Tag: electric van

Let’s get some electric over here

Posted on by News Desk

Pardon me? An all electric van? Who would’ve thought! Yet, it is exactly what Ford has come up with to replace Britain’s most popular and bestselling vehicle in the UK (yes folks, the beloved Ford Transit Van). Obviously, a lot of effort has gone into improving the EV (electric vehicle) market but as we are all aware, it had to start somewhere (one small step for cars, one giant leap for vans). The noisy old transits will be a thing of the past as the newer, electric versions replace the older models because manufacturers must keep up with the need to improve on air quality and vehicle emissions. They just don’t stop (thankfully) trying to improve on this. Great stuff.

So, just what have Ford been up to?

Well, they will be looking to push four new commercial vans into the market by 2024 although they are realistic enough to understand that not everyone is in a position to switch to electric motors, even though running costs are considerably lower than diesel.  However, the E-Transit, as it is known, has a 196 mile capacity which should comfortably get the driver from A to B and then on to C – Charging point. Considering there are now more than 42 000 charge point connectors throughout the UK in over 15 000 locations, an increase of around 35% since April last year, the chances of being caught without power are very slim indeed. A point to bear in mind though is that some vans don’t cover quite as many miles; it does depend on battery size.

What else has changed?

You’ll no doubt be relieved to know the answer is – not much has changed to the design of the Transit Van. Some things are just best left alone. So from the outside, it looks like a Transit Van. Under the bonnet and the interior though, you’ll notice a lot of differences. It also will come as no surprise to find that the competition have been doing their homework too and Fiat, Renault, Citroen, Peugeot and Vauxhall have all got their very own electric vans. Plenty of choice if you are looking to replace or buy new. Insurance costs will vary so you need to do your homework if you are looking at investing in a new van (or indeed renewing your insurance). That is, of course, why you are here, right?! Excellent choice, so get cracking and see how much you could save with us on cheap van insurance deals. Get started by filling out our 3-minute form. Yes, really, just 3 minutes is all it will take! What are you waiting for?

White Van Man Goes Green

Posted on by News Desk

We have said it before and we will say it again – you bunch never cease to surprise us.

News this week is that the typical white van man of all the social stereotypes is seemingly a thing of the past.

Replaced by a newer, greener van man (or woman) of the future.

It seems that a huge 91% of you believe that we should all be as environmentally friendly as possible.

Two-thirds of you support government initiatives for fewer vehicle emissions on the roads.

A huge 84% of you think companies should be running environmentally-friendly vehicles.

And 35% of you are considering an electric van when the time comes to upgrade your motor. 

The survey, commissioned by Fiat, to launch its new electric van the E-Ducato,

also found that many of you are not as beloved of the beer and fry-up’s diet as stereotypes may suggest.

In fact, one in five van drivers are either vegetarian or vegan,

and most prefer a cereal bar or bagel to bacon and eggs to get you going in the morning. 

You’re also a sensitive bunch too, with two-thirds of you claiming to be offended that other motorists consider van drivers to be aggressive on the road.

The majority claim to take pride in their vans, keeping them clean and tidy at all times.

And are often to be found foot tapping along to the gentle sounds of Radio 2’s greatest hits, rather than blasting out beats whilst cutting up other road users.

Whether you’re a devotee or diesel, a die-hard petrolhead or an electric eco-warrior, you all deserve the recognition that you deserve for keeping us going through lockdown.

But you also deserve the easiest way to renew your van insurance, whatever type of vehicle you drive.

And that’s why we are here for you – just a few moments using our free quote tool can deliver the best van insurance deals to your inbox, so you can get back to your spirulina smoothie.

Every Little Helps?

Posted on by News Desk

We hate to be harbingers of doom in a gloomy November, with a cold snap on the horizon for all of us, but more bad news this week for many van drivers, thanks to the PM, Boris Johnson, who has announced that he is bringing forward plans to see Britain go all electric with vehicles from 2030.

While this is a blow to motorists, some of the hardest hit maybe you, the humble van drivers of the UK. While electric cars cost a packet, (and many government critics are saying the move to electric vehicles will prevent the poorest people of the UK from being able to afford a car), the case is worse for van drivers, with the cost of a new electric van coming in at around £20k for the most basic models. 

Not to mention, of course, that you have to find somewhere to charge the thing, which is bad news if you live in a flat or somewhere with no off-street parking. (As if worrying about van security isn’t bad enough). And if you’re a delivery driver, there’s the added stress of worrying about electric automated drop-off vans, drones and robots coming to take your jobs. 

While many big businesses with van fleets appear to be in favour of the move, they are of course, failing to consider, you, the little guys, who depend on the fuel efficiency of diesel or the reliability of a petrol van to get you from A to B without needing to stop off and charge up a vehicle you possibly can’t even afford. 

As always, it seems that the little guys are going to be the hardest hit. While we can’t do much more than voice our concern and suggest that the government needs to consider implementing substantial subsidies to help van drivers of the UK make the switch to electric vehicles, we can, as always, ensure you get the best deals on your van insurance. It isn’t much, but it’s something. And right now, as a famous supermarket once said, ‘every little helps.

Time for an Electric Van?

Posted on by News Desk

It seems the world of vans is heading into an all-electric future. This week, delivery giant Amazon unveiled their new custom electric delivery vans which they are rolling out on a large scale through the next few years, with plans to have 100,000 on the road by 2030. 

