VAN Management 111

We often talk about electric vans… but sales of these ‘zero-emission’ models are still very limited. In 2019, 399 new electric vans were registered, good for 0.5% of the market. Last year, that was 446, a share of just 0.6%.

Understandable. Their operating costs may be lower, but the purchase price is higher, the residual value is not yet certain and they are not as flexible in use due to their limited driving range and longer charging time... although fuel cell vehicles that produce electricity based on hydrogen may offer a solution in that respect.

Another fact that is playing tricks on electric vans: unlike passenger cars, there are no tax incentives for electric vans. But that could change soon. After all, there is a bill on the table regarding the deduction of both passenger and commercial vehicles registered in the name of a company, which would also limit the deduction of non-electric light commercial vehicles, and then also calculate according to the WLTP emissions, which are generally higher than the old NEDC cycle.

Depending on what the final regulation will look like, it could well be that electric vans will soon become a lot more interesting. Although the opinions of the Federal coalition partners also differ greatly on this point. Is there electricity in the air there too?