Did you know that the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans will end by 2030?
The new era of electric commercial vehicles is an exciting one but we know you’ll have many questions. Switching to electric is a big decision for any business, so we want to help you understand the full picture.
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.
Charging
Once you get into the habit, charging an electric van is not too different to charging your phone or laptop. Many drivers simply plug in overnight and start the day with a fully charged battery.
As an eVan user you’ll need regular access to charge points to keep your business moving. The primary solution would be to have an electric charge point at your residence or business, which you can then access exclusively.
How to charge your electric van at home, at a depot or business premises
Rossetts will help make buying and installing a home or office charger a seamless part of your van buying process. We work closely with our charging partners, Rightcharge and EO charging. Once you choose your van, Rossetts will put you in touch to arrange the installation of your charger at home or work.
How to charge your electric van at public charging stations
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 Me software that enables you to locate the most convenient charging stations on your route, optimising your battery range.
There are now over 64,000 public charging points and the number is growing by the day – in fact, there are now more electric vehicle charging points than petrol stations[e]. You’ll find these at supermarkets, drive-thru restaurants, hotels, motorway service stations and many other locations. They’re easy to find online with the Mercedes Me software and on websites such as Zap Map and Plugshare.
How long does it take to charge an electric van?
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.
What is the difference between 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.
Range
All new Mercedes-Benz electric vans come with an 8-year or 100,000 miles battery capacity warranty, and are expected to maintain at least a 70% capacity beyond this time.
| |
Range (WLTP) |
Fast Charging
(Approx.) |
eCitan
The compact electric panel van. |
Up to
176 miles* |
38 min^^ |
eVito Panel Van
The medium electric panel van.
|
Up to
162 miles* |
35 min^^ |
eVito Tourer
The all-electric MPV.
|
Up to
221 miles* |
40 min^^ |
eSprinter - coming soon^
The most versatile large electric van ever.
|
Up to
271 miles** |
42 min^^ |
^The new eSprinter will be launched in stages, starting with the new eSprinter panel van in selected versions from early 2024.
Want to know more? Download our 2024 eVan Guide