What is an electric van and how does it work?
As businesses look to become more sustainable, electric vans are quickly becoming the go-to option for companies seeking eco-friendly solutions. What’s more, electric vans offer a string of long-term financial benefits. Read on to learn what a fully-electric van is and how it works.
All-electric vans explained
An electric van is a van powered by electricity. Unlike internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs), electric vans gain energy from mains electricity during charging. Electric vans also gain power from regenerative braking: the vehicle’s electric motor generates electricity by braking or slowing down.
Electric vans do not use fossil fuels and do not have exhaust emissions, such as carbon dioxide or nitrogen oxides. As a result, all-electric vans are more environmentally friendly than their diesel or petrol counterparts.
What types of electric vans are available?
There are three main types of electric vehicles:
- Battery electric vehicles (BEVs): Powered by an electric battery, an internal motor converts stored electrical energy into mechanical energy. BEVs produce zero exhaust emissions.
- Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs): Combines an electric motor with a traditional internal combustion engine (ICE). These vehicles can operate in all-electric mode or switch to the ICE when more power is needed. PHEVs are more flexible than BEVs or traditional vehicles and allow drivers to reduce emissions and fuel consumption.
- Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs): These vehicles use an ICE and an electric motor to improve fuel efficiency. They do not need to be plugged into a charging point and charge through regenerative braking and the ICE, which acts as a generator to recharge the battery. As the electric motor takes over during slow acceleration or low-speed driving, it reduces the vehicle’s fuel consumption.
Key components of fully-electric vans
Let’s look at some of the core components found in fully-electric vans.
Battery pack
Electric van batteries store the energy required to power the electric motor. The batteries comprise lithium-ion-based positive electrode cells and a negative carbon electrode. When the battery is charged, electricity flows through the cells, and the lithium ions move from the negative electrode to the positive electrode. When the electric motor is used, the lithium ions return to the negative electrode, releasing energy. This energy powers the electric motor and turns the vehicle’s wheels.
Electric powertrain
Electric powertrains encompass the engine’s voltage electrical system and consist of:
- Onboard charger: Converts alternating current power from external charging sources to DC power for storage within the battery.
- Electric traction motor: Generates traction and propels the vehicle forward. It consists of a stator (the stationary part of the motor) and rotor (the rotating part of the motor that generates torque).
- Traction inverter: Transforms direct currents (DC) from the battery to alternating currents (AC) to produce alternating voltages required to control speed and acceleration.
- DC to DC converter: Adjusts the battery’s high-voltage DC output to low-voltage DC output to power auxiliary systems, such as lighting or air conditioning.
- Power distribution unit: Ensures all systems within the vehicle receive the correct amount of power. The unit also prevents system overload and enables efficient operations.
Electric motor
Electric traction motors are powered by AC. When DC electrons travel through the inverter into the motor, they generate a magnetic field that causes the motor to turn. AC motors are more efficient and reliable than DC motors, generating higher torque using a more powerful current.
Charging system
A van’s charging system supplies power to the battery. The system includes fuse boxes, an electronic control unit (ECU), wiring, and an alternator. It replenishes the battery’s charge and prevents battery drain. Charging systems can utilise a range of chargers, each with varying average charge times:
- 3kW home socket: 12 hours to full charge
- 6kW home EV charger: 6-8 hours to full charge
- 22kW fast public charger: 3 hours to full charge
- 50kW rapid public charger: 40 minutes to 80%
- 350kW ultra-rapid public charger: 20 minutes to 80%
The latter two chargers quickly fill a van’s battery to 80% before slowing down the charge rate to protect it.
How do electric vans start?
The electric motor is activated within the engine when the van’s key is turned or a button is pressed on the dash. The motor draws energy from the engine’s battery while the drivetrain is powered, allowing the vehicle to move. Unlike ICEs, electric engines do not need to warm up, as the electric motor generates torque immediately.
The engine stops when the driver presses the brake pedal or turns the van off. Electric motors don’t idle, so unlike ICEs, they stop running when stationary. When the driver turns off the engine, the electrical system disconnects from the battery and halts the motor.
What is regenerative braking?
Regenerative braking captures energy during the braking process. In a conventional ICEV, pressing the brake pedal causes the vehicle to lose kinetic energy. However, in an electric vehicle, the motor slows the vehicle by creating resistance, which recaptures the energy. The battery then stores the energy. This process helps recharge the battery and reduces wear on the brake pads, improving the vehicle’s overall efficiency.
Do electric vans have onboard computers?
Electric vans enjoy some of the latest technology and software on the market. Onboard computers play a huge role in ensuring the vehicle’s performance, safety, and efficiency. For example, the battery management system (BMS) plays a key role in regulating the battery’s health, temperature, and longevity. Additionally, over-the-air updates remotely improve vehicle performance, add new features, or fix bugs within the van’s software.
Are electric vans efficient?
Electric engines can be up to 70% more efficient than conventional ICEs, as they convert up to 90% of electrical energy from the battery into movement. Most ICEs are only around 20% to 30% efficient, as they lose most energy through heat dissipation. Even the most efficient diesel engine will only use around 40% of the energy generated for propulsion.
Depending on the battery capacity, some electric vans have a range of up to 200 miles on a single charge, but this can vary wildly. If you regularly take long journeys, review the maximum range of any van before taking out a lease.
Electric van maintenance and longevity
Electric vans have fewer parts than conventional ones, so they require less maintenance. Additionally, modern electric batteries are resilient, with some lasting for up to 20 years before being replaced. Most manufacturers offer guarantees of up to 10 years.
Fully-electric vans still need routine servicing, however. During the checkup, technicians plug the van into a diagnostic machine to run tests, including on individual cells within the engine battery. The technician might also upload additional software updates to the onboard computer.
Is a fully-electric van right for me?
Although electric vans can be initially more expensive than vans with combustion engines, they can offer long-term savings when it comes to fuel and maintenance. If you want to save in the long run, leasing a fully-electric van could be worth considering.
Check the specs and features of any all-electric van before leasing any van. If you’re unsure, the Synergy team is always on hand to help you make the most informed decision. Get in touch or email us at [email protected].
