All in, are electric vans cheaper than diesel?

Nissan Electric Env200 or the Nissan nv200 Diesel van, this video looks at which option is cheapest to run per mile and per year.
Are electic vans really chaper than Diesel? Diesel or Electic van, which is cheaper?
Diesel or electric van?

[@martingill6996]

I’m in the same position where I want to go electric but sadly it doesn’t seem cost effective at the moment due to the high purchase cost, even leasing seems to be double the cost. If you do high mileage and you go into a congestion charge zone regularly then it’s definitely worth it.

[@leesmith9299]

So long as you look after the battery the diesel will have more things go wrong as it gets older.

[@SamButement]

It’s true the diesel has more moving parts to go wrong. Another point I have not raised that will become more of an issue as the years go on is the congestion charge in cities for diesels.

[@rhiantaylor3446]

To take your first, new purchase, example you say it takes 5 years to break even but that does not allow for the significantly better residual value of a 5 yr old EV vs diesel which, looking at autotrader, is currently about 4k to 7k better for the e-NV200 so you effectively recover the extra initial cost of the EV when you come to sell it, in your 5 yr case.

[@SamButement]

Neat!

[@mountainsmedia9529]

Making the same sort of decision at the moment. Would have to go for the the 40 for the range as wouldn’t want the charging headache when touring.

[@SamButement]

For me I could manage with with 80 mile range so the 24kwh has been great. I have also done a 350 mile trip that was a real mission with 7 stops. At higher speeds only 50 miles is possible between charges. Shame Tesla don’t make a van, yet . . .

[@markthomasson5077]

You forgot to factor in the cost of finance. With an used EV I suspect you would not bother with full dealer service.

[@mudassar34]

Interesting... really is this the only model this size in electric...what about the cost of installing electric charging point at home....plus the charging cost I heard it's pay monthly for points around the UK.

[@SamButement]

Yes, as far as I know even in 2020 this is the only electric van this big available currently.

[@caberaman]

The actual cost of an EV is the battery replacement. And this will be interesting to add because after some years will reset the cost. In some countries they don’t change cars after 15 or 20 years. What will happen then? Also many countries produce electricity by burning diesel or natural gas. So if diesel will become more expensive the electricity kWh price will also raise. Also you should add the price of a charger. And of coarse you didn’t mention charging your EV outside in a fast charger…

[@SamButement]

Good points, over the last 2 years i only charge at home overnight.

[@roseeadsdesign]

Great video. Very informative for those looking to invest in an Electric Van.

[@SamButement]

More electric van content coming soon! Probably converting it into a env200 camper van!

[@GaryBox]

I have a couple of issues with the data in the video. Yes the cost saving happens quicker the more mileage you do. However the sort of people doing 20k+ miles a year are not pottering around town. They are up and down the motorway and then range becomes an issue or you have to factor in time and cost of stopping to charge. The other problem is the data assumes the government grant is likely to continue. It also makes the comparison with diesel which is taxed at huge rate. If we all switch to EV the government would then tax EV to make up the lost revenue. Petrol and diesel would actually be quite cheap to run if it wasn't for government tax. Just speak to anyone who owns an old diesel that runs on used vegetable oil to know just how cheap motoring can be.

[@SamButement]

Thanks, I looked at 10k miles a year as that’s what I normally do, but yes the more miles you do the quicker it becomes more economical.

[@BrainDmgBahhh]

My issue wtih EV vs Diesel is the payload and time consumption to recharge plus availability of charging station. For instance right not i could take 1200kg load, tuck it in my 2016 renault traffic fill a tank and go easy 1000km in one fill. To do the same with EV van it would take me probably few extra charges and it will lengten my voyage decent several hours wich also are quite costly if you operate as a company. So all in all, where do the saving come in that case?

[@SamButement]

Agreed, after my 352 mile trip I know first hand that low range Evs are best at local work. Soon you will be available to do 300 miles in a van but at a price. It’s all a compromise in these early days but fine if your business is local.

[@NbaLegend1990]

You should compare electric vans. I'd really like to know what affordable Van's are good and bad based on engine, interior, ergonomics and more. And..... what's next for electric vehicles?

[@SamButement]

As far as I know this is the only van this size available in the U.K. When VW or Tesla make a van I will definitely do a test drive video. However this Nissan env200 van will most likely do for the majority and it’s a much a cheaper option. I think if an ev is the same price as a diesel and can do 250miles that’s probs enough for most people to make the change! What range would you need?

[@Wookey.]

It's not just cost. Pollution and decabonisation matter too. That's got to be worth something too. I too want an electric camper and have been watching developments in van-world keenly. I currently have a 21-year old Peugeot expert which is getting a bit tired (and small as we get over 50, so one we could stand up in would be nice...). You might be interested in Muxsan's plan to put a 69kWh battery into an env200 to make a 200-mile camper version: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5WWpqmqocagoLs I'm dithering between putting a load of tesla batteries and a tesla motor into an existing van (much cheaper, but so much work, and potentially compromised by jamming batts into an ICE chassis) or spending a fortune on something like the 100kWh e-vito that should be out any week now, and then camperising that. (I have a bigger budget than you if need be, although it'll be a shock as the last van cost 4 grand and that was the most expensive vehicle I'd ever bought :-) The diesel/electric difference varies a lot by vehicle. e.g. Renault make the Kangoo and the master in both. The premium for the kangoo is £7500. For the master it is £20,000 (for the _same_ 35kWh battery!). No idea what's going on there, but they can't be selling many master electrics in the UK at £55,000 when you can have the diesel one for £34000.

