Significantly lower running costs
One of the major advantages of electric vans is that their running costs are considerably lower than those of internal combustion models. These savings are reflected in a number of expenditure items that are essential for any business.
Low-maintenance and cost-effective
An electric van has far fewer wear parts to manage than its internal combustion version. This mechanical simplicity translates directly into a professional's wallet. The regenerative braking even reduces wear on brake pads and discs, which means lower maintenance costs over the entire service life.
In practical terms, current costs mainly include changing tyres, checking brakes and checking electronic systems. Savings are estimated at between 20 and 30% compared with a thermal vehicle.
More affordable energy
Apart from maintenance, the cost of energy represents a major saving. For one hundred kilometres, an electric vehicle costs around €2.5, compared with €6 to €8 for a combustion engine vehicle, depending on the engine.
For a fleet of cars with an average mileage of fifteen thousand kilometres a year, savings cannot be ignored. Added to this is the fact that fossil fuel prices remain volatile and on the rise. Electric cars, on the other hand, benefit from relatively stable prices.
Companies that install their own on-site charging points can optimise these costs even further. Some of them use tricks such as recharging during off-peak hours or "off-peak charging". the installation of photovoltaic panels. This control of energy costs represents a significant competitive advantage in an uncertain economic climate.
Professional aids: decisive support in 2025
The landscape of support for the purchase of electric vehicles has changed significantly in recent months. However, in 2025, professionals will still have access to financial support schemes that make investing in electric vehicles more accessible.
Regional aid to support the transition
Despite the end of the national ecological bonus for commercial vehicles in december 2024A number of French regions and cities are maintaining specific support programmes. Many local authorities offer incentives to support businesses in their transition. For example, Paris, Reims and Strasbourg are among the cities offering direct grants for the purchase of electric LCVs (Light Commercial Vehicles). These local subsidies, combined with lower taxes, support businesses that are planning to make their fleets greener.
Each region is developing its own support policy, with amounts and conditions varying from region to region. It is therefore essential for companies to contact their local authority to find out what support is available to them.
Advantageous business taxation
Electric commercial vehicles benefit from a number of tax breaks. The most significant of these is exemption from company car tax. It eliminates an often significant annual cost for company fleets.
Unlike cars, VAT on the purchase price of commercial vehicles is generally recoverable. This further reduces the real cost of acquisition. This major tax advantage considerably improves the economic equation of the initial investment.
The Annual Incentive Tax: anticipate to optimise
La Annual Incentive Tax (TAI) applies to all French companies managing more than 100 vehicles, whether cars or light commercial vehicles. It sets a precise timetable for the greening thresholds to be met:
- 15% of low-emission vehicles by 2025
- 18% of low-emission vehicles by 2026
- 25% of low-emission vehicles in 2027
- 30% of low-emission vehicles by 2028
- 35% of low-emission vehicles in 2029
- 48% of low-emission vehicles in 2030
Companies that do not meet these targets will see their tax burden increase. On the other hand, companies that anticipate the electrification of their fleet will reduce or eliminate this tax. Electrifying your fleet therefore becomes a direct lever for tax optimisation, in addition to the lower total cost of ownership already observed for electric vehicles.
Electric TCO outperforms combustion
The Total Cost of Ownership has become the benchmark indicator for assessing the real profitability of a business vehicle. Unlike the simple purchase price, it covers all costs over the vehicle's lifetime.
Understanding TCO to make better decisions
Electric vans consume much less fuel in use. The cost per kilowatt-hour is still much lower than that of diesel or petrol, and maintenance is simplified thanks to regenerative braking and a reduced number of parts compared with a combustion van.
To calculate the TCO, you need to take into account :
- the cost of acquisition or long-term rental payments
- energy costs
- maintenance and repair costs
- insurance
- annual taxes
and deduct the estimated residual value of the vehicle. This calculation, carried out over a period of three to five years, reveals striking differences between engines.
Savings over time
There are many areas where electricity is widening the gap. Energy is the first lever. With costs divided by three or four compared with diesel or petrol, high mileage becomes an advantage rather than a budgetary constraint. Maintenance, reduced from 20 to 35%, is the second major saving lever. Last but not least, the favourable tax regime reinforces this overall economic advantage.
