The Mercedes-Benz Electric Van Guide

Everything you need to know about electric vans for your business

Switching to electric is a big decision for any business, so our priority is to help you understand the full picture – not only our vans’ capabilities but also the wider infrastructure, the total cost of ownership and the suitability of electric vans for your business right now.

The below information is just a guide, if you are thinking about electric vans for your business and would like more information, our team of experts are more than happy to go through things in detail with you over the phone. Request a call back using the button below and a member of the team will contact you as soon as possible.

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Electric vans - the essentials

  • What are the advantages of electric vans?
  • Factors you need to be aware of
  • What sorts of businesses are electric vans most suitable for?
  • Are electric vans suitable for use as shuttle services and mini-buses?

  • Electric Van Advantages

    When it comes to your business, you need to know that you’re making the right choices for efficiency, costs and customer satisfaction. Here’s how going electric can help.

    - Eco-friendly

    Electric vehicles are better for the environment, because they don’t produce any CO2 or NOx emissions.

    - Cheaper to run

    Electricity costs less than diesel fuels, making electric vans far cheaper to run per mile.

    - Fewer maintenance costs

    Electric vans have fewer moving parts than traditional vehicles, and they’re also not as hard on their brakes, making them cheaper and easier to maintain.

    - Smooth to drive

    With automatic transmission and quiet engines, electric vans offer a different kind of driving experience with instant acceleration and no gearshifts, making it feel more effortless.

    - No compromise on load or capacity

    The batteries of electric vans are generally stored in the underbody of the vehicle, so there’s nothing taking up space inside.

    - Grants and exemptions

    The government is helping subsidise the transition to electric with financial benefits that help towards both the purchase price and operating costs including road tax and congestion charges.

  • Factors to be aware of

    In 2020, going electric won’t be the right option for everyone. The first generation of electric vans have been designed to operate in urban or suburban areas, where there’s a need to cut emissions and congestion. They are most suited to businesses that have fairly predictable routes or operate within a defined area.

    - Battery range

    Although battery ranges are always improving, electric vans cannot yet travel as far on a single charge as conventional vehicles can on a full tank of fuel. For now, this means that they’re not the best choice for long distance use.

    - Charging

    Battery charging times depend on whether the vehicle accepts the faster DC mode of charging – giving an 80% charge in around 40 minutes using rapid public charge points. For vans that operate on AC charging, a typical charge takes between 4-8 hours, which is less of a problem for those who can plan an overnight charge at the depot or home. Charging stations are not yet as widespread as fuel stations. But things are changing quickly; the amount of charging points are increasing, and more vehicles are being designed to accept DC chargers. Experts at our Dealerships can advise you on your charging infrastructure and can introduce you to partners who can develop and install charging solutions for your home and business.

    - Extra weight

    Although most electric vans store their batteries in the underbody to allow for maximum loading space, electric technology is still heavy, so the government now allows electric van drivers with standard car licenses to carry payloads up to 4.5 tonnes (as opposed to 3.5 tonnes for diesel or petrol). Effectively this has balanced out the weight issue between electric and non-electric vans.

    - Battery life

    As the technology is new, you may have concerns about how much charge the batteries will hold after a few years. This is why all Mercedes-Benz electric vans come with an 8-year or 100,000 mile battery warranty, guaranteeing at least 70% capacity after 8 years.

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  • Suitability

    Currently, most electric vans are ideal for businesses who operate in cities, typically transport light loads or make ‘last mile’ deliveries, and have the ability to charge their vans overnight. However, many larger fleet operators and customers such as Travelodge and FootAsylum are now introducing electric vans as a percentage of their fleet, to cover local routes and transfer employees from place to place. As infrastructures improve and technology develops, it is likely that almost every business will have electric vans making up some part of their fleet. 

     

  • Shuttle services and mini-buses

    Electric vans hold great promise for mini-bus services like airport transports and urban shuttles. The Mercedes-Benz  eVito Tourer will be the ideal choice with seating capacity for up to 8+1 people and an impressive 245 mile range.

