Diesel remains preferred by van fleet operators despite EV 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 limited range of larger electric vans. While smaller plug-in light commercial vehicles (LCVs) are showing promise, the range of bigger electric vans is affected by payload and businesses are awaiting models with better range and capacity. The skepticism stems from doubts about whether larger EVs can handle the job requirements.

FutureCar Staff Aug 26, 2023 10:08 AM PT

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

On 29 July, a Fiat E-Scudo made headlines by setting a new Guinness World Record. The electric van managed to travel an impressive 311.18 miles on a single charge. This achievement is a positive sign for the future of plug-in light commercial vehicles (LCVs).

However, despite this record-breaking feat, it may not be enough to convince fleets that primarily use large vans to switch from diesel to electric. The range of bigger electric vans is heavily influenced by the payload they carry. Many businesses have decided to delay their electrification plans until models with greater ranges and the ability to handle heavy loads become available.

Ben Edwards, a consultant at Arval, the UK's third-biggest vehicle leasing company, expressed the challenges faced by electric vans. He stated, "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."

Edwards also highlighted the issue of advertised range versus real-world conditions. He mentioned that when a car claims to have a range of 280 miles, factors such as additional passengers and a fully loaded trunk can significantly reduce the actual range.