From diesel to electric: a step-by-step EV fleet transition guide!
The UK’s legally binding target to achieve net zero by 2050 is driving unprecedented change among operators as the automotive industry transitions away from fossil fuels.
Transport is now the UK’s largest greenhouse-gas-emitting sector; emissions from vans increased by 65% between 1990 and 2019, mainly due to the significant increase in van traffic (up 124%) thanks to the rise of online shopping.[1]
Sales of new diesel vans will end in 2030, and no new hybrid vans will be sold from 2035. To hit those targets, the government has announced that 70% of all new vans registered by 2030 must be zero-emission. Since announcing those targets, fuel costs have continued to rise, cities across the country have introduced clean air zones and some businesses now have to report on their emissions. With all this going on, transitioning from diesel to electric vans is no longer just a smart move – it’s a necessary one.
It’s no small feat either, as one in ten UK workers (some 3.4 million people) rely on a van for their job.[2] But whether you’re operating one van or managing a nationwide fleet, switching to electric vehicles (EVs) can save you money, win you customers and reduce your environmental impact. But making the change requires more than just swapping keys – it takes planning, investment and the right approach.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through a six-step process of transitioning your vans from diesel to electric. We’ll take a pragmatic approach and look at what you need to do before, during and after you’ve made the switch. No matter where you are in your journey, we hope this guide helps you.
Breakdown:
Step 1: conducting a needs assessment
Step 2: planning – defining goals and deadlines
Step 3: choosing the right electric van
Step 4: understanding charging and infrastructure
Step 5: introducing vehicles to your fleet
Step 6: monitoring the results
Final thoughts: driving towards an electric future
Step 1: conducting a needs assessment
Before making any changes you need to know where you’re starting from, and that requires an audit of your existing fleet and its daily operation. A full fleet analysis will ask questions such as:
- What do you use your existing van(s) for?
- It could be that you carry bulky, lightweight items such as parcels, in which case you’ll need a van with a large cargo area.
- Alternatively, you might be delivering heavier loads and therefore need to prioritise payload instead.
- What’s the average daily mileage of your routes?
- According to the most recent DfT statistics the average van in the UK travels less than 50 miles a day, but it’s always good to know your use case, including any regular routes.
- Don’t forget to add any exceptional journeys – for example, when you’re called on once a year to do a job that’s out of the ordinary.
- How many stops do you make per day?
- Be sure to note where you stop and your dwell time – it might be that you can slot an electric van into your operation without making any changes!
- Alternatively, you may be able to restructure your day to co-ordinate your lunch break with a charging stop – ideally you’ll be charging while stopped, instead of stopping to charge.
- What are your current fuel and maintenance costs?
- This is a critical factor for many businesses, both from a cost-per-mile perspective and also in terms of the total cost of ownership of your van.
- It’s vital you understand any running costs of your existing fleet, including insurance and maintenance, before you can switch.
Step 2: planning – defining goals and deadlines
Every successful fleet electrification starts with a clear goal and a realistic timeline. Ask yourself:
- Why are you making the switch?
- Do you want to reduce emissions, lower your costs or attract new customers? Perhaps you have a clean air zone coming into effect in your city, or you have a van that needs replacing urgently.
- You could even be doing this to incentivise a top-performing driver on your fleet, or just rewarding yourself with a shiny new van.
- Whatever your reason, write it down – you’re more likely to hit a goal if you do.
- How many EVs do you want to put on the road?
- Any business knows the importance of specific, measurable aims, and the first step in your transition is to give yourself a target for the number of electric vans you want to add to your fleet.
- It could be as a total percentage of your fleet, or you could target the routes that will make the biggest difference to your overall carbon footprint.
- Consider investing in multiple new vans at the same time; there are often discounts to be had by buying in bulk.
- How many electric vans will you add this year?
- Every goal needs a timeline – whether you’re trying to hit a deadline, or just want to make a big splash in the paper.
- Things to consider: which manufacturers have stock, potential lead times and whether any of your diesel vans need replacing soon.
- The earlier you transition to electric vans, the quicker you might be able to start saving.
- When will you fully transition your delivery van fleet?
- You might decide to answer the previous question by working back from a date by which you want your entire fleet to be fully electric.
- Equally, you may want to start with an initial order for one electric van, and add to your fleet over time.
- A clear statement of intent (e.g.: “we plan to be fully electric by this point”) signals to your customers that you’re committed to transitioning your fleet, and gives them confidence to invest in your business.
