NEWS
Here at Clarks we provide a number of Electric Vehicle (EV) aka Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) variations of conversions, such as our industry leading Clarks Welfare Vehicle and 9 Seater Crew Carrier.
Although our EV conversions* have very little negative impact on the power/range of the base vehicle there are still things you can do to get the most out of your batteries.
Precondition Your Vehicle.
While your EV van is plugged in and charging, preferable overnight, “pre-condition” your vehicle in time for your departure. This means scheduling the activation of (potentially) power hungry items such as water boilers, hand wash and cab heating, so when you are ready to depart, everything is ready to go.
Pre-conditioning is usually controlled via an app supplied by you base vehicle manufacturer e.g Ford
Plan Your Journey
No matter your destination, the most direct route will always be the most efficient use of your vehicle's battery.
Giving yourself plenty of time to get to your destination is also important, as rushing to hit a deadline, with increased speed, will diminish your range.
Planning charging stops and breaks are also integral when thinking about your journey.
Charging
With current infrastructure, motorway charging (service stations etc) can be busy or may not accommodate larger vehicles easily - charging at home, at a depot or off-motorway (e.g large pub or supermarket etc) can be a better solution.
When charging mid-journey (service station etc) it is recommended to charge to 80% capacity, as this is not only better for the life of the batteries but is significantly faster.
Plan Your Consumption
Much like preconditioning, it is always a good idea to activate items such as water boilers while charging your vehicle mid-journey. This allows auxiliary items to draw power from the grid, rather than directly from the vehicle's battery cells. Planning when and where you turn on certain items throughout your journey will also benefit your consumption - this will come over time as you become more accustomed to your electric vehicle’s performance.
Is training required to drive a commercial EV?
If you have an N2 electric conversion you require 5 hours training from a government registered body.
Is there a heater in the rear?*
We do not fit heaters to the rear of electric vehicles as we recommend heating the passenger, not the space, via our in-vehicle tested heated seats.
Is a commercial EV vehicle congestion charge exempt?
Currently all electric vehicles are congestion charge exempt.
Do I need a tachograph?
“Tachos” are exempt (on vehicles under 7,500kg) if travelling within 100km of the vehicle's registered address.
How long does it take to charge?
You should expect to wait up to 45 minutes for a 1%-80% charge, however charge time is dependent on the capacity of the charger… and size of batteries in the vehicle. Usually chargers are 50kw but you can get up to 125kw in certain locations.
If you would like to dive a little further into some of the above points, you can use the link below
*Specifically Ford E-Transit
