Diesel preferred by van fleet operators despite worries about EV range.

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【Summary】Van fleet operators are hesitant to switch from diesel to electric vehicles (EVs) due to concerns about the limited range of larger EV vans and their ability to handle heavy loads. While smaller EV vans have shown promise, businesses are waiting for models with greater ranges and better payload capabilities before fully committing to electrification. The recent Guinness World Record for the longest distance traveled by an electric van in a single charge, 311.

FutureCar Staff Aug 20, 2023 6:48 AM PT

Diesel preferred by van fleet operators despite worries about EV range.

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

This achievement is a clear indication that plug-in light commercial vehicles (LCVs) are making significant progress in the right direction. However, despite this milestone, many fleet operators who rely on large vans are still hesitant to transition from diesel to electric. The range of bigger electric vans is particularly affected by the payload they carry, and as a result, many businesses have decided to delay their electrification plans. They are waiting for models with greater ranges and better capabilities to handle heavy loads.

Ben Edwards, a consultant at Arval, the UK's third-biggest vehicle leasing company, shared his perspective on the challenges faced by electric vans. He explained, "Electric vans have always been a bit of a struggle because there's a question of whether the larger ones are actually capable of doing the job."

He further elaborated, "We already know that when a car claims a range of 280 miles, that range can significantly decrease when you have five people in the car and the trunk is full. The same principle applies to electric vans."