you’ll want to trial only a small number of electric vans and monitor performance and efficiency.
2. Prioritise models to be replaced
Some electric vans can be more expensive than their petrol or diesel equivalents, so it’s unlikely you’ll be able to replace them all at once. Make a list of the vans you need replacing and prioritise those first.
3. Provide driver training
Before introducing electric vans, you should consider providing specific training for your drivers. This should include good driving practices to help optimise range, so you can make sure your electric vans are used efficiently.
4. Consider affordable payment options
Since electric vans are more expensive to buy outright, you may want to look into more affordable finance options.
At Vansdirect for instance, we offer a selection of finance options including Hire Purchase, Contract Hire, and Van Leasing. These can be tailored to your budget, with manageable monthly instalments to help spread the costs.
5. Create a long-term plan
After trialling electric vans, educating drivers, and getting your finances in order, you might want to create a long-term plan. This could contain actionable goals to help you gradually make the switch to an electric van fleet.
You could agree to replace a specific number of your vans with electric models by a certain date. You could also aim to implement efficient charging practices if you have on-site charging.
Grants and incentives for electric vans
Thanks to several Government grants and incentives for electric vans, there’s no need to be put off by costs. These help to fund the costs of an electric van through either a discount from the purchase price or installing charging points.
The main electric van grants to be aware of are:
Plug-in Van Grant (PiVG)
The PiVG offers a discount of £2,500 for small electric vans, and £5,000 for large electric vans. To be eligible for the grant, small vans must weigh less than 2,500kg, while large vans must weigh between 2,500-4,250kg.
They must also produce less than 50g/km of CO2 emissions and be able to travel at least 60 miles emissions-free. You can learn more about the PiVG in our complete guide.
EV Chargepoint Grant
The EV Chargepoint Grant helps towards the installation of home charging parts. Renters, flat owners and landlords are all eligible to apply for the grant.
Renters and flat owners can receive up to £350 towards the costs of installing an EV chargepoint. Landlords can claim up to £500 per parking bay for chargepoint installation (capped at a maximum of 60).
In addition to identifying as one of the above, you’ll also need to have access to off-street parking, and have use of an electric vehicle. Learn more about eligibility criteria in our EV Chargepoint Grant guide.
New electric vans for sale at Vansdirect
Looking to upgrade your fleet with a new electric van? At Vansdirect, we can help. We have a wide range of new electric vans for sale from top brands, including Citroen, Peugeot, Mercedes-Benz and more.
Check out our top six electric vans for 2024 to get some inspiration for starting your search. Alternatively, get in touch with our team of van specialists who can help you find the perfect van for your business.
Explore our flexible van finance options now to help with your lease, as well as our other services. From maintenance and fuel cards, to racking, livery, and more.