Do You Want to Take Your Business Electric?
The electric car market is growing exponentially, and the van sector is quickly catching up. If you want to take your business electric, now is a great time to look for a new van lease with Express Vehicle Contracts.
Below are some of the most exciting additions to the fully-electric van market. We've listed them in alphabetical order for fairness. Remember, all quoted figures are from the manufacturers' websites. While great for comparison, actual performance depends on everything from the payload to driving conditions.
Arrival
Arrival is taking the US market by storm and is planning to continue its electric revolution in the UK. In the US, firms like UPS are already excited to team up and change over their delivery vans to the all-electric, futuristic-looking Arrival van.
While the van may look odd, it is a serious contender on the electric market. Arrival offers a range of body sizes, including three roof heights and four lengths. The 4250kg gross vehicle mass allows for payloads up to 1975kg.
Four battery packs provide energy to the 163hp/120kW electric motor, which drives the front wheels. The smallest 67kWh version provides 112 miles on a single charge, while the larger 139kWh offers a more impressive 211 miles.
Citroen
As part of the Stellantis group, Citroen's offerings closely mirror Fiat, Peugeot, Toyota, and Vauxhall. We'll focus on the Citroen offerings here and discuss any significant differences as we get to the other brands.
E-Berlingo: The not-so-small Berlingo is a favourite of many small businesses because of its economic engine, reliability and excellent payload ability. It comes as little surprise then that it now has an electric version.
Citroen has risen to the challenge of keeping the core values of the Berlingo alive in the e-Berlingo and making it easier for its customers to transition to electric. The e-Berlingo has an 800kg payload and is capable of up to 172 miles on a single charge. It is also capable of a top speed of 84mph thanks to its 136PS electric motor. A rapid DC charger will give you an 80% in 30 minutes.
E-Dispatch: The Dispatch is Citroen's medium van sector offering. Its impressive specs have transferred successfully to the e-Dispatch. As with the e-Berlingo, payload and range are its key selling points.
Depending on the model, the e-Dispatch can manage payloads of 1226kgs.
The larger two-battery pack version can manage 196 miles on a single charge, enough to keep most drivers going all day. The 136ps motor means you won't be hanging around. The e-Dispatch comes in three lengths with a load space of up to 6.1 cubic metres.
E-Relay: The Relay is known for being a no-frills, no-nonsense van. It is the larger of the Citroen vans and possibly the least impressive in its electric form. However, it maintains its good payload and no-nonsense approach.
Space, range, and payload all depend on which version of the e-Relay you opt for. There are three different lengths, giving you more choice than some larger electric vans for lease.
DFSK
Despite several unsuccessful attempts to bring DFSK to the UK, Innovation Automotive is trying again. The difference is they are focusing on the all-electric DFSK van. The EC35 is larger and more practical than its micro-van predecessors. It can manage a 1015kg payload in its 4.8 cubic metre load cube. It also provides excellent access with a rear tailgate and two side-load doors.
The EC35 charges in just 90 minutes, although it isn't clear what charge rate you need for this phenomenal achievement. The company state it has a 166-mile range and plenty of features, including smartphone integration, air conditioning, reverse camera, and parking sensors.
Fiat
While part of the Stellantis umbrella, Fiat has always done things a little differently, including adapting its van models to electric. The Doblo gets a new model that aligns with the Berlingo. However, the e-Doblo will retain some Fiat-specific features, including its characteristic front end.
Fiat is reintroducing the Scudo name, with the e-Scudo being almost identical to the e-Berlingo, except for a few Fiat aspects. In size, however, it is the Fiat version of the Dispatch.
The e-Ducato has an entirely different powertrain from its Stellantis compatriots and was developed in-house at Fiat.
Two battery pack options offer either 47kWh or 79kWh. Combined with the 122hp motor, you get either 91 or 148 miles. The all-important range is optimised by restricting the van's top speed to 62mph.
Ford Pro
Ford may be a latecomer to the all-electric van party, but the market leader looks to have done it correctly. The e-Transit took the market by storm with its incredibly powerful 269hp motor and 196-mile range. The superb onboard technology and features, plus payloads of up to 1758kgs, mean that there is little else in its class.
Ford Pro plans to release five all-electric vans by 2024. The second is the e-Custom, which is due out in 2023. The future-facing van is everything you would expect from Ford Pro. The website's details include a range of 224 miles, a choice of power outputs, class-leading tech and 2-tonne towing capability.
The Courier light van is also getting an electric version, as is the Tourneo. Rumours of a new van are also spreading. If Ford is your go-to van lease, watch their website for updates on new electric offerings.