Step 3: choosing the right electric vans
You’ll no doubt have a few brands in mind when it comes to choosing your next van, but it pays to shop around. The opportunity to electrify your fleet is the ideal time to consider a brand you may not have used before, because there’s a vast difference between a diesel van, an electric van built on a diesel platform and a born-electric van.
Legacy manufacturers are selling electric vans which have been designed around an internal combustion engine, or ones which have been converted to use an electric powertrain. Unlike legacy manufacturers, Farizon has built the SV on a platform which has been designed from the ground up to be an EV. There’s no space under the bonnet for an engine, and the batteries aren’t on top of the chassis – they’re integrated into the structure. This brings with it a number of operational benefits, including greater carrying capacity, better driving dynamics and increased range.
When selecting the right electric van for you, consider the following:
- Range: can the vans on your shortlist handle a full day’s route without recharging? If not, what’s their maximum charging speed – how quickly can you top them up again?
- Load space: will your packages or tools fit comfortably in the load area?
- Payload: can it handle your typical delivery loads?
- Towing: do you tow equipment with your van?
- Safety: which vans have the highest Euro NCAP rating?
- Comfort: which electric vans have the best driver convenience features? Leather seats and a heated steering wheel are fast becoming must-haves for the modern van driver.
- Technology: 360-degree cameras make parking easier, while Apple CarPlay integration allows a driver to make the cabin their office and have hands-free control of their music.
Step 4: understanding charging and infrastructure
A successful delivery EV transition depends on reliable charging access. When considering which van to choose, you’ll no doubt have seen your van’s range, so the next obvious question is how you will charge it.
There are more than 75,000 public charging points across the UK, and this number is growing rapidly. But just as diesel varies in its quality, electric varies in the speed at which it goes into your tank:
- AC or ‘slow’ chargers are 7kW units which you’ll find on the side of residential buildings across the UK, commonly referred to as ‘home chargers’ as they can be ideal for charging up while your van is parked on your driveway.
- Fast DC chargers can be five times quicker, with speeds of 50kW commonplace.
- The quickest way to top up your electric van is with a rapid or ultra-rapid DC charger, which can add as much as 150kW of capacity to your EV’s battery in less than an hour.
Remember your van’s maximum charging speed, and use your analysis of where your vans are parked up for periods of time to determine what your mix should look like, and then consider:
- Home charging: install type 2 AC chargers at your drivers’ homes.
- Public charging: look out for charge point operators such as Gridserve, Instavolt, Osprey and others, or use tools such as ZapMap to locate nearby public fast chargers.
- Fast charging: consider installing DC fast chargers in your depot for quick turnarounds during shift changes.
When it comes to home or depot charging, you’ll want to talk to your energy provider about power availability, grid upgrades and off-peak charging schedules to reduce costs. For public charging, consider speaking to your fuel card provider to see if they offer an EV fuel card.
Step 5: introducing the vehicles to your fleet
You’ve researched your fleet, set your targets, decided which van to go for and got to grips with charging infrastructure. Congratulations, you’re now ready to put your first EVs onto your fleet!
As electric vans drive slightly differently to diesel vans – you’ll not have any gear-changes to worry about, for example – you’ll have new techniques to learn, such as one-pedal driving and regenerative braking. Training is vital to get the best from your new purchase, and you’ll want to make sure you understand how to operate the van yourself before hitting the road. Van manufacturers have comprehensive handover processes, but we recommend you get behind the wheel when not on the clock – perhaps just taking it home one night to get used to the controls.
Once you understand your new van, you can then share your knowledge with other drivers. A well-trained workforce is likely to have fewer accidents and breakdowns, plus they’ll be able to maximise the range of the vans, and you’ll have a fleet of satisfied drivers too.
Step 6: monitoring the results
Whether you’ve added just one electric van to your business or replaced the entire fleet, the final step is to keep a close eye on performance.
Track:
- Range vs. route demands: are you getting consistent results?
- Efficiency: what miles-per-kilowatt-hour do you get? How much range do you get from a charge?
- Charging times and costs: are your chargers being used efficiently?
- Maintenance records: are your EVs saving you money on repairs?
- Driver feedback: are drivers comfortable and confident in the new vans?
Final thoughts: driving towards an electric future
Transitioning your fleet from diesel to electric may seem like a big leap – but it’s a smart investment in your business and the environment. With the right vehicles, charging setup and operational strategy, electric vans can cut your costs, reduce emissions and futureproof your fleet.
Plan ahead, learn as you go and watch your business evolve into a cleaner, smarter operation.
[2] Source: UK government workforce statistics.
