In our recent blog we looked at the reasons to pivot your courier fleet business to electric and the cost savings that you can benefit from, notably on insurance and road tax. Car and fleet trade magazines also recently announced the best electric vans to choose in 2020. From running costs, mileage capacity, space and what it means for your tax and courier or motor trade insurance, we look at the top seven electric vans making the headlines this year.
1. Citroen Berlingo Electric
The Citroen Berlingo Electric features a gearless 49kW motor which averages about 80 miles between charge. Rapid charging takes around 30 minutes to get the battery up to 80 percent but a bit longer if you’re charging at home on a standard 3kW household charger (8-10 hours). It comes in two lengths L1, which can transport lengths of up to 1800mm, and the larger L2, which can carry 2050mm. However, by folding the multi flex seats you can gain another 1200mm of usable length giving the total load of 3.7m3 for the L1 and 4.1m3 in the L2.
2. Vauxhall Vivaro-e
The Vauxhall Vivaro-e boasts a range of between 143-205miles, which is plenty enough for most daily rounds. It features a load space of between 5.3-6.1m3. and can pack a pretty payload too, of between 1002 kg and 1226kg depending upon the model chosen. The battery powers the 136bhp engine and the great news for owner drivers is that the Vivaro-e supports quick charging of up to 100kW – at its peak it will charge from 0-80 percent in 32 minutes so there’s no hanging around.
3. Fiat E-Ducato
The Fiat E-Ducato has a choice of two battery sizes: 47kW/h and 79kW/h (kilowatt hour) and a range of 78 miles for the 47kWh E-Ducato and 148 miles for the 79kWh E-Ducato. The battery can be charged to 80 percent in just half an hour on a 50kW DC rapid charger. The e-Ducato is powered by an electric motor mounted on the front axle, which serves up 121bhp and 280Nm of torque. The e-Ducato can haul a payload of up to 1,950kg, with a top speed of 62mph to maximise the van’s range.
4. Peugeot Partner Electric
The Peugeot Partner Electric has won the ‘Best Small Van’ award from What Van magazine thanks to its huge list of technologies and low running costs. The payload is the best in the sector, going up to 1000kg for certain versions and a volume of up to 4.4m3. It also features Surround Rear Vision which makes driving easier and safer, letting you easily check your driving environment where visibility is limited. It has an official range of 106 miles and a quick half hour battery top-up will take it to around 80 percent.
5. Citroën ë-Dispatch
The Citroën ë-Dispatch boasts an electric range of up to 205 miles and a quick charge to up to 80 percent in just 30 minutes. Two battery sizes provide different levels of range: 143 miles on the XS and M versions equipped with a 50-kWh battery; and 205 miles on M and XL versions equipped with a 75-kWh battery. The battery is under warranty for 8 years or 100,000 miles and has up to 70 percent charging capacity. The charge is 80 percent in 30 minutes for 50kWh battery and 45 minutes for 75kWh battery. The payload is an impressive 1,262kg.
6. Peugeot e-Expert
The Peugeot e-Expert offers a 100 percent electric motor with a maximum power of 100 kW and a maximum torque of 260 Nm. The maximum speed is 80 miles per hour configured to two battery capacity options, the 50 kWh and 75 kWh. Compact and standard models are available, with the 50-kWh battery giving a range of up to 143 miles. And there is no sacrifice on interior space as the new Peugeot e-Expert comes with 6.6m3 interior capacity on the long wheelbase version, a payload of up to 1,226kg, and a height of under 1.90m.
7. Citroen e-Relay
The Citroen e-Relay electric van features the shortest body length and the lowest roof height of all the small vans. The company claims it can travel between 99 and 140 miles per charge using a 44kW battery pack. Depending on the charger, Citroen estimates charge times of 16 hours on a regular plug, eight hours on a single-phase dedicated electric vehicle charger, and seven hours on three-phase charger. It can carry as much as a 1,215kg payload.
It’s nearly Christmas, so go on treat yourself to new start in a new year by going all out electric on your van fleet. As well as the savings you will make, your business will also be helping the environment.