Nissan
Nissan's electric offering has been a little disappointing. The e-NV200 was a success but was discontinued last year. However, things changed with the launch of the Townstar EV. The Townstar comes in four variations, each with a 90kW motor and a payload of up to 800kg.
The fully electric Townstar features battery thermal cooling and intelligent energy management optimised powertrain. Its efficient and aerodynamic design means it can achieve a range of up to 183 miles or 269 miles in city cycle.
Maxus
Maxus is the UK brand name for the Chinese company SAIC. Maxus has been instrumental in encouraging UK consumer acceptance of fully-electric vans. The eDeliver 3 is available in two body lengths with a maximum 6.3 cubic metres of load volume and 945kg payload. Drivers can opt for either 35kWh or 50kWh battery packs with the 90kw electric motor, offering a respective 99 or 151-mile maximum range.
The eDeliver 9 offers a powerful 204hp electric motor and three battery options, the largest of which provides a 219-mile range. The payload is less impressive at 860kg, but the in-cab features more than make up for it.
Mercedes-Benz
The company's initial eVito offering was pretty uninspiring. However, Mercedes listened to customer feedback, and the new and improved eVito includes a bigger battery pack and 114hp motor. The result is a much improved 162 maximum range on a single charge. The
eVito doesn't have the biggest payload at 882kgs, but it balances this with plenty of in-cab features, including smartphone integration, cruise control, and air conditioning as standard.
Mercedes-Benz received similar complaints about the eSprinter's range and power but is yet to address the issues. The official range on the website is between 82 and 95 miles. It is more competitive in the load area, but that may not balance out the range issues in today's competitive market.
Morris
If you are looking for a van that combines the latest technology with a heavy dose of nostalgia, look no further than the new Morris JE. China Ventures, a Warwickshire-based firm, are capitalising on our growing love of retro by basing its upcoming electric van on the original Morris J type.
The 1950s style bodywork is carbon fibre, lowering the van's weight, meaning it can take a 1000kg payload. The 5.5 cubic metre load space is accessible by twin rear doors and a side loading door and easily fits two standard euro pallets.
Production is due to start in late 2023. There is limited information about the powertrain. However, the website states they hope to achieve a 250-mile range on a single charge and rapid charge up to 80% in 30 minutes.
Peugeot
The Peugeot electric vans are in the same vein as those offered by Citroen. There are minor differences in the trim levels and equipment provided, but the fundamentals are the same. The e-Partner mirrors the e-Berlingo, the e-Expert reflects the e-Dispatch, and there are very few differences between the e-Boxer and the e-Relay.
Renault
Renault was an early pioneer of electric vans in the UK. It launched the Kangoo ZE in 2011 before the market was ready to accept electric lease vans.
The small Zoe E-Tech van is based on Renault's Zoe hatchback. It is ideal for moving light loads over long distances with its 245-mile range.
The new Renault Kangoo has been recognised as 2022's International Van of the Year. With its new bodywork, impressive 1000kg payload and 4.2 cubic metre load, it is easy to see why. The new Kangoo also comes with a host of in-cab features and a 186-mile range.
Then there is the Master E-Tech, which is available in three lengths, three heights and two weights. The 57kWh motor is accompanied by a 52kWh battery pack, enabling a 124-mile range. It also has a 1425kg payload capacity while still having a GVM of 3500kg.
Toyota
Toyota's close working relationship with Stellantis means that its electric vans resemble Citroen's. The Proace City Electric almost mirrors the e-Berlingo, while the Proace Electric is clearly based on Peugeot's e-Expert.
Vauxhall
Vauxhall is also part of the Stellantis umbrella and shares its electric leasing vans with Citroen, Peugeot, Toyota and pretty much all Fiat offerings. However, the Vivaro-e remains one of the UK's top-selling and most leased electric vans.
Volkswagen
The unique ID. Buzz Cargo hints back to the company's 60s microbus heritage. Volkswagen has gone as green as possible with the van, including recycled materials to make it carbon neutral.
Its wheelbase is similar to the Transporter's, and there is currently only one configuration. Unlike most electric vans, its 204hp electric motor is rear-mounted. It offers in impressive 258-mile range on a single charge.
If you want to take your company electric or are a sole trader trying to reduce your running costs, an all-electric van lease is the way forward. There are so many to choose from you'd be hard-pushed not to find the perfect electric vehicle for your needs. Couple this with a personalised lease deal from Express Vehicle Contracts, and you'll be on the road, saving money and the planet in no time.
