Electric vehicles are transportation machines that are propelled by electric motors, usually using batteries, fuel cells, solar panels, or electric generators.

The technology of electric vehicles started midway through the 19th century when electricity gained popularity as a means of propelling motor vehicles, offering a degree of satisfaction and easy application that was not possible with gasoline-powered vehicles at that time.

Although motor vehicles powered by internal combustion engines have been the primary means of propulsion for about a century, the use of electricity as a source of power has remained prevalent in smaller vehicles and trains.

The popularity of electric vehicles was revitalised in the 21st century due to the advancement in the automobile industry and the heightened focus of using renewable energy as a means of engine propulsion. In an effort to entice the public to embrace this movement, the government is willing to offe grants to those who are willing to invest in low-emission vehicles.

What is the best electric van?

It is a fact that electric vehicles are gaining popularity in the UK and those that specifically use batteries as an energy source will play an important role in the evolution of the automobile industry. As more and more car manufacturers introduce models of electric vans that perform well as compared to their predecessors, battery electric vehicles are here to stay.

Although electric vans contribute to a tiny percentage of the overall automobile sales at the moment, the concern for environmental impact and the popularity of finding eco-friendly solutions has been a growing concern for the public: this concern has compelled various enterprises and individual consumers to adopt electric vehicles for business or personal reasons.

With each passing year, the performance and quality of electric vans are getting better and while there are drawbacks to its usage, it comes with several benefits too. Here are the pros and cons of using electric vans.

Advantages of Electric Vans

• Cost of operation. Electric vehicles are typically cheaper to run compared to diesel-powered vehicles because the cost per mile of electricity as a power source is lower. Aside from that, they reduce the cost of maintenance as electric vehicles have fewer moving parts and are less hard on the brakes.
• Ease of operation. Unlike diesel-powered vehicles, electric engines can supply a smooth and immediate engine force.
• Eco-friendly. Unlike gasoline-powered vehicles, electric vans do not emit nitrogen oxide or carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere and can work towards improving the air quality in urban areas.
• Government incentives. If you are planning to invest in brand new low-emission vehicles, the government can help you lower your cost of operation by giving you discounts through vehicle dealerships and manufacturers. The grant will shoulder 20% of the purchase price of your preferred vehicle, a discount of which will have a maximum amount of £8,000.
• Quieter engine. Electric vans can offer a more comfortable and pleasant driving experience due to its silent engines. In some cases, you can only hear a hum when the vehicle is being run at a low speed. This is good when the vehicle is used for services that are rendered during unsocial hours, considering that a traditional van might only bring about noise complaints.
• Public representation. If you want your business to have an eco-friendly image, investing in electric vans is a feasible course of action. Currently, several major brands are adopting this socially conscious movement.

Disadvantages of Electric Vans

• Availability of charging stations. It takes quite some time to charge electric vehicles. Not only that, charging stations are not as plentiful as traditional fuel stations. As of now, charging your electric van is not as convenient as filling up your traditional van, but they’re working on it.
• Cost of acquisition. The components of electric vehicles doesn’t come cheap. For instance, the integral element of batteries alone are made from expensive components. On the other hand, running it is cheaper in the long run compared to traditional vans.
• Driving range. Although electric vans are not capable of driving as far as conventional vans, vehicle manufacturers are constantly working on improving the “driving range.” As of now, long-distance travel is only possible if there are charging stations along your journey and you need to stop often to charge your batteries. This may be inconvenient, especially if you are in a hurry.
• Duration of charging. Different vehicle manufacturers have different charging systems and the duration of charging depends on the power they are capable of storing. It is common knowledge that recharging an electric van takes longer than refuelling a conventional van. If your electric van is using a DC rapid charger, it may take about 40 minutes to fully charge. If you have a charging station at home, it is normally an overnight charge using a DC charged. On the other hand, using a traditional 3 pin plug will take you an entire day.
• Vehicle weight and performance. The components that give power to electric vehicles are heavy. So much so that the government has increased the gross vehicle weight allowance of electric vans from 3.5 tonnes to 4.25 tonnes. It is common knowledge that battery life tends to deteriorate over time, which means that your vehicle performance will gradually reduce as well.

The Best Small Electric Van UK

The best small electric van in the UK will depend on several factors; the best choice will come after taking into consideration your purpose for purchasing an electric van, your budget and judging between the pros and cons. In addition to these factors, weigh in the plug-in grant that the government has given for investors of low-emission vehicles.

As we have mentioned earlier, a discount of 20% will be taken from the brand new vehicle’s purchase price, which is capped at £8,000. The manufacturers and vehicle dealers will automatically give this discount to you.

If you are still undecided, the best thing that you should do is to speak to a local van dealer like Big Van World with your questions. They can arrange a proposition that will be beneficial for you and your business.