Diesel remains preferred by van fleet operators due to EV range worries.

author: FutureCar Staff    

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

However, despite this achievement, many fleet operators who rely on larger vans are still hesitant to make the switch from diesel to electric. The range of bigger electric vans is highly dependent on payload capacity, and businesses have been cautious in their electrification plans until models with extended ranges and improved load-handling capabilities become more readily available.

According to Ben Edwards, a consultant at Arval, the UK's third-largest vehicle leasing company, electric vans have always posed challenges due to doubts about their suitability for larger tasks. He explains, "There's always been a question of whether the larger ones are actually capable of doing the job."

One of the concerns raised by fleet operators is the impact of passenger and cargo weight on the range of electric vans. As experienced by drivers of electric cars, the advertised range may not be achievable when the vehicle is fully loaded. Edwards highlights the issue, stating, "We already know that when a car says it will do 280 miles – but you've got five people in it and your boot's full – your range is..."

FutureCar Staff