     

Electric van charging and infrastructure

  • Can I charge more than one van at a time?
  • How long does it take to charge an electric van?
  • What is the difference between AC and DC charging?
  • Can I charge an electric van using a public charging point?

  • Charging multiple vehicles

    The answer is yes but you will need to install multiple charging points. The latest technology can make the charging process simpler, for example you can monitor the battery charge status, range and completion of charging of each one of your electric vehicles on your mobile or tablet using the Remote eCharging function of Mercedes PRO connect, which comes free for 2 years when you purchase a Mercedes-Benz electric van.

  • Charging time

    On a dedicated electric charge point, which you can have installed at work or home through a specialist provider, it will take about 4 hours. And at a public charge point, using a DC rapid charger, you can get an 80% charge in 30-40 minutes. At home, on a normal 3-pin plug, it will take around 8 hours to fully charge your electric van.

  • AC and DC Charging

    Electric batteries can be charged with two kinds of power – alternating current (AC), and direct current (DC).  AC power comes from the national grid and is the most common charging method for electric vehicles of all sizes. However, an AC charge needs to be converted into DC charge before the battery can store the power, so it needs to go through a converter inside the vehicle first. DC chargers, on the other hand, are more powerful and provide a much faster, more constant charge.

  • Public Charging

    Public charging points are suitable for electric vans and are a useful way of topping up when you’re out on the move. Our electric vans come with free Mercedes PRO connect software that enables you to locate the most convenient charging stations on your route, optimising your battery range.

Electric vs diesel – costs and savings

  • Are electric vans more expensive?
  • What tax benefits are there for businesses with electric vehicles?
  • What sort of finance packages are there for electric vehicles?
  • What is the long term value of an electric van?

  • Lifetime Costs

    Although electric vans are more expensive to buy than conventional vans, the total lifetime cost is lower, for several reasons.

    - Electric vans are cheaper to run

    It’s cheaper to charge a vehicle with electricity than it is to fill it with fuel.

    - Electric vans are cheaper to maintain

    As well as being less prone to general wear and tear, electric vans have fewer working parts than conventional vehicles – so there’s less to maintain overall.

    - Government grants lower the cost further

    The government Plug-in van grant provides a discount of up to 20% of the cost of your new electric van up to £8,000 – and you also won’t pay for road tax. Business owners can reclaim 75% of the cost of installing up to 20 charging points (up to a maximum of £500 per socket) through the Government’s Workplace Charging Scheme.

    - You won’t pay congestion charges

    As the government looks to reduce the UK’s carbon footprint, they’re endorsing and encouraging the use of electric vehicles, making electric vans exempt from congestion charges across the country. For the London congestion charge, this currently means a saving of £11.50 per day, per vehicle for fully electric vans.

  • Tax Benefits

    As the government seeks to increase the number of electric vehicles on the roads, it’s putting in place a number of incentives for businesses, including reduced tax bills for drivers, no company car tax for electric vehicles, exemption from Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) and increased rates for capital allowance claims.

     

  • Finance

    Every decision you make for your business needs to make sense financially – and when you’re just getting started with electric, making big purchases can feel risky. At Mercedes-Benz Vans we offer a range of finance options for electric vans. Having the flexibility to lease an electric vehicle is ideal for businesses who are just starting to expand into electric, as it allows customers to trial electric vehicles without being tied into a long term commitment.

     

  • Long Term Value

    All Mercedes-Benz electric vans include an 8-year battery warranty, ensuring that the long-term residual value of the vehicle is protected. Additionally, the entire range shares the same build quality and commitment to precision as conventional models – including guarantees such as the 3-year unlimited vehicle warranty.

     

eReady Finance

If you decide that you want to give electric a go, eReady Finance from Mercedes-Benz has a range of options specially created for electric vans. We can provide flexible leases that can help you make sure it is right for you by offering short term agreements. 

For more information, speak to a member of the team today. 

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