Electric vans are here, but diesel is still king. What are the upsides & downsides for both?
Electric vans are likely to be the future, but is it time to indulge now? The answer is ‘yes’ for some clients, but others will need more time, perhaps a few more years. The main driver towards considering an electric van is local/national govt. carrots and sticks – a bit less car tax; a few more low-emissions zones that cost a packet,and of course Environment, Social, Governance (ESG) diktats for larger companies. However, the upsides for electric vans come with downsides, but ultimately, it’s clearly the way forward along the long winding yellow brick road. Here are some positives about why a customer may prefer an electric van:
1. Lower Operating Costs: Electric vans generally have lower operating costs compared to their combustion engine counterparts. Electricity is usually cheaper than gasoline or diesel fuel, and electric vehicles have fewer moving parts, reducing maintenance costs.
2. Environmental Benefits: Electric vans produce zero tailpipe emissions during operation, reducing air pollution and contributing to improved local air quality. This is particularly important inurban areas where air pollution is a significant concern.
3. Reduced Dependence on Fossil Fuels: By choosing an electric van, you contribute to reducing dependence on fossil fuels and lowering greenhouse gas emissions, thus helping combat climate change.
4. Potential Incentives: Depending onwhere you live, there may be incentives or subsidies available for purchasing electric vehicles, such as tax credits, rebates, or access to preferential parking or driving lanes.
5. Expensive Low-Emission Zones: These are popping up everywhere is towns and cities around the world. Whatever their financial cost today, rest assured, they will get more expensive for diesel drivers especially.
6. Long-Term Savings: While the upfront cost of an electric vehicle may be higher, over the vehicle's lifetime, savings from lower fuel and maintenance costs can offset the initial investment, potentially resulting in long-term savings.
7. Quiet Operation: Electric vans operate more quietly than combustion engine vans, which can be beneficial for urban delivery routes or nighttime operations, reducing noise pollution.
8. Future Proofing: As governments worldwide implement stricter emissions regulations and incentivize the transition to electric vehicles, owning an electric van can future-proof your business against potential regulatory changes and restrictions on combustion engine vehicles.
Overall, choosing a used electric van can align with both economic and environmental goals, offering long-term benefits for businesses and society as a whole.
As for used electric vans, there aren’t too many around. Once they do start coming through to the used market, then a good place to look would be the Hudson Kapel online LCV live auctions, held weekly on Thursdays at 10 am. They sell used vans from the UK’s and Europe’s van vendors. Hudson Kapel inspect,validate, grade (using NAMA) all vans and offer warranties to minimise any risks. They also have very high resolution cameras in their BrightPix studio that show vehicles from every angle in a crystal clear presentation. Nothing can be hidden, so professional trade buyers know that WYSIWYG…What you see is what you get!
Also, Hudson Kapel’s customer service team are all trade experts and are available the way you like to chat: Either by phone, e-mail, feedback form, in person or by WhatsApp. And dealing with the team is always a pleasure.Hudson Kapel delivers customer service with a smile.
With weekly auctions, and hundreds of used vans with detail available at the Hudson Kapel live auction website up to 7 days before the live auction, professional trade buyers have time to decide what they are keen to bid for and buy. Once a deal is struck, the buyers new vehicle can be delivered to them within 48 hours. It’s quick simple, clear, honest. So, if you are a trade buyer, looking for good used vans through an auctioneer you can trust,then hop along to the Hudson Kapel auction website – www.hkr.co.uk. Register quickly and easily and take a look at all the vans you can buy in the next weekly auction.