What is the range of an electric van?
If you’re interested in leasing an electric van, one of the first things you’ll likely consider is how far it can go before it needs recharging. This will be particularly important if you’re a business that relies heavily on commercial transport.
Constant innovation and investment from manufacturers means estimated ranges are increasing all the time. However, defining an electric van’s range can be affected by a number of external factors.
Let’s explore these factors in more detail and discuss which electric van has the longest range. All of this should help you better understand electric van range and van leasing.
What Is The Average Range Of An Electric Van?
Electric van ranges will vary between make and model, but the average range is normally between 150-200 miles on a single charge. Again, the distance each electric van can cover will be different and might be affected by real-world conditions.
How Is An Electricity Battery Range Measured For Vans?
The range of an electric van is the number of miles it can travel on a single charge. It is measured by the amount of energy its electric battery can store in kilowatt hours (kWH).
A standard electric van battery capacity can vary between 30kWh to 90kWh, with higher battery capacities providing longer estimated ranges. Consequently, each electric van and battery capacity will provide a different range.
How Is The Range Calculated For Electric Vans?
Manufacturers calculate the range of every electric van using a recently introduced Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP). European regulators have made it a compulsory test to help make fuel efficiency and electric range estimates more accurate.
A WLTP is one of the most intensive and realistic ways to calculate an EV’s range. It forces manufacturers to conduct more rigorous testing and consider real-world factors. This ranges from mimicking regular motorway and urban driving to longer test distances.
What Factors Affect The Range Of An Electric Van?
As mentioned previously, several factors can affect an electric van’s range. Weather and real-world driving conditions can have the biggest impact, as they are often unpredictable and can drain a battery’s capacity faster. Cold weather, in particular, can result in a lower range as electric batteries prefer to operate at a set temperature.
Higher speeds, tire traction, and the age of the battery can also impact the range. If you’re a commercial business that transports goods regularly, consider the type of payload you carry. The higher the payload and weight of the van, the harder the electric battery will have to work.
How To Maximise Your Electric Van Range
Maximising an electric van’s range could help save time and money. There are numerous ways to do this, but it depends on your driving preference and personal leasing or business leasing needs.
The most obvious first choice is to choose the right electric van and battery size that meets your personal or business needs. It may be worth considering long-range models if you cover higher miles more regularly, or look at the cheapest van deals if you’re price-conscious.
Plan ahead before starting a journey or working day, as this helps limit unnecessary driving when trying to find a charger. There are a number of mobile apps that cover the UK’s charger network, which can help you find an available charger in real time.
Maximise your electric vans range by driving smoothly to reduce the energy wasted during sharp acceleration and braking. This will help your van even further if it has a regenerative braking system, which can capture the energy lost during normal braking. It will then send it back to the battery and use it to increase the electric range.
Which Electric Vans Have The Best Range?
VW ID.Buzz Cargo
The VW ID.Buzz Cargo has possibly the longest electric WLTP range on the market, with an official range of up to 256 miles. This modern electric van is bold and retro in its design, helping it stand out from the rest of the VW commercial range. It’s a great choice for businesses who care about brand image and would benefit from a stylish, long-range electric commercial van.
Vauxhall Vivaro
A partnership between major manufacturers has resulted in a range of electric vans that all share the same platform. The Vauxhall Vivaro is one such example and has an official electric van range of up to 205 miles. It might seem like a strange move to work with your competitors, but by sharing designs, van drivers get a range of reasonably priced and capable vans. These also include the Citroen Dispatch, Peugeot Expert, Toyota Proace and Fiat Scudo.
Nissan Townstar
The Nissan Townstar benefits from a 45kWh battery and an official range of 183 Miles. It’s a practical but desirable choice for van drivers, having received an extensive redesign. It benefits from a competitive load capacity and a modern interior cabin that’s packed with the latest technology from Nissan.
Contact Synergy today to find out more about electric van leasing.
