Top 3 Tips For Maximising Your Electric Van Range

Maximising your electric van range is essential for ensuring efficient operations. We all want to get the best electric van range before stopping to recharge. Business owners and electric vehicle (EV) drivers are getting used to the fact that EVs cannot cover the same distances as internal combustion engines (ICE) without recharging. However, electric vans such as the Maxus eDELIVER series easily beat ICE vans when measuring sustainability and service savings.

Do you want to know how to maximise your electric van’s range? We share our top three tips.

How is Electric Van Range Calculated?

Ever wondered how far your electric van can travel on a single charge? Unlike filling up a petrol tank with a predictable number of litres, electric vehicle range can seem a little more mysterious. There are two main ways to determine an electric van’s range:

• Manufacturer’s WLTP Figures: The Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) is a standardised test used across Europe to assess an EV’s energy consumption and range. Introduced in 2017, the WLTP simulates real-world driving conditions, incorporating a mix of urban stop-start traffic, rural roads, and motorway journeys. This provides a more accurate picture of an electric van’s potential range compared to older testing methods.
• On-board Trip Computer: Most electric vans have a trip computer that displays the estimated remaining range based on the battery’s state of charge (SOC) and the van’s recent driving efficiency. This figure is constantly recalculating as driving conditions change, offering a real-time picture of how far you can travel before needing to recharge.

It’s important to remember that both WLTP figures and on-board trip computer estimates are just that – estimates. The actual range you achieve will be influenced by several factors we’ll explore in the next section.

What Factors Affect the Range of Your Electric Van?

While battery capacity is the most significant factor determining an electric van’s range, several other elements can influence how far you travel on a single charge:

• Driving Style. Aggressive acceleration, frequent braking, and high speeds all consume more energy. A smoother, more relaxed driving style can significantly improve your electric van’s range. Using regenerative braking can help recapture energy during deceleration and braking, extending the range.
• Weather Conditions. Extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, can impact battery performance. Cold weather reduces battery efficiency, while hot weather can increase energy consumption due to reliance on air conditioning.
• Payload Weight. The heavier the load your electric van carries, the more energy it requires to maintain speed. Lighter loads will translate to a greater driving range.
• Terrain. Hilly terrain requires more energy to climb inclines, reducing your overall range compared to flat driving.
• Ancillary Features. Using features like air conditioning, heating, and entertainment systems will increase energy consumption and slightly decrease your range.

What is Range Anxiety?

Range anxiety is a common concern among those considering switching to an electric vehicle, particularly for vans where the range may be crucial for business operations. It’s the fear of running out of charge before reaching your destination, especially on longer journeys. This anxiety can stem from a lack of familiarity with electric vehicle technology and the perception of a limited charging network.

Unlike petrol or diesel vans where a quick stop at the gas station can get you back on the road in minutes, charging an electric van can take longer, depending on the charging station’s capabilities and your battery’s depletion level. This perceived inconvenience, coupled with the unfamiliarity of planning journeys around charging stops, can contribute to range anxiety.

In the next section, we’ll explore various ways to maximise the range of your electric van and mitigate these anxieties. By understanding how to optimise your driving and utilising the growing network of charging stations, you can confidently experience the benefits of electric vans for your business.

3 Ways to Maximise Your Electric Van Range

1. Focus On Driver Behaviour And Improve Your EV Range 

In September 2023, the Automobile Association (AA) surveyed UK drivers for the most annoying driving habits. Eighty-seven percent stated they disliked it when people drove with full beam lights on when passing other cars, and twenty-six percent found tailgating on motorways irritating. Bad habits don’t change when people start driving electric vans. Focus on the following, and you will improve your EV range.   

• Speed. Driving erratically and speeding is as bad for your electric van as it is for your ICE vehicle. It drains the EV battery faster, forcing you to stop for a recharge more often. Drive smoothly, maintain a steady speed, and you will increase the van’s range. 
• Route planning. Are you making a long-distance delivery on a route that is hilly in places? Climbing hills requires more battery energy and reduces your electric van’s range. Use a UK-wide map of electric vehicle charging points and plan your route accordingly.  
• Climate control. It takes a lot of energy to heat and cool a vehicle cabin. Bring it to your ideal temperature while the van is plugged in and save on battery life. Drivers of Maxus eDELIVER 3 Milk Floats appreciate their heated seats. Seat heaters use less energy, allowing you more driving range.   
• Load weight. The Maxus eDELIVER 9 Low Loader’s payload (excluding body) is 1,410 kilograms, and its unbraked towing capacity is 750 kilograms. Carrying or towing heavy loads consumes battery energy and decreases your EV’s range.    
• Tyre pressure. Underinflated tyres are inefficient, causing a drain on your electric van’s battery and cutting down on your range. Check your van’s tyre pressure regularly to ensure it complies with the manufacturer’s recommendations. 

2. Look After The Battery To Maximise Your Electric Van Range 

Each electric van’s range is determined by the size of its battery and external influences such as driver behaviour and the weather. The Maxus eDELIVER 3 series, for example, offers two battery sizes. The Maxus eDELIVER 9 has three battery options with various battery cooling methods to reduce charge time, extend battery life and increase the operating range. How can you look after your electric van’s battery and maximise its range?

Never let the vehicle’s battery run flat or under 20%, and don’t charge it past 80% unless you are going on a long trip. Use slow charging as much as possible and limit your use of rapid and ultra-rapid charging.

3. Understand Your Electric Van’s Performance 

Most electric vans are fleet vehicles and business owners need optimal performance from their vans. Our final tip to maximising your electric van’s range is understanding its performance. We make it easy for you with our Maxus Intelligence Onboard system. It collates a range of real-time data into reports, including the following: 

• Driver performance. Behaviour data show whether drivers understand their vehicles and how they manage them.
• State of charge. You see the van’s live state of charge, how far it is to the nearest charging point, and if a charge has been interrupted. 
• Compare costs. The Maxus Intelligence Onboard system gives you the energy consumption per vehicle and for the fleet. You will know where energy is added and how much it costs in each location. It will even tell you how much the total energy costs compare to an ICE vehicle.

Maxus commercial electric vans can be converted to meet your specific industry, cargo and passenger needs. They also have battery options to accommodate your driving range, whether city driving or long distance. Contact us today to choose the best vehicle for your preferred electric van range.