Electrifying Your Company Fleet
Businesses that use vans for service and delivery have an opportunity to be more environmentally friendly by migrating to electric vans. The switch from fossil-fuel vehicles to battery-powered electric vehicles reduces your company’s carbon footprint while elevating your reputation as a standout, green company committed to doing good.
There are many economical and practical electric van options for business owners to choose from. This article covers what the buyer should look for and recommends the best options based on your business situation.
Gas Powered Vans Impact on the Environment
In the U.S., the transport sector accounts for the largest proportion of carbon emissions (29%), which many experts state is accelerating climate change. electric vehicles (EVs) have played a pivotal role in the progress towards decarbonizing the world’s energy needs and moving us towards a low-carbon economy.
Benefits Of Using Electric Vans
There are many benefits to switching your business’ transportation to electric vehicles such as:
- Cost Savings – Transitioning to EVs can help businesses reduce the total cost of ownership of fleets, transportation networks and public transport fleets. By reducing fuel costs and taking advantage of government incentives and tax benefits, organizations can see significant savings.
- Improved Reputation – Offering EV charging infrastructure and transitioning fleets to EVs provide businesses and public bodies with a credible role in reducing global greenhouse gas emissions and inspiring wider EV adoption across society. And this role is increasingly being recognized as important for organizations to engage with.
- New Revenue Source – Directly, businesses that install on-site generation and storage infrastructure to support EV charging can generate revenue through energy optimization strategies, while also taking advantage of supply-side incentives.
- Regulation Compliance – Regulations are constantly shifting but by switching to EVs, your organization reduces the risk of not being compliant with increasingly stringent government regulations, protecting your company’s reputation.
- Employee Satisfaction – Workers will be able to take advantage of at-work charging stations and appreciate the company’s commitment to sustainability.
Buying Considerations
When buying an electric van you should consider the needs of your business and choose your perfect electric van by the following criteria:
- Size of van including cargo capacity
- Charge time and driving range based on typical mileage per full charge
- Price including purchase vs lease options
- Quality including track record and manufacturer reputation
- Special features your business may require including tech, safety, 4-wheel drive, lifts, etc.
Sustainable Electric Van Models
Based on our research, here are 8 of the best electric vans:
The Peugeot e-Partner is a small van front-runner with plenty of versatility and tech features. It comes with a 50 kWh battery with a range of 171 miles. Charge time takes roughly 30 minutes to reach 80% when plugged into a 100kW charge port, while a full charge takes five hours when connected to an 11kW wall box. The Peugeot e-Partner is known to be comfortable to drive, has lots of practical touches and big payload weights.
Available in three different body lengths and two wheelbase lengths, the mid-size Citroen e-Dispatch is a great van to drive, but cargo space isn’t the biggest in its class. It’s comfortable to drive, has good fuel economy and includes the latest safety and driver assist technology. Two battery options are available: the standard 50 kWh at a range of 144 miles and the larger 75 kWh at 205 miles.
The all-electric Fiat e-Ducato panel van comes in three lengths, wheelbases and heights, and includes the latest tech and safety features like heated door mirrors and autonomous emergency braking. Buyers can choose from a 47 kWh battery with a 113 mile range or 79 kWh battery with a range of 230 miles. The 11 kW onboard charger that comes with the 79 kWh e-Ducato can fully recharge the battery in four hours. Both battery sizes support 50kW DC rapid charging which can add 62 miles in less than 30 minutes. The Fiat e-Ducato is also known for its low fuel consumption, cargo capacity and smooth performance.
The Nissan e-NV200 is the largest electric van available with 4.2m3 cargo space and the option of two-, five-, and seven-seat configurations. A payload of up to 705kg and a towing capacity of 410 kg makes the e-NV200 a powerful option. It’s 40kWh battery allows for a range of 124 and 187 miles on a single charge. The e-NV200 is also rapid charge compatible with a 20-80% charge taking 40-60 minutes.
The Mercedes e-Sprinter is known for its versatile compatibility with charging stations and wall boxes due to its Combined Charging System (CCS). It can charge with 7.4 kW AC as well as 20 kW DC. The 80 kW DC charging power option allows its 35 kWh to charge 10-80% in only 20 minutes at a rapid charging station. However, the e-Sprinter has a very short range of only 83 miles.
The e-Sprinter is also known for its safety features and design with the battery, high voltage lines and the drivetrain all embedded in frames. High voltage lines are carefully insulated while a protective plate shields the battery from damage. The e-Sprinter also includes crash sensors that convert the vehicle voltage-free immediately if a serious accident is detected.
Sales of the pure-electric Ford E-Transit are set to start in early 2022, entering a market that will be full of similarly large and capable electric vans. Power comes from a 265bhp electric motor and 67kWh battery, with a range of up to 217 miles. Ford will offer the E-Transit in panel-van, double-cab-in-van and chassis-cab versions as part of a line-up of 25 possible configurations that includes different wheel-base lengths and body heights.
With an impressive combined WLTP range of 217-221 miles, plenty of room for up to 8 passengers plus baggage, free integrated vehicle monitoring software and the ability to rapid charge up to 80% in just 40 minutes, the eVito Tourer van keeps your passengers and your business moving in style.
General Motors has formed a new standalone business, called BrightDrop. BrightDrop will offer “a portfolio of integrated zero-emissions products,” with all products from the company having integrated connectivity and controllability via the same software set. The EV600 electric cargo van—an ”electric light commercial vehicle”—will be on roads by the end of the year, with first deliveries going to FedEx.
The EV600 offers a range of 250 miles and 120 kW DC rapid charging, capable of adding up to 170 miles per hour. The EV600 comes with 600 ft3 of cargo space and a gross weight rating of less than 10,000 pounds.
Tech and safety features include a 13.4-inch “infotainment” system, cargo space security system with motion sensors, automatic emergency braking, HD rear vision camera and lane-keep and blind-zone-steering assist systems.
Recommendations for Electric Vans
Here are several recommendations based on what might be your key requirements and decision criteria:
- Best large electric van: Nissan e-NV200
- Best small electric van: Citroen e-Dispatch
- Best value for the best price electric van: Peugeot e-Partner
- Highest range: GM EV600
- Best quality ratings and most popular: Mercedes eSprinter
Migrating To Electric Vans is Good For Business and the Environment
More businesses nowadays are switching to electric vehicles to become more sustainable, tap into long-term savings and keep up with the world’s changing trends. Switching to electric is one powerful way to reflect your commitment to confronting climate change and lowering your fossil fuel dependency. Your green choices, big and small, attract and gain the trust of customers, partners and employees who care about the planet’s future and what companies are doing to help. The benefits of migrating to electric vans can be summarized as follows:
- Doing your part to address climate change and lower your carbon footprint
- Supporting the growing market for electric vehicles and inspire other businesses to make sustainable choices
- Staying relevant by keeping up with the world’s trends towards sustainability
- Attracting new customers, partners and employees that are passionate about a cleaner and greener world
- Cutting long-term fuel and energy costs
- Bringing in other sources of revenue
About the Author
Maria Gorskikh
GBB Green Ambassador
Maria Gorskikh is a content writer for Green Business Bureau who is passionate about business and sustainability. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, concentrating in Finance and Business Sustainability. Maria also has a special interest in environmental studies and social movements. Outside of academia and her career pursuits, Maria enjoys playing chess, painting, traveling in Europe.
