Diesel bills are hurting everyone hard at the moment, but VW reckons van drivers charging at home or at a depot could cut their annual energy costs by as much as 87% by switching from diesel to electric.
That's according to research commissioned by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles with a study of 1,000 UK van drivers finding that 58% cited the difference between fuel prices and electric charging costs as a primary reason for considering an EV.
Volkswagen says 66% of respondents believe electric vans are suitable for their business, while 61% plan to buy one within the next 12 months.
Volkswagen based its running-cost comparison on an average annual mileage of 13,190 miles. Using a diesel van returning 39.2mpg and diesel at £1.83 per litre, it calculated an annual fuel bill of around £2,770.
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Charging an electric van on a 7p/kWh off-peak home or depot tariff was calculated at 2.8p per mile, producing an annual energy bill of £369.24. On those assumptions, the saving is just over £2,400 per year.
The figures are heavily dependent on where and when an electric van is charged, with public rapid charging considerably more expensive than the off-peak rate used in Volkswagen’s calculation.
John Ricardo-Neto, head of product planning at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said rising fuel costs were making electric vans increasingly attractive to operators and argued that lower servicing costs could add to the savings.
John Ricardo-Neto, Head of Product Planning at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, commented: “We know drivers are really feeling the pinch as the cost of living continues to rise, and this is all too apparent when van drivers fill up at the pumps. Fuel costs have gone up by 30% over the last year and this is making electric vans an even more attractive choice.
“This research highlights that the savings that could be made on fuel are significant, impacting businesses’ bottom line; and this alongside lower servicing costs, a near silent powertrain and smoother driving experience.”
Volkswagen’s electric commercial vehicle range currently includes the ID Buzz Cargo and e-Transporter. The 79kWh ID. Buzz Cargo offers up to 277 miles of WLTP range, while the e-Transporter is quoted at up to 225 miles depending on specification.
