Electric Van Costs: Guide on How Much Should You Expect to Pay

When considering whether to purchase an electric van, one thing is for sure; you are going to want to know how much it will cost to run in comparison to your existing diesel or petrol model. 

At Loads of Vans, we not only sell new, nearly new and used electric commercials but are here to answer any questions you may have about owning an electric van too. 

In this guide dedicated to electric van costs, we explain how much you should expect to pay for the running of a zero-emission vehicle. Read on to find out more… 

How much is an electric van to buy?

The upfront payment of an electric van is very much dependent on the make and model you choose - of course, size is a big factor too (depending on whether you require a small, medium or large van). 

If you’re looking for a small electric van for your business, the good news is that you can get your hands on a Renault Kangoo electric model starting from just under £20,000. As compared to its predecessor - the ZE - this version comes with more cargo space (load volume) and improved payload to make sure that you can carry more goods or equipment with ease. Read our review here. One thing’s for sure, we won’t be beaten on electric van prices and best of all, we have plenty in stock and ready to drive away today!

Are electric vans more expensive to buy?

It’s no secret that electric vans cost more to purchase than their diesel or petrol equivalents, but what’s worth remembering is that they come with many perks. For instance, EVs are generally cheaper to run and allow you free driving into central London too. 

How much does it cost to charge an electric van?

Because electricity prices are far cheaper than fuel, it is much more effective to charge a van’s battery as opposed to filling up a van’s tank with petrol or diesel. To charge an electric van with a 45 kWh battery, it takes around £16 for a full charge.

When it comes to calculating how much it costs you to charge, there are a number of factors to consider. Firstly, the size needs to be taken into account (including battery size) as well as the electricity pricing in your area, and how often and at what time you charge.

To help give you a better idea of what you could be paying to charge your electric van, here’s our guide using the small-sized Renault E-Tech as an example:

• The average electricity rate in April 2023 is 34p per kWh on a standard domestic tariff
• The Renault Kangoo Van E-Tech model has a 45 kWh battery
• The driving range is up to 186-miles on a single charge
• Let’s assume you drive 10,000 miles a year
• You plug-in for a full overnight charge at home

Total per charge = around £16

Now let’s compare to a Renault Kangoo diesel model:

• The average diesel fuel price in April 2023 is £1.66 per litre
• The estimated fuel consumption is 49 mpg
• A full tank holds approximately 54 litres of fuel
• You can drive up to 565 miles on a full tank
• Let’s assume you drive 10,000 miles a year
• You fill up the tank to full capacity

Total per tank = £89.64

TOTAL SAVINGS PER TANK/CHARGE FOR AN ELECTRIC VAN VERSUS A DIESEL VAN = £73.64 

What is the cost per mile to drive an electric and a diesel van?

Based on the information above, we’ve worked out the cost per mile to drive an electric van compared to its diesel equivalent:

• Kangoo electric per mile = 8p per mile
• Kangoo diesel per mile = 15p per mile

TOTAL SAVINGS PER MILE FOR AN ELECTRIC VAN VERSUS A DIESEL VAN = 7p per mile      

Do you pay tax on electric vans?

A perk of owning an electric commercial is that you pay zero road tax. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are entirely exempt, whereas plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) pay a reduced road tax rate instead. 

Also known as Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) the rules for EVs will be subject to review by the UK Government in 2025, so watch this space. 

How much is an EV's insurance?

Most mainstream vehicle insurance companies now offer cover for electric cars or commercials and will likely provide you with the option to cover the battery as part of your policy too. However, most EV manufacturers already cover the battery under warranty for between 8 to 10 years, so it’s best to check this with the dealer first. 

The insurance will differ between insurers and the monthly or annual amount you’ll pay not only depends on the make and model but your personal circumstances too. Factors such as where you park the vehicle during the day and overnight, what you plan to use the crew or panel van for, and how many miles a year you drive will also have an impact. 

According to research and data insurance website NimbleFins, the average electric vehicle insurance is £654 per year, but this will of course differ depending on your circumstances. 

We’d recommend that you speak to your current insurer about what price they can offer you and compare against other insurers on price comparison sites to know whether or not you’re getting a good type of deal.

How much is it to service electric vehicles in the United Kingdom?

As with a combustion-engined powered van, an electric one also needs to be serviced regularly to help keep things functioning as smoothly as possible. If you purchase it from new, the manufacturer will likely recommend a first service after two years, and annually thereafter. 

Because they have fewer moving parts, they are very much considered to be more effective to maintain overall. Depending on where you choose to get your service, the annual fee will likely be around £150. 

According to the website WhoCanFixMyCar which enables motorists to source local authorised garages, the average full electric vehicle service costs £143.75. Compare this figure to a full service for a petrol or diesel variant, and you’re looking at an average of £174.23. 

Based on these average UK figures, electric range owners will save just over £30 on their annual service.   

How much is an electric van to MOT?

