Diesel preferred by van fleet operators despite electric vehicle range worries

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【Summary】Van fleet operators are hesitant to switch from diesel to electric vehicles (EVs) due to concerns about the range of larger EV vans and their ability to handle heavy loads. Although electric vans are making progress, with a Fiat E-Scudo recently setting a world record for distance traveled on a single charge, fleet operators are waiting for models with greater ranges and better load capacity.

FutureCar Staff Aug 29, 2023 12:00 AM PT

Diesel preferred by van fleet operators despite electric vehicle range worries

On 29 July, a Fiat E-Scudo made headlines by setting the Guinness World Record for the greatest distance traveled by an electric van in a single charge, covering an impressive 311.18 miles.

This achievement highlights the progress being made in the development of plug-in light commercial vehicles (LCVs). However, despite this milestone, many fleets that rely on larger vans are still hesitant to make the switch from diesel to electric.

One of the main concerns for businesses is the limited range of bigger electric vans, which is particularly affected by the payload they carry. As a result, many companies have postponed their plans to electrify their fleets until models with greater ranges and better capabilities to handle heavy loads become available.

Ben Edwards, a consultant at Arval, the UK's third-biggest vehicle leasing company, acknowledges the challenges faced by electric vans, especially the larger ones. He states, "There's always been a question of whether the larger electric vans are actually capable of doing the job."

This skepticism arises from the fact that the advertised range of electric vehicles can be significantly reduced when the vehicle is fully loaded with passengers and cargo. Edwards compares this to the experience of driving a car with five people and a full trunk, where the actual range falls short of the advertised mileage.