.png)
Range figures seem like they should be quite a simple concept, but as always there are complications. So let us try to clear the air.
Firstly, the range numbers you’ll see quoted in our reviews and on the van maker’s websites are simply saying how far it could go between charges. These are the independently assessed ‘official’ figures, but they are done in a lab, so what you’ll get in the real world is likely to be less, depending on factors such as the weather, load being carried and type of driving. They give us a benchmark though.
So don’t buy a van with a quoted 200 mile range and expect it to do a 200 mile journey without giving you a few squeaky bum moments.
Having a long range is a real luxury, as it means you’ll be charging less. And you get more miles by having a bigger battery or more efficient van. But bigger batteries in particular are very expensive and they add weight, which in turn makes your van less efficient. They’ll usually reduce the payload too.
That means you really want to try and buy a van with the smallest possible battery for your needs. It will save you money and mean you use less power as you won’t be carrying around cells that you don’t really use.
So you need to work out how much range you really need to be comfortable. If you do a 20 mile commute, have a home charger and your longest regular journey is to see a supplier 50 miles away, then you’ll be fine with a van with a 120 mile real-world range.
If you only do a couple of big journeys every year, then don’t forget you can stop at a rapid charger and top up. It’s worth spending an extra few minutes plugged in every once in a while rather than having a big battery for a few special occasions. Check the van you are considering has rapid charge capability and look at the speeds it can take. The higher the number, the less time you’ll be waiting to top up.
If you can’t charge where you park overnight, then you might want a bigger range so you can cover a week’s worth of miles and only top up once a week.
If that’s still not enough, then there are plenty of other vans which can cover bigger distances without needing to charge. Models such as the Renault Master can cover 250 miles or more.
Hopefully you’ll now have a realistic idea about what you need. You could even say you feel more at home on the range topic?