Among other running costs to consider, is the MOT. Much like with a service, if your panel van is bought brand new, it will not need to have an MOT for the first three years, but will require an annual one thereafter. The law which previously saw electric vans and cars under 3.5 tonnes exempt from an MOT changed in 2015, is now a legal requirement.

To ease your mind, MOTs for vehicles powered by conventional engines are charged the same as those for alternative-fueled ones. As of April 2023, the maximum charge for an MOT is currently £54.85 for vehicles up to 3 tonnes (3,000 kg), but of course, you may well find a cheaper alternative elsewhere. Bear in mind that the basic fee does not include any parts or labour charges that may be incurred. 

How long do batteries last in electric vans?

Despite the myths, electric van batteries can last for up to 20 years, or up to 500,000 miles. As we mentioned earlier in the article, most manufacturers will offer an 8-year or 100,000 mile warranty (whichever comes first) as standard for you and your business.

Much like with any vehicle component, a battery is subject to wear and tear so will gradually degrade over time and eventually need replacing.  

What price will it be to replace an electric van battery?

The amount to replace the battery in your electric van really can vary depending on the make and model of the vehicle. To give you a rough guide price, expect to pay anywhere between £4,000 to £10,000. 

For peace of mind, if that battery fails in the first eight years of ownership, it will likely still be under warranty. As we highlighted above, such batteries are designed to last up to 20 years before they need replacing.

What is the price to install an electric vehicle charger at home?

Convenience is key so if you’re investing in an electric van, you’ll no doubt want access to a charging point both at work and at home. Installing a charger at home may not be as expensive as you may think. The most popular charging unit is called Pod Point and can be installed at home from just £549 by EDF Energy. 

Benefit from the OZEV EV Chargepoint Government Grant

As an owner, you’ll be eligible for a Government grant to help bring down the cost of installing a charging point at home. OZEV - which is the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles - offers a grant to homeowners which makes owning one much more of an easy task.

EV owners can claim up to £350 off the total of purchasing and installing a new EV ChargePoint at their home address. Grants are also available to businesses too. Take a look at our Government Grants for EVs article to find out if you’re eligible for a van grant and what other savings you could make.

Electric van running costs FAQs

When it comes to owning an electric van, you’ll want to ensure the annual running of the vehicle is cost-effective and falls within your yearly motoring budget. To help with your decision about whether to make the switch, take a look at our most frequently asked questions relating to electric van ownership and maintenance… 

Is it cheaper to run an electric van?

Yes, overall an electric van can be cheaper to run than a petrol or diesel equivalent. Expect to make savings on fuel, and annual service and you won’t pay any road tax or Congestion Charge if you drive into London.

Is the electric van insurance more expensive?

Yes, such insurance can prove more expensive than insurance for combustion models. The average for insuring an electric van in the UK is £654, whereas the average for insuring a petrol or diesel variant is £367 (according to the online comparison website GoCompare). 

How much is the road tax for an electric van?

Zero pounds! Electric van owners will benefit from absolutely nothing to pay when it comes to vehicle road tax. Fully electric vans with no emissions are tax-free. 

How much does it cost to drive 100 miles in an electric van in the UK?

Based on the example in this article, in the UK it will be around £8 to drive 100 miles in an electric van. Compare this to a diesel van version, and it’s a more costly £15 to drive 100 miles - almost double. Read all you need to know about the electric vans range here.

Do electric vans need an MOT?

Yes, electric vans require an MOT just like a van with a conventional combustion engine does. What’s worth knowing is that if you purchase one from new, you won’t need to have it MOT’d until the third year from registration.

Are electric vans and vehicles more expensive to repair?

Yes, electric vans tend to be more expensive to repair because the parts are more costly but offset that with the fact that they are generally cheaper to maintain.  

What are the benefits of buying an electric van?     

They are becoming increasingly popular as a sustainable and cost-effective solution for transporting goods, and cargo, and can save you money in the long run.

There are many benefits to owning an electric van, here are just a few we’ve covered in this article: 

• You’ll pay zero road tax fees
• You won’t pay for fuel costs
• Charging is much cheaper 
• Zero emissions driving
• Free entry to the London Congestion Charge
• No Low Emission Zone (LEZ) or Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) costs
• Cheaper to service

Discover the benefits of electric vans for Londoners in our dedicated article. 

New and used electric vans for sale at Loads of Vans

When searching for an electric van to buy, why go anywhere else? Here, in North Cheam, South London we are the first stop for new and used electric vans at the very best prices for businesses.

What’s more, during a time when motorists are having to wait months for a new model, we have electric vans in stock and available RIGHT NOW. Make your EV purchase even more affordable thanks to our van finance deals that can be designed around you and your business.

Visit us in person or online to explore our entire range of EV options and we could have you on the road in a zero-emissions van in no time. If you would like more details on our limited offers call us today and one of our sale team members will be more than happy to help you.