What are the maintenance costs of electric commercial vehicles?
Maintenance costs of electric commercial vehicles are on average 30-40% lower than those of diesel vehicles. You mainly save on regular maintenance, such as oil changes, exhaust systems and complex engine parts. However, new cost items are added, such as charging station installation and higher insurance premiums. The total cost of ownership is often more favourable due to lower energy costs and tax benefits.
What are the real energy costs of electric commercial vehicles?
Electric commercial vehicles cost about €0.04-0.06 per kilometre of electricity, compared to €0.12-0.15 per kilometre for diesel. You charge cheapest at home during off-peak hours for around €0.20 per kWh, while public fast charging can cost €0.50-0.70 per kWh.
A practical calculation example: an electric van with consumption of 20 kWh per 100 kilometres costs €4.00 per 100 kilometres when charged at home. A comparable diesel version consumes about 8 litres per 100 kilometres, which at a diesel price of €1.50 per litre comes to €12.00 per 100 kilometres.
For 30,000 kilometres a year, this means a difference of €2,400 in fuel costs. Note that public charging is more expensive. If you charge 70% at home and 30% publicly, you end up with around €1,800 savings per year. The exact cost depends on your charging behaviour, energy tariffs and the efficiency of your vehicle.
How much do you save on maintenance with an electric commercial vehicle?
With an electric company car, you save €800-1,500 per year on maintenance costs. Electric engines have far fewer moving parts, so you don't need to change oil, don't have an exhaust that can rust and less wear and tear on brakes due to regenerative braking.
The main savings are in the elimination of:
- Oil and filter changes (€200-400 per year)
- Exhaust system maintenance and repairs (€300-600 per year)
- Clutch and gearbox maintenance (€200-500 per year)
- Less brake pad replacement through regenerative braking
Electric commercial vehicles do have different maintenance needs. You still need to change tyres, check windscreen wipers and maintain the air conditioning. The 12V battery and the battery cooling system also require attention. Maintenance intervals are often longer, saving extra time and money.
What unexpected costs are involved in electric commercial vehicles?
The biggest unexpected costs are charging station installation (€1,000-3,000) and higher insurance premiums (10-20% more expensive). You also have to factor in possible battery replacement after 8-10 years, although this is becoming increasingly rare due to better battery warranties.
Other cost items you might overlook:
- Adaptations to the electrical installation for the charging station
- Higher insurance premiums due to more expensive parts
- Special winter tyres for the extra weight
- Possible higher road tax in some provinces
- Software updates that sometimes incur costs
Fortunately, subsidies are often available for charging station installation. You also get tax breaks that usually more than offset these extra costs. Many leasing companies offer packages that include the charging station, which reduces unexpected costs.
How do you calculate the total cost of ownership of an electric utility vehicle?
For an accurate TCO calculation Add up your purchase price, depreciation, insurance, maintenance, energy and taxes over the expected useful life. Subtract subsidies and tax breaks. Use a period of 4-5 years and your expected annual mileage for a realistic picture.
Step by step, this is how you calculate the TCO:
- Acquisition cost: List price minus subsidies and tax breaks
- Depreciation: purchase price minus expected residual value after period of use
- Energy costs: annual mileage × consumption × electricity price
- Maintenance costs: annual service costs and wear parts
- Insurance: annual premium × period of use
- Taxes: road tax and any other charges
Add up all costs and divide by the number of years of use. Don't forget to include financing costs if you are borrowing or leasing. Online TCO calculators help with this calculation, but always check the assumptions they use.
How Van den Hurk helps with electric commercial vehicles
We make the switch to electric driving simple and straightforward for your business. With our 60 years of experience in commercial vehicles, we help you make the right choice between buying and leasing, calculate the total cost of ownership together and ensure a worry-free transition.
Our support for electric commercial vehicles:
- Personal advice on which electric company car suits your business
- Complete TCO calculations, including all cost items
- Flexible leasing options to suit your situation
- Assistance with grant applications and tax optimisation
- Transparent prices with no hidden costs
We take the time to understand your business needs and guide you from advice to delivery. Whether you are a small sole trader or a large company with a fleet of vehicles, we have the expertise to help you save on total cost of ownership. Contact us for a no-obligation discussion on electric commercial vehicles for your situation.
