Small businesses in Europe could save up to €14,000 (£11,600) a van over three years by switching to electric vans thanks to charging savings compared to fuel costs and reduced maintenance costs.

According to the study, electric vans more than pay for themselves within three years

These are the key findings from a report commissioned by Ford Pro. Carried out by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR), The Economics of Commercial Van Usage Across Europe 2024 report follows a survey of 1,000 businesses in five major van markets across Europe.

According to the study, electric vans more than pay for themselves within three years – a common finance plan length – through lower running costs. This lower total cost of operation stands to benefit small businesses as they begin to recognise the advantages of electric vans and follow in the footsteps of better-resourced large fleets by adopting electrified vehicles.

Electric vans offer multiple opportunities for small businesses to minimise costs from the moment they drive off the forecourt, notably through the reduced cost of charging compared with refuelling petrol and diesel vehicles.

Electric vans are also mechanically simpler than diesel vehicles, which reduces the need for maintenance. Ford Pro estimates that the service maintenance and repair cost is 40% lower for the E-Transit than for equivalent diesel-powered models.

According to the CEBR electrification report, firms in France stand to benefit the most, where going electric could save up to €19,000 (£15,700) per van. This saving comes from factors including a comparatively low price difference for electric- and fuel-powered vans once governments grants are added, as well as lower depreciation for electric vans. This saving is also supported by France showing a relatively large divergence between electricity and fuel prices, which increases the potential to save money with an electric van by recharging cheaply.

Firms in Spain can save up to €16,000 (£13,200), up to €14,000 (£11,600) in the UK, up to €12,000 (£9,900) in Italy, and up to €11,000 (£9,100) in Germany. Across the five markets, the average saving is €14,000 (£11,600). Further savings may also be accrued from exemption from payments required after entering the increasing number of low-emission zones.

Ford Pro is also supporting the EV transition to make it as easy as possible. The E-Switch Assist tool helps customers to quickly judge, based on vehicle workload, which vehicles in their current fleet are most suitable to be replaced with an electric model. Since E-Switch Assist launched, Ford Pro customers in Europe have run 50,000 of their existing vehicles through the software to assess the best opportunities to electrify their fleets.

Among the many small businesses already benefitting from cost-effective electrification with Ford Pro is delivery company France Alliance 56. When the firm first began delivering parcels in the Morbihan region of France, it relied on diesel-powered vans. Today, the business operates E-Transit vans supported by Ford Pro Charging solutions.

Switching to electric vans has cut energy costs by over 80%, with expenses dropping to just €3 per 100km (£2.50 per 62 miles) compared to an €18-€20 (£14.90-£16.60) cost for diesel-powered vans. According to France Alliance 56, this significant saving has also been very simple to achieve.

“Once drivers come back, it’s easy for them to recharge the vans. Within ten seconds they’re out of the cab, at the charge point and plugging the van in. It couldn’t be simpler,” said Willy Le Gouellec, manager, France Alliance 56. “The software is easy to use for me, too – I can see each vehicle and how much range it has left. We’re seeing a major advantage.”

Hans Schep, general manager, Ford Pro, Europe, said: “The European economy is built on small businesses, and their adoption of electric vans is a critical next step to electrifying Europe’s roads. Some small businesses have already made a successful start to that journey and Ford Pro is ensuring that we have the electric vans and services to support them.”

The full CEBR report is online here.