[@billyray323]

Does the cost for E nv200 also include VAT or is that added to the 24k

[@jimmygreavesjimmygreaves1099]

Useful information. Thank you. Can you repeat it for the Vauxhall Vivaro?

[@SamButement]

Hi jimmy, I’m sure the information will be close enough to use. It all depends on the price difference to start with. If they are close the electric wins, but only if it suits your driving needs.

[@cameotic]

I guess, battery condition after 6 years should be brought into attention, too.

[@SamButement]

Good point, how much capacity will be lost by then? I think old Tesla batteries hold 95% after 5 years.

[@cameotic]

Well, it depends on usage conditions. e-NV200 is not a Tesla :)

[@SamButement]

After doing more research on this it looks like, as expected Tesla have the best batteries for long term life span. The Nissan 40kwh battery seems to lose 8% capacity in the first 40,000 miles. This from one article so it’s not an average. I would be reluctant to buy an older electric Vehicle unless it had been looked after. Only charging to 80% seem to help the battery maintain a higher capacity. It’s good to know all these little tips to look after your battery. I’m looking for an electric van and so far the env200 is the only one that’s just about big enough to convert to a camper!

[@Wookey.]

@@SamButement The new high-top, long-body env-200 is a much more camper-friendly shape (although it is an ugly vehicle!) www.voltia.com/

[@mattwoodproperty]

Scrap the mot from your costs as it’s a new vehicle your comparing, also the service, a minor service at main dealer is oil your door hinges, tyre pressures and screen wash, that’s it! Just have some one you know strip your breaks every 2years or 20k miles just to make sure there not seizing up because they are used less

[@countteddy]

its a no brainer ...what a ridiculous comparison.......ive had my ENV 24kw for a year now and shes saved me over 2 grand in fuel costs alone, plus no servicing costs and so far in 17k miles shes only needed a wiper blade and a tyre.......lovely easy stress free driving even in London traffic., no noise no smells no fuss .....and she carries so much kit ...love it....an EV costs more to start with but repays you.....whereas a fossil vehicle is cheaper to buy initialy it will cost more over time to run.....

[@SamButement]

countteddy it’s great to see all these comments and how interested people are in EVs. Regarding the service charge yes it is quite high for not a lot however if I wanted to make a fair comparison I thought I should include the annual service. How many miles per year do you do?

[@countteddy]

I do 17 k a year , I thought id only do 8 or 9 but its so cheap , and so much fun to drive plus compared to my fossil vehicles its utterly reliable , no fluids to check , no overheating just get in a drive......had some scary range moments but each trip to London or Bristol etc gets easier as more chargers appear....tro be honest I used to run out of fuel more often ....I mean what is it now ? 7,00 quid a gallon ?....that gets me over 150 miles in my 24kw ....2nd .best van ive ever owned......

[@SamButement]

It’s definitely the future, I can see with your mileage, like you say you save 2k per year so in your case the ev is perfect. I’m struggling to justify the extra purchase price only because of my annual mileage of only 10k. I do plan on doing lots of camping trips so this could turn into more like 15k. What it’s your miles per kilowatt? And what’s the best range did you get with the 24khw battery? I hope to but the 2018 40khw second hand.

[@marcbruneel1858]

You want to use the van as a camper. When so, you've also have to compare the camper costs: in a diesel you've need a cargas system for heating and cooking. In the electric version with induction cooking and a microwave and the already on board heating it's quote a difference.

[@Wookey.]

Do you have a feeling for how many miles overnight heating and cooking 'use up'? I agree that all-electric seems the way to go but I've not yet worked out how many kWh of heat a night or an evening meal take. I guess the cooking is quite small (0.5-1kWh/day?) but the heating could be quite a lot?

[@marcbruneel1858]

@@Wookey. no idea but if it's a model with a heat pump it won't be so much. I think Bjorn Neyland YT channel) dit tests with sleeping in EV's. But when you travel maybe charging and plugged in all night is the solution. Full battery in the morning.

[@Wookey.]

@@marcbruneel1858 That works for people who go to campsites and plug in. The point of travel for us is to be well away from civilisation, so overnight power is not going to be a thing. It's one reason that makes campers something of a 'worst case' for EVs: drive hundreds of miles to park in the middle of nowhere. The one pro is that one is usually not in a hurry, so stopping to charge is OK, and waiting in the sunshine for a week to run services and maybe even collect a bit of range is also plausible.

[@marcbruneel1858]

@@Wookey. a park in the middle of nowhere, I still have to find that in Europe. But traveling now is not an option.

[@Wookey.]

@@marcbruneel1858 Yeah 'getting away from it all' Europe-grade is not quite the same as the Western US or Canada or Kazakstan, but there are still nice quiet spots you can drive to, and every so often you find somewhere sublime.

[@wickedleeloopy2115]

The average person keeps there car for approximately 5-7 years. So I see no real world advantage buying electric. The purchase prices must come down.

[@markthompson2466]

Any one who buys an electric at this point in time is either and Eco Snob...or a lab rat for the industry

[@countteddy]

service on an EV,,?,,their taking the piss.....check the washer fluid 184 quid ???

[@SamButement]

Yeah it’s a lot, how much do you pay for a service? What do they do?