FAQs

Electric vans offer eco-friendly transportation solutions, emitting zero tailpipe emissions. They typically have lower operating costs and reduced maintenance needs compared to traditional vans. With advancements in battery technology, range anxiety is decreasing, making them viable for various delivery and commercial applications.

A full electric vehicle or EV is powered only by a battery. A PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid) uses both an electric drive motor and battery with a range of 20 to 60 miles and a small traditional combustion engine.

Hybrid electric vehicles have an Internal Combustion Engine and a battery. HEVs will use the battery whilst at low speeds, and the ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) at higher speeds. Rather than charging the battery through an external charging point, Hybrids charge their batteries from their combustion engines or through recouping power with ‘regenerative braking’.

Yes! Initially, most of the EV market was made up of electric cars. This is because manufacturers needed to make sure an electric van could match the capabilities of a diesel van – such as carrying heavy loads. There are now a range of electric vans of all sizes. Check out our range here!

Although electric vans have a high purchase cost, they are a lot more affordable when you consider leasing – and the government incentives. At Global Vans, we understand the financial limitations of small businesses – that’s why we offer some of the best electric van leasing deals on the market, and tailor the finance to you. There are many reasons why leasing an electric van is a good idea. The environmental impact of electric vans is a particularly important consideration; they contribute to reducing carbon emissions, making them an attractive choice for businesses aiming to achieve sustainability goals. Additionally, electric vans have lower maintenance and running costs which help make them a worthwhile and cost-effective choice. Various government incentives and grants are also available to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles.

If you work in a town or city an electric van will allow you to travel exempt of expensive Clean Air Zone charges, and you’ll never be far from a charging point. If you’re travelling over 250 miles per journey, then you may want to turn to a diesel van until EV range increases. An EV can be cost-efficient and a great boost to your business’s green credentials. If you’d like to talk it through further, speak to one of our experts on 0117 962 5314.

Electric vans are eligible for certain tax exemptions, including road tax benefits. This exemption aligns with the government’s initiative to encourage the adoption of low-emission and zero-emission vehicles. For more information, please read our complete guide on electric vans

Because electric vans have no emissions, they are exempt from congestion charges and any charges related to clean air zones (CAZ) or ultra-low emission zones (ULEZ). Some hybrid vehicles are also exempt from charges in clean air zones if they meet the low emission requirements.

To encourage uptake on electric vehicles, the UK government have introduced grants to make electric vehicles more affordable. The plug-in vehicle grant offers £2,500 off the price of a small electric van and £5,000 off the price of a large electric van. Read More Here

When you lease or buy an electric vehicle, the supplier will apply the grant to the price of the vehicle. You won’t need to do anything!

The Workplace Charging Scheme covers up to 75% of the cost of installation and purchase of EV charging points for your business. Meaning you’ll be able to charge your vehicle at your place of business. Read More Here

Electric vans have a charge port – this is sometimes located in the badge at the front of the vehicle, or towards the rear on the side of the van (where you would find the fuel cap). You select a charging cable to match the charger you’re using and plug the vehicle in. Once the vehicle is charged, just un-plug and go about your day!

There are three main types of charging for electric vehicles – Rapid, Fast and Slow. Rapid chargers can be found at motorway service stations, where re-charging in a hurry is important. These chargers supply large amounts of power (typically 50kW) and can almost fully charge an EV in around half an hour. Fast chargers offer between 7kW and 22 kW of power- allowing EVs to recharge in between 1-6 hours, depending on power output. These are usually found in public areas where you are likely to park for longer. Slow: A Wall Box charging station is definitely the most convenient of EV charging options. You can get a wall box installed at home, or wherever you leave the van overnight. Wall Boxes are an example of Slow EV charging. Put in the simplest terms, how fast your electric vehicle charges depends on the power output of the charger you’re using, the size of the vehicle’s battery, and its maximum charge-rate capability.

Although you can often plug your EV into a standard 3-pin plug to charge, a better option would be to install a wall box charger. There are numerous companies across the UK offering wall-box charger installations. You can even get deals with your energy supplier specifically tailored for at-home EV charging. If your business is registered to your home, you may also be able to take advantage of the Workplace Charging Scheme. For more info check out our FAQ section on Government Incentives.

When you’re looking at how long an EV takes to charge, you’ll often see this quoted up to 80% e.g. “The Renault e-Kangoo charges from 0-80% in 45 minutes on a rapid charger”. This is because battery charging slows after 80% to prevent over-charging and preserve the life of the battery.

There are EV public charging networks across the UK. These work much like a fuel station – you find a free charge point, plug your vehicle in and pay. You can either pay by credit/debit card, or through one of the many EV Charging apps available to electric vehicle users. These apps often contain a map of useable charge points and offer payment deals for charging.

If the average price of diesel at the time of writing is 1.52p per litre, then a 100 mile journey would cost approximately £18. Fully charging your electric vehicle at home will give you the full range of your vehicle for approx. £10, making electric charging much cheaper. You could even take advantage of the energy tariffs available to EV users. While it’s much cheaper to charge an electric van than fill a diesel van with fuel, a full charge from an EV wallbox could take between 14 and 22 hours.

Range is the expected driving distance you can expect from an electric van on a full charge.

The range of an electric van varies based on multiple factors such as battery capacity, driving conditions, weather, payload, and driving habits. Depending on the make and model, electric vans can achieve ranges between 100 and 250 miles on a single charge. However, it’s essential to consider real-world conditions and the weight of your cargo when estimating the effective range.

EVs hate the cold. Low temperatures can have a significant adverse effect on battery life, in some cases nearly halving the range from a full charge. Other factors include cabin heating and air-con. Factors like the amount of weight you’re carrying in your EV or if you’re towing something can also reduce the range of the vehicle. Simply put, anything that adds demand to the battery will reduce the range.

