With the government laying out its Net Zero Strategy1 to decarbonise all sectors of the UK economy by 2050, fleet owners and van drivers are feeling the pressure to make the switch to EVs.
In fact, Vansdirect has spotted searches for ‘how much are electric vans’ are up by 100% over the last three months, while searches for ‘best electric vans’ have increased by 24% in the same period.
However, despite the growing interest in EVs, there are still lots of misconceptions about making the switch to electric vans.
To help, the experts at Vansdirect have shed light on the increasing popularity and misconceptions around switching to electric vans:
“Electric vans are an increasingly attractive option for those considering a shift from traditional fuel models, aligning government regulations, the evolving demand for vehicle efficiency, and environmental consciousness.
“However, there are still some reservations from drivers around switching to an EV. And given the multitude of myths and misconceptions circulating, this may not be much of a surprise.
“So, it’s important to separate the facts from fiction to fully understand whether the switch to an EV is for you.”
To address these concerns, Vansdirect have debunked 5 of the most common misconceptions surrounding electric vans:
Myth 1: Electric vans can’t travel far enough
The range of an electric van depends on the make and model, with most offering 100 to 200 miles on a full charge.
And considering that half of vans travel less than 15 miles from their base per day2, electric vans are well suited to most business needs.
There are also things you can do to optimise your electric van’s range. For example, by minimising the weight in your van, you can maximise its range. Similarly, optimal tyre pressure can also ensure your electric van can travel further. Some EVs even come with regenerative braking, which uses kinetic energy from braking to recharge your battery.
Myth 2: There aren’t enough public charge points available
The UK boasts over 53,000 public charging stations, as well as private charge points at homes and workplaces, with this figure only increasing.
Modern electric vans typically have built-in navigation systems to help locate nearby public charging stations in real-time. What’s more, smartphone apps like Zap Map can show the status of charging stations, letting you know if they’re available before you get there.
Myth 3: EVs are too expensive
Although electric vans generally come with a higher initial investment due to their innovative technology, prices are expected to fall as they are adopted more widely.
However, the long-term running costs for EVs are notably lower. For example, owners benefit from tax exemptions, free entry to Low and Zero Emission Zones, and less frequent maintenance needs because of fewer moving parts, resulting in financial savings over time.
The charging costs for electric vans compared to their petrol and diesel counterparts can be significantly cheaper, meaning you can save money on your business’ day to day costs.
Myth 4: Electric vans still produce lots of emissions
Electric vans offer the advantage of producing zero tailpipe emissions, setting them apart from petrol and diesel vans.
And while charging electric vehicles does produce some carbon dioxide emissions, these are substantially lower than those from fossil fuel–based vehicles.
Furthermore, the electricity for charging is increasingly sourced from renewables, and as the UK moves toward further decarbonisation, the environmental impact of charging EVs will continue to decrease.
Myth 5: An electric van will take too long to charge
Rapid chargers can boost many electric van batteries to 80% in around 30 minutes, which, despite being longer than a traditional fuel stop, offers a good opportunity for a break or to tackle some work tasks.
If you can charge your van overnight, you avoid the issue of charging time affecting your day. Simply plug in at the end of the day and, by morning, your van will be fully charged and ready for action.
