Electric Van Production On The Rise: Time To Make The Switch

The Ramp-Up In Electric Van Production Offers An Opportunity For Fleets

The Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP) believes that the ramp-up in electric van production presents an opportunity for fleets to make the switch from diesel vehicles.

The chair of the industry body says some members report shorter lead times for electric vans compared to diesel equivalents.

Shorter Lead Times For Electric Vans Prompt Fleets To Place Orders

Electric van production is starting to pick up pace.

Although the numbers remain small in the overall industry, lead times for electric vans take several months.

This makes it an opportune time for fleets to place orders.

The increase in production is a result of manufacturers putting greater resources into electric van production to meet corporate emissions targets.

AFP Believes Electric Vans Are The Future Of Light Commercial Vehicles

The AFP views that although there are concerns about the operational and technical barriers associated with electric vans, most fleets can start using them relatively easily in certain applications.

Electric vans are the future for light commercial vehicles and the industry needs to work towards resolving any operational problems.

Now is a good time for fleets to place orders, given the current supply situation.

Need For Government Support To Speed Up The Adoption Of Electric Vans

The AFP believes the government must provide more support to speed up adoption and overcome objections.

Incentives, like benefit-in-kind used to boost car electrification, would greatly help fleets acquire electric vans.

Investing in electric vans

The switch to electric vans has the potential to significantly reduce emissions, improve air quality, and save on fuel costs.

Electric vans have lower maintenance costs due to fewer moving parts than diesel vehicles.

The technology behind electric vans is improving, offering longer ranges and faster charging times.

The upfront cost of electric vans is higher than diesel vehicles.

However, savings in fuel, maintenance, and government incentives can offset the cost over time.

Furthermore, the long-term benefits of reduced emissions and improved air quality make electric vans an attractive option for fleets.

Conclusion https

In conclusion, the ramp-up in electric van production presents a great opportunity for fleets to make the switch to electric vehicles.

The AFP believes that with proper consideration and government support, electric vans can become a viable solution for many fleets.

The benefits of reduced emissions, improved air quality, and cost savings make it a smart investment for the future.

No Van Insurance? Don’t Cry Over Spilt Milk

There used to be the days when milk floats were a common sight and sound around the early morning roads. People liked their milk…delivered.

In recent years your average milk float has gone the way of the dinosaurs (almost like ice cream vans), to the point where seeing a milk float is like seeing a calm white van man. It just doesn’t happen.

However, there are some people out there who still like their milk delivered in the morning, waiting at their doorstep and as they collect it in their dressing gown. For some it is a tradition they just don’t want to give up.

To fulfil this demand, your average milkman, or milkwoman, has decided to swap the milk float for a van…one of those light commercial vehicles is typically preferred.

So it’s good to see that milk is still being delivered in some parts of the country, like Bolton for example, where I hear that getting milk on your doorstep is still a common occurrence.

That is why on one cold morning on the streets of Bolton a light commercial vehicle drove around the empty streets. You might be forgiven for thinking the driver was up to no good, until you saw him get out of the van and then get some milk out of the back.

This milkman was just going about his business and doing the rounds…he didn’t expect what was about to happen next.

Suddenly, and unexpectedly, a voice came out of the darkness, “Freeze. Put your hands where I can see them. Down on the ground…NOW,” is possibly what was said, although no-one knows for sure.

It was the Police, and what appears to have happened is they had scanned the van. “Beep, Beep,” it sounded, and for your average man and woman in Blue, this is the green light they need to go in and take action.

So at 1:20am on a cold morning in the city of Bolton a tense standoff was happening. Would the milkman make a run for it? Maybe in the good old days of milk floats he would have decided to take off and let the Police give chase, but on this day he decided to give himself up.

He knew they had got him, and he knew exactly what for…no van insurance. That’s right. For some reason this particular milkman thought that driving around in the early hours meant he didn’t have to buy van insurance, but he was wrong.

The Police are everywhere, even in bushes, and it doesn’t matter what time of the day it is…they will get you, arrest you, and send you to jail if they find that no van insurance is the crime.

So now this milkman has to do the time…although there is no point in crying over spilt milk.

Much to the credit of Bolton Police they did recognise the fact that people would not be getting their milk now this van was off the road and the milkman was behind bars. That is why they allowed him one phone call, where they suggested he phone a mate to come and pick up the milk and get it out to customers.

So another van arrived. This time with insurance and enough space in the back to put the milk in there and then make the deliveries.

If there was Wi-Fi at the Police Station then I just hope the milkman took the time to visit Cheap Van Insurance, The Nations Favourite.

In 3 minutes he could have filled out his details, and then in no time at all get around 40 quotes. That is all you need to legally deliver milk.

He could have even used Cheap Van Insurance as a negotiating tactic in the interview room. “Look at the cheap quotes I’ve just got. I’m on the straight and narrow now, guv, no more bother from me,” he could have said to the Police officer.

With those words the milkman would have been back on the roads the very next morning, ready to deliver milk once again.

Nearly 400,000 Light Commercial Vehicles Registered in UK

Light commercial vehicles, or LCV’s as they are also known, have always been popular, but at the end of 2016 a record number were registered.

375,687 was the exact figure according to official records, although as we approach the half way point of 2017 it wouldn’t surprise me if the figure was now nearly 400,000.

This is in stark contrast to 2009, when the official number of light commercial vehicles was 186,387. In just 7 years the number of LCV’s has pretty much doubled. It makes you wonder what that figure will be in another 7 years? A lot I’m sure.

It all has to do with the fact that companies of all sizes are now investing in LCV’S, as they are both practical and look professional, and in many cases are far more affordable to run than bigger vans.

Take van insurance for example, where insuring your light commercial vehicle is now potentially cheaper than ever…as long as you use a comparison website of course.

Insurance for LCV’s is not all that owners are willing to spend their money on though, as recent reports show that many companies now like to spend a few quid on customisations for their vehicles.

Things such as sliding doors, branding vinyl wraps, and customised mats are just some of customisations that companies order with the LCV.

They also go directly to the manufacturer to get specific customisations that improve productivity and keep their light commercial vehicles on the right side of the law.

To give you an example, a business owner recently ordered 100 Renault Master Panel Vans that came with rear doors that opened at exactly 270 degrees and had a limit to how fast the van could go…68mph!

So I don’t think any of these Renault Master Panel Vans are going to be getting pulled over by the Police for speeding anytime soon, although the company owner should still warn his drivers about the possibility of being stopped for talking on a mobile phone while driving.

I’m sure it must have cost quite a bit more to have these customisations on the Renault LCV’s, but if the company owner visited a van comparison website, such as this one, then I’m sure he could potentially make a lot of that money back through the cheap insurance quotes on offer.

Also, let’s not forget that if the company has 100 LCV’s then they qualify for specialised fleet insurance, where you are able to take advantage of discounts when insuring a large amount of vans on one policy and at the same time.

If you are in the same position, where you have many light commercial vehicles in your company and you want to save money on van insurance, then my advice is to start with comparing quotes right here. It only takes a few minutes, and you get instant access to quotes from around 40 insurance companies.

Step 1

Complete your quick and easy quote

Step 2

Reveal your van insurance policies

Step 3

Pick your favourite and get instant cover