The van was designed in part with input from Amazon delivery drivers, and features in built Alexa, state of the art traffic sensors, hands-free, real-time navigation, an ergonomically designed driver’s seat, improved access to packages, thanks to a new interior layout, and 360-degree cameras around the vehicle. The company developed the vans as part of a wider green initiative to be carbon neutral by 2040. 

Meanwhile, Kier group, who are responsible for many of the motorway and major road repairs in the UK have also just added electric vehicles to their fleet, in the form of electric taxi vans that are capable of carrying two Euro sized pallets with a payload of up to 830kg. 

These taxi vans will deliver supplies to roadwork sites up and down the country and are currently being tested around the UK. Again, these form part of a bigger goal towards carbon neutrality for the Kier Group. 

The good news is that the drive for electric vehicles by these companies is seeing electric technology being integrated into many commercial vehicles rather quickly. This means that prices are starting to become realistic, the technology more reliable and the savings from owning an electric van are becoming something worth considering for many van drivers. Maybe next time you are due a van upgrade, it will be worth taking a look.

Royal Mail Have 290 Of These “Strange” Vans

Posted on by News Desk

You look out the window and see the Royal Mail van pull up. Out jumps a postie in shorts, but something doesn’t quite seem right.

“That van looks and sounds a bit strange,” you say to yourself.

You go out the front door for a closer look, but still can’t put your finger on what “is different.”

“Hey Postie. Come here,” you shout, as the faithful postie runs around posting letters like a schoolboy in shorts.

“Hello sir, what can I help you with today?” says the postie.

“That van…What…is it…that…makes…it…different?” You ask, slightly puzzled.

“Why sir, the van you are referring to is…

An Electric Van!!” answers the postie.

“Ah it was one of those electric gizmos, is it? Flash in the pan if you ask me,” you say before turning around to walk back in the house.

“Just wait until they replace me with a robot,” the postie answers, before continuing with his round.

Do you know what though? This isn’t just a flash in the pan oh faithful readers of the CVI blog. Electric vans are here to stay and you will be seeing more and more electric Royal Mail vans over the coming years, oh dear readers.

That’s right. The Royal Mail have just taken delivery of 190 brand spanking new electric vans. All sparkling and with that new van smell inside.

This adds to the 100 electric vans they already have, giving them a grand total of 290 electric Royal Mail vans. And that is just the tip of the iceberg.

Pretty soon all Royal Mail Vans will be electric. You will see them cruising about the roads of our nation and pulling up outside your house.

And just like the postie in shorts predicted…it will soon be robots jumping out of the back of these electric vans and walking confidently towards your front door.

Knock Knock.

You Answer The Door.

“John Connor?” says the robot

“Yes,” you reply.

“I have a parcel for you,” the robot says while handing you the parcel and then doing a 180 and heading back to the self driving electric Royal Mail van.

“Thank you Mr Robot,” You shout as the robot walks off…”And I like your shorts!” You go on to add.

This oh faithful readers of the CVI blog is the future, you can be sure of that. Where everything is different, but still familiar.

Just like the CVI web site itself. We will always be familiar, but at some point we will have to change, just like the world around us.

Enter The “i-Van”

Posted on by News Desk

The future of van driving is all about self driving vans. You can have a nap or eat a sandwich or read a newspaper…or all 3.

Your van will do all of the hard work, and make sure you get to your destination on time and in one piece.

Yes, the self driving van revolution is almost among us. It won’t be long now.

Not only that, but these self driving vans are expected to be powered by electricity. All you do is charge them up through the night (kind of like your mobile phone) and then you are good to go in the morning.

Because self driving electric vans are similar to mobile phones, it has come as no surprise that Apple are now in the hunt for bringing a self driving van to the marketplace.

You’ve heard of the i-Phone…well, get ready for the i-Van!

Right now, as we speak, Apple are hard at work with a project called “Project Titan,” and insider sources claim this is going to be an electric powered van.

Don’t get too excited just yet though. The i-Van AKA Project Titan is still only a prototype, which means it could be a few years until we see it on the roads.

So what details do we have about the i-Van? The insider sources claim to have seen the prototype, which was pained in black and silver and looked very cutting edge.

Some of these self driving van prototypes look a bit dodgy, if you ask us, but Apple are always on the forefront of stylish design, so you can expect the i-Van to look like the cats pyjamas.

At this time, our insiders report that Apple engineers are working on the interior of the van…no doubt working out where your i-Phone, i-Pad and i-Pod will go.

I’m sure there will be some kind of central hub within the van to place all of your Apple related products. Maybe even a special place for the i-Phone, which you can turn on and then say the words…

“Take me to Cheap Van Insurance.”

That’s right. Despite owning an i-Van, you will still desire getting cheap van insurance year in and year out.

And what better place to achieve this then right here at The Nations Favourite…CVI.

You can use the voice recognition software on your i-Phone to compare van insurance prices from 40 companies and brokers.

“Compare Now!” you will command, and immediately our slick comparison engine gets to work and produces the lowest van insurance prices in the UK. Right there in front of your face in seconds.

The i-Van is the future of van driving while CVI is the future of cheap van insurance.

Step 1

Complete your quick and easy quote

Step 2

Reveal your van insurance policies

Step 3

Pick your favourite and get instant cover