Diesel preferred by van fleet operators due to EV range worries

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【Summary】Van fleet operators are hesitant to switch from diesel to electric vehicles due to concerns about the limited range of larger electric vans and their ability to handle heavy loads. Despite a recent world record for the longest distance traveled by an electric van in a single charge, many businesses are waiting for electric vans with greater ranges and better payload capacities to become available.

FutureCar Staff Aug 15, 2023 4:20 PM PT

Diesel preferred by van fleet operators due to EV range worries

On 29 July, a Fiat E-Scudo made headlines by setting the Guinness World Record for the farthest distance traveled by an electric van on a single charge. The van managed to cover an impressive 311.18 miles, showcasing the potential of plug-in light commercial vehicles (LCVs) in the market.

Despite this achievement, it seems that many fleets running large vans are still hesitant to make the switch from diesel to electric. One of the main concerns is the limited range of bigger electric vans, which is particularly affected by the payload they carry. As a result, numerous businesses have decided to scale back their electrification plans until models with greater ranges and better capability to handle heavy loads become available.

Ben Edwards, a consultant at Arval, the UK's third-biggest vehicle leasing company, explained the reservations surrounding electric vans. He mentioned that there has always been a struggle with the larger models, as there is a question of whether they are truly capable of fulfilling the necessary job requirements. Edwards also highlighted the issue of advertised range versus real-life range, drawing a comparison to cars where the range may be reduced if the vehicle is fully loaded with passengers and luggage.