Switching to electric
Electrically-powered vehicles still account for a very small proportion of the Netherlands delivery fleet, according to a new report from the transport research institute Kennisinstituut voor Mobiliteitsbeleid (KiM).
In a statement issued last Thursday (12 July), KiM said that around 876,000 delivery vans are currently in operation in the Netherlands – of which just 0.3% are electric.
The report suggested that delivery companies need to see more positive role models to be encouraged to make the electric switch. They also need more information about the life-time costs of electric vehicles.
KiM found that a sticking point for many companies is the electric van’s relatively short range between charges – which is typically about 170km. However, KiM said that although the electric van’s range is shorter than that of its diesel counterpart, it would still be sufficient for most delivery vehicles being used for urban deliveries.
Click here for a link to download the full report.