Why Range Matters in Real-World Work
If you’re a tradesman or small business owner making the switch to an electric van, range is one of the first things you’ll think about. While most modern electric vans comfortably cover 150–250 miles on a single charge, how you use and manage your van can make a big difference to how far it actually goes in real-world conditions.
Whether you’re making deliveries in city traffic, travelling between multiple job sites, or hauling heavy equipment, optimising your range means less downtime for charging and more productive hours on the road.
The good news? Extending the range of your electric van is mostly about habits and planning — and once you’ve built those into your daily routine, they become second nature.
Understand What Affects Electric Van Range
Before improving range, you need to know what can reduce it. Common factors include:
Driving style — Hard acceleration and heavy braking use more energy.
Load weight — Carrying heavy materials or overloading the van forces the motor to work harder.
Terrain — Hills and uneven roads increase energy use.
Temperature — Cold weather can reduce battery efficiency by 10–20%.
Speed — Motorway driving at high speeds uses more power than steady urban driving.
Use of auxiliary systems — Heating, air conditioning, and electronics all draw from the main battery.
Plan Your Routes Strategically
One of the easiest ways to maximise range is to plan routes more efficiently:
Group nearby jobs to avoid unnecessary mileage.
Use navigation tools that account for real-time traffic to prevent idling in jams.
Plan stops where rapid chargers are available if needed — even if you don’t plan to use them, it’s good to have a backup.
For tradesmen, this might mean arranging your day so the farthest job is either first (to travel with a full charge) or last (if you can charge at your destination).
Drive Smoothly and Consistently
Electric vans are at their most efficient when driven smoothly:
Accelerate gradually — Avoid flooring it unless necessary.
Use regenerative braking — Anticipate stops and lift off the accelerator to slow the van before braking.
Maintain steady speeds — Frequent speed changes waste energy.
Think of it like carrying a heavy ladder — it’s easier to keep moving at a steady pace than to keep stopping and starting.
Manage Your Payload Wisely
Every extra kilogram in your van requires more energy to move.
Remove unnecessary tools, materials, or seasonal kit from the van.
Consider lightweight racking systems to reduce the empty vehicle weight.
For delivery drivers, plan drop-offs so the heaviest loads are delivered first.
Even modest weight reductions can add a few extra miles to your daily range — and over time, those miles add up.
Precondition Your Van While Plugged In
Preconditioning means heating or cooling the cabin and battery while the van is still plugged in, so it draws power from the mains instead of the battery.
In cold weather, this can:
Improve battery efficiency
Reduce the need for energy-hungry cabin heating while driving
Ensure you start your day with a comfortable working environment
Many electric vans allow you to schedule preconditioning through an app or dashboard menu.
Use Eco Mode When Possible
Most electric vans have an Eco driving mode that reduces power output slightly, optimises throttle response, and limits top speed to save energy.
While you might not want it on for all driving (especially when carrying heavy loads), it’s ideal for:
Urban deliveries with frequent stops
Light-load days where maximum power isn’t necessary
Any route where extending range is more important than acceleration
Be Smart About Heating and Cooling
Heating and air conditioning use significant battery power, especially in extreme weather.
Use heated seats and steering wheel instead of heating the entire cabin.
Dress for the weather so you can keep climate control settings moderate.
On hot days, use fan-only mode or partially open windows at low speeds to save energy (close them at high speeds to reduce drag).
Keep Your Tyres in Check
Under-inflated tyres create more rolling resistance, which reduces range.
Check tyre pressures at least once a month, ideally when tyres are cold.
Keep them inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended PSI (found on the driver’s door frame or in the manual).
Well-maintained tyres also improve safety and handling, especially when carrying heavy loads.
Take Advantage of Regenerative Braking
Regenerative braking recaptures energy when you slow down, sending it back into the battery.
To make the most of it:
Anticipate traffic lights and junctions early
Coast towards stops instead of braking hard at the last moment
Use regenerative braking settings that match your route — stronger regen is best in stop-start city traffic
Monitor Your Driving with Onboard Tools
Most electric vans have real-time energy use displays and trip reports. Monitoring these can show:
How much energy your driving style uses
Which routes are most efficient
The effect of heating, load, or speed on range
Use this feedback to fine-tune your habits and challenge yourself (or your drivers) to improve efficiency.
Charge Smart
While rapid charging is great for topping up quickly, it’s most efficient to:
Charge overnight at home or your business premises on an off-peak tariff
Avoid charging to 100% unless you need the full range (batteries are most efficient between ~20–80% state of charge)
Keep your van plugged in during downtime so you can precondition the cabin without draining the battery
Think Seasonally
In winter:
Precondition while plugged in
Use heated seats instead of cabin heating
Check tyre pressures more often (cold air reduces PSI)
In summer:
Park in shade to reduce cooling needs
Use ventilation before engaging full air conditioning
Avoid aggressive acceleration when the battery is hot
The Payoff: Why Range Efficiency Equals Profitability
For tradesmen and delivery businesses, every mile of range saved is one less charging stop, one less missed delivery slot, and one more job you can fit into the day.
Better range management means:
More uptime — fewer charging interruptions during working hours
Lower energy bills — using less electricity over the same mileage
Extended battery lifespan — which helps with resale value and long-term running costs
Conclusion: Small Changes, Big Gains
Maximising the range of your electric van isn’t about driving slower or making sacrifices — it’s about small, smart changes that add up over time.
By managing your load, planning efficient routes, using regenerative braking, and being strategic about climate control, you can get the most out of every charge — and keep your business running efficiently all year round.
If you want to see how an electric van handles your daily routes, loads, and driving style, book a 24-hour test drive and put it to the test in real working conditions.
Aug 10, 2025
