What Is Electric Van Leasing?
As the world takes stock of climate change and the effects exhaust pollutants have on the planet, the choice to drive an electric for work purposes is now greater than ever, with all the top manufacturers offering a solely electric or hybrid version.
Leasing an electric van works in exactly the same way as leasing petrol or diesel vans. You choose the van, pay an initial rental and pay the monthly amount until your lease ends.
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Leasing An Electric Van?
It's not all sunshine and rainbows going fully electric, we sat down and went through what we think the true pros and cons are in running an electric van for you and your business.
Pros Of Electric Van Leasing
Lower running costs
Currently, charging an electric vehicle is cheaper than topping up the tank with petrol or diesel.
Cheaper Garage Bills
Less moving parts compared to a petrol or diesel van makes maintenance a lot cheaper. There’s no need to worry about having the clutch replaced or when the timing belt is due for replacement, even down to braking systems such as disc and pads will last longer when drivers employ regenerative braking. Bizarrely, the technology to make an electric van work and drive are far less complex compared to an internal combustion-engined vehicle.
Environmentally friendly
The green credentials for electric vehicles is a lot broader than just zero tailpipe emissions, there is no waste oil or oil filters to dispose of or other petrochemical solutions or oils, brake dust is significantly reduced too.
Incentives
Grants are in place to help with the cost of a new van depending on the size and cost. Driving in urban and city centres areas are generally free for electric vehicles, and little restrictions to where they can drive (other than standard road markings and rules).
Easier to drive
Generally, electric vehicles, cars or vans, are automatic. Put the vehicle in drive and just concentrate on the road ahead. Vehicles with regenerative breaking sometimes have the option to drive in one pedal mode, where lifting off the accelerator slows the vehicle down - recapturing energy and topping up the batteries. The brake pedal doesn't need pressing to come to a complete stop and the brake lights still illuminate to signal you're stopping to the motorist behind.
Fun
Well let's not beat around the bush, even the sportest of vans are still van-like and even with all the refinements under the sun, diesel engines still sound like tractors. Electric vans, however, are fun, nippy and when the road allows, fast.
Convenient
Rather than starting the day off having to think about refuelling the van, an electric van can be charged when you're sleeping at home or it's parked up overnight, starting the day with a full charge, saving time.
Future Proof
The world of electric and clean motoring is fast-paced and so is dealing with the climate change issue. An electric van puts you on a sure footing, and with zero tailpipe emissions, you are doing the best you possibly can. And with more and more urban zones becoming low emission zones, you'll still be able to function with your van in these areas.
Cons Of Electric Van Leasing
Anxiety over range.
It's the great ‘what-if’ of electric motoring. How long will the charge last and how far can I get? With running low on fuel, it's quickly rectified in a matter of minutes by quickly popping into the services, and despite charging times reducing as the technology improves, even the fastest of chargers are currently not as quick as topping up with fuel.
Charging Infrastructure
The UK has around 26,000 public charging locations, but the ability to charge at the curbside, and for those with no off-street parking, is limited.
Initial outlay
It's a new technology and with everything, it starts out expensive and slowly works to an affordable level. With leasing, some of the initial outlay is mitigated but the original higher cost does contribute to higher monthly payments compared to a petrol or diesel van.
Reduced payload
Electric motors are torquey and can move a serious amount of weight around, the batteries which power them are also heavy. Payload compared to a petrol and diesel van may be less due to the extra weight from the battery on comparative models.
How green is green.
The electricity to charge the vehicle has to come from somewhere, and we as a country are still using none renewable sources of energy to power our 'green' vehicles. There is some talk about how green the mining of the raw materials for batteries really is, and how much of a balance is created from the reduction in tailpipe emissions.
Why Lease A Van With Leasing Options?
We have industry-leading deals with many manufacturers that cannot be beaten. In fact, we're so confident – we even offer a price match promise!
As accredited van leasing brokers in the UK, we work with leading car manufacturers and several finance companies, including ALD Automotive, ARVAL UK, Alphabet, Hitachi, Lex Autolease, LeasePlan and Santander amongst others, to get you the best deal on your lease. We are also a proud member of the British Vehicle Leasing and Rental Association (BVRLA).
If you have any questions about van leasing, whether that be about the benefits of leasing over buying or leasing with insurance, we've compiled a comprehensive range of guides to answer anything and everything surrounding van leasing.
If there are any questions left unanswered, please don't hesitate to get in touch with one of our team of friendly, experienced and professional van leasing experts and they'll be happy to help.
FAQ's
Are Electric Vans Any Good?
Well, they're certainly not bad, but it all depends on your perception of 'good'. Environmentally in inner cities and urban zones, they're excellent. For longer multidrop deliveries the range of the batteries and charging times could sway your opinion, but just remember that technology is advancing at a fast rate.
Are Electric Vans Cheaper To Run?
With electric, it is cheaper to charge up a battery than it is to fill a tank with petrol or diesel at the moment, and there is no congestion or clean air zone charges applicable to electric vehicles, so we would say, Yes.
How Long Do Electric Vans Last?
They're built to the same standards as combustion-engined vehicles, with the correct servicing and maintenance they'll last as long if not longer, the electric motor components are very simple and robust compared to complex systems on Petrol / Diesel engines to reduce tailpipe emissions.
Are There Any Full Electric Vans?
There is a wide range of fully electric vans, in a number of different body styles and sizes available, from the small Renault Kangoo capable of zipping around the cities streets to larger vans for the tradesman type roles, such as the Toyota Hiace.
How Much Will An Electric Van Cost?
Electric vans can be leased for as little as £200+Vat a month, we have a wide range of vans available with sizes and ranges to suit all needs.