If you’ve been researching electric vans, you’ll have come across the term range anxiety. It refers to the worry that you will run out of charge before you’ve arrived at your destination, or reached a charge point.

Although many of the newest Electric Vans have a quoted range of over well over 100 miles, this is still nowhere near the standard driving range you would expect from a tank of diesel. So, if you are looking to drive uninterrupted for any significant distance, then going electric (for now) is probably not for you.

Although there are emissions produced from the manufacture of electric vehicles, over their lifespan the consensus is that they produce far less harmful emissions than traditional combustion engine vehicles.

Emissions are the gases produced when the fuel from a traditional petrol or diesel vehicle combusts. Gases like Nitrous Oxide (NOx) and Carbon Monoxide (CO) are harmful to the environment and also contribute to the poor air quality in towns and cities. EVs don’t use fuel, therefore they are classed as zero emission vehicles.

CAZ (Clean Air Zone), ZEZ (Zero Emission Zone) and ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) refer to areas in cities across the UK where schemes have been put in place to reduce harmful pollution. Daily charges have been introduced to dissuade drivers of more polluting vehicles from entering these areas. Vehicles with no emissions such as EVs or those that comply with the European Emissions Standards will not get charged for entering.

Green credentials refers to how environmentally friendly your business is. Having an EV can be a great way to prove to your customers that you care about how your vehicle affects the environment.

The UK government have mandated that by 2030 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans sold in Britain are to be zero emission. This is to increase to 100% by 2035.

The first major difference you notice when you’re driving an Electric Van is the noise – or rather the lack of it. Without the noise of an engine, electric vans are near-silent, with a soft hum only noticeable at lower speeds. The other difference to note is electric vehicles can provide maximum torque instantly – meaning you have full power immediately on pulling away.

EVs are all automatic, as there is no traditional engine, there is no need for gears. Most electric vans are likely to have Driving Modes such as Eco, Normal and Sport. This will manage the amount of power from the battery released to the drive motor.

Regenerative braking harvests the kinetic energy from braking to recharge the battery. So, when you ease up on the throttle, you may feel a more powerful slowing of the vehicle than expected. Depending on your driving mode, this may be more pronounced – for example Eco mode would require recouping more energy and take advantage of the regenerative braking capacity of the vehicle.

Torque refers to the instant acceleration capabilities of an EV. This is one of the most noticeable differences when you drive an EV for the first time, allowing you access to the full power of the vehicle instantly on pulling away.

Select Eco mode (or equivalent) and do your best to utilize the regenerative braking capacity of the vehicle, rather than relying on the brakes. Try and reduce the amount of electric you’re using in the vehicle, such as A/C. Instead, many electric vans offer the ability to pre-heat or cool the cabin before you set off. This is referred to as pre-conditioning and can even be controlled by the manufacturer’s app like Ford SYNC.

The cost comparison between electric vans and diesel vans involves considering both upfront expenses and long-term operational costs. Electric vehicles have lower running costs due to cheaper electricity compared to diesel, reduced maintenance needs (from fewer moving parts), and tax incentives or exemptions. Businesses that operate within urban areas where emission regulations are strict, such as London’s ULEZ, find electric vans can save them thousands in expensive clean air zone charges.

Insurance premiums for electric vans may differ from those of traditional diesel vans due to various factors. Initially, insurance premiums for electric vehicles might have been higher due to their relatively new technology and perceived risks. However, as the electric vehicle market matures and insurers gain more telematics data on their performance and safety, insurance premiums are becoming more competitive and aligning with those of traditional vehicles.

The depreciation rate of electric vans can vary depending on market demand, technological advancements, and battery lifespan. Due to rapid advancements in electric vehicle technology and concerns about battery degradation, some electric vans might have experienced higher value depreciation compared to traditional vehicles.

We work to make EV leasing easy. Just speak to one of our team about your requirements (van size, range, budget). We’ll find your perfect electric van and tailor a finance agreement to suit your budget and usage. We’ll organize all the paperwork and arrange delivery of your new van. It’s that easy!

Leasing is more cost-effective than buying. When you lease, you spread the cost over an agreed period, so you’re not tied into a depreciating asset or left to fork out a huge amount of capital upfront. Despite the government grants available, buying an electric van outright is still expensive. Leasing makes electric vehicles more affordable by allowing you to pay a fixed monthly price towards a fully warranted brand-new van.

All new vans come with a Manufacturer’s Warranty. This is a guarantee from the manufacturer of your vehicle that obliges them to fix faults, mechanical breakdowns, or vehicle malfunctions during the warranty period. You’ll be able to find a list of exactly what is covered on your manufacturer’s website.

Most Manufacturers will offer a separate warranty for your electric van’s battery. This will cover faults with the battery for at least the first 3 years of your lease. Always check the manufacturer’s website for full details of what is and isn’t covered by your warranty.

Electric vans are designed with durability in mind and can have a similar lifespan to traditional diesel vans. The longevity of an electric van largely depends on battery health and usage patterns. Lithium-ion batteries, the primary power source for electric vehicles, degrade over time due to charging cycles and environmental conditions. However, with regular maintenance and proper charging practices, you can significantly prolong the lifespan of your electric van. Electric van manufacturers will offer a Battery Warranty on top of your regular Manufacturer’s Warranty, so you’ll be covered for at least the first 3 years of your lease!

As with all new vans, you won’t need an MOT for the first 3 years. After that, you will need to ensure the vehicle gets an annual MOT.

While you have the vehicle, it is your responsibility to ensure it is properly maintained to avoid unnecessary depreciation. You can take out ServicePlus maintenance plan alongside your lease, which will take care of scheduled services and repairs from wear and tear.