Low cost of EV charging can cut van running costs by £11.5k a year per vehicle

Switching to an electric van can save up to £11,500 a year per vehicle due to the savings made from charging, according to a new report commissioned by Ford Pro.

The difference in running costst primarily comes from the lower cost of smart charging compared with refuelling petrol and diesel vehicles, and reduced maintenance costs.

Ford Pro commissioned the Economics of Commercial Van Usage Across Europe 2024, from the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) based on a survey of 1,000 businesses in Europe.

It has run the figures in order to boost confidence within the fleet market to continue the push for the switch from diesel to electric vehicles.

The report highlights that the technological shift towards electrification could potentially be beneficial for small- and medium-businesses in terms of net costs.

This is down to the lower costs from refuelling and maintenance that can outweigh the cost of factors such as infrastructure installation.

While the adoption of battery electric vehicles as company cars is racing ahead, the take-up of electric vans has been left trailing in their wake.

Fleet News' in-depth feature into the challenges facing electric van adoption in the UK goes into the key issues that need to be tackled around charging and productivity.

Adoption of electric vans is a critical next step

Hans Schep, general manager, Ford Pro, Europe, said: "The European economy is built on small businesses, and their adoption of electric vans is a critical next step to electrifying Europe’s roads.

"Some small businesses have already made a successful start to that journey and Ford Pro is ensuring that we have the electric vans and services to support them."

Ford Pro has created its E-Switch Assist tool to help customers decide based on vehicle workload which vehicles in their current fleet are most suitable to be replaced with an electric model.

Since E-Switch Assist launched, Ford Pro customers in Europe have run 50,000 of their existing vehicles through the software to assess the best opportunities to electrify their fleets.

Electric vans are also mechanically simpler than diesel vehicles, which reduces the need for maintenance.

Ford Pro estimates that service maintenance and repair cost is 40% lower for E-Transit than for equivalent diesel-powered models. 

Electric van case study: France Alliance 56

Delivery company France Alliance 56 has worked with Ford Pro to switch its diesel van fleet to electric in the Morbihan region of France.

Switching to electric vans has cut energy costs by over 80%, with expenses dropping to just €3 (£2.50) per 100 km (62 miles) compared to up to £17 for diesel-powered vans.

“Once drivers come back, it’s easy for them to recharge the vans. Within 10 seconds they’re out of the cab, at the charge point and plugging the van in.

It couldn’t be simpler,” said Willy Le Gouellec, manager, France Alliance 56.

“The software is easy to use for me, too – I can see each vehicle and how much range it has left. We’re seeing a major advantage.”