For professionals who are still hesitating, it's essential to carry out a personalised simulation that takes into account their actual use, their annual mileage and the specific features of their business. In most cases, the conclusion is clear: electric vehicles are more profitable from the very first years of use, with a return on investment that accelerates over time.
You would like toto electric?
Beev offers multi-brand 100% electric vehicles at the best prices, as well as recharging solutions.
Models tailored to professional needs
The range of electric commercial vehicles has matured considerably in recent years. Professionals now have access to a complete range that meets the diversity of their needs.
Autonomies that meet everyday needs
L'autonomy was a major obstacle. Today, the situation has changed radically. Depending on the manufacturer and the model, the range is generally between 200 and 300 kilometres, which means you can cover daily urban journeys and delivery rounds without any major constraints.
For professionals in the building and civil engineering sector or tradesmen who make a lot of journeys, this range is just what they need. The actual range of an electric van depends a great deal on the conditions of use: the weight of the load, the type of route, the outside temperature and the type of driving have a direct influence on consumption. Monitoring tools such as the fleet managerThese can be used to monitor consumption in real time and optimise journeys.
A complete range for all trades
Electric vans are designed to meet the same requirements as combustion-powered vehicles. They can therefore be adapted to all types of professional mission.
Compact, manoeuvrable commercial vehicles are ideal for shopkeepers, tradesmen and urban services. For the construction industry, electric vans now offer the same loading capacity as combustion-powered models. They can easily transport the materials, scaffolding and tools that are essential on a building site. The layout options remain identical: racks, shelving, modular storage units and reinforced floors can be fitted in the same way as on a conventional internal combustion van.
Our top models under €46,000
| MODÈLE | PRIX CATALOGUE (hors bonus) | AUTONOMIE WLTP | CHARGE RAPIDE (20 à 80%) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Opel Vivaro-e 75 kWh
|
44 300 €
|
330 km
|
36 min
|
|
Opel Vivaro-e 50 kWh
|
39 300 €
|
230 km
|
31 min
|
|
Citroën ë-Jumpy 75 kWh
|
45 500 €
|
330 km
|
36 min
|
|
Peugeot e-Partner 50 kWh
|
40 440 €
|
200 km
|
31 min
|
|
Citroën ë-Jumpy 50 kWh
|
40 500 €
|
230 km
|
31 min
|
Other models of electric vans are available from our catalogue.
Our advice for a successful transition to electric vehicles
Going electric means more than simply replacing combustion engine vehicles with electric models. A successful large-scale transition requires a structured strategy. Professionals need to adapt their practices while maintaining operational efficiency.
Making a precise diagnosis
This involves analysing the fleet's real needs. This involves studying journey profiles, assessing current energy consumption and operating costs, and identifying priority vehicles for electrification according to their age, TCO and carbon impact. This mapping enables a progressive conversion plan to be defined, tailored to the company's operational and budgetary constraints. It avoids sizing errors and guarantees that each electric vehicle acquired really corresponds to the needs of the business.
Supporting teams through change
Deploying a successful electric fleet also involves people. Training employees in eco-driving optimises range and reduces battery wear. Feedback from the field is essential to adjust the organisation and maximise the benefits of the transition.
Organising day-to-day recharging
For repeated short journeys and city tours, a recharge planner can be used to define the desired state of charge at the destination. Recharges can be automated, particularly during off-peak hours, to limit energy costs.
Choosing the right infrastructure for your business
The choice of a recharging infrastructure depends on three factors: the capacity of the battery charging power and actual usage requirements. For an SME with daily use, a 7.4 kW wall-mounted charging point with a recharging time of 6 to 8 hours is ideal for night-time recharging. Small fleets of two or three vehicles that rotate between sites can opt for an 11 kW charging point with a recharging time of 4 to 5 hours for greater flexibility.
As a reminder, the Annual Incentive Tax is accompanied by an increase in the number of charging points required in company car parks. A car park with 60 spaces must have at least 3 charging points.
Conclusion
In 2025, electric commercial vehicles will have taken a decisive step forward. With reduced running costs, regional subsidies and favourable tax treatment, they cover all professional needs while meeting new requirements in terms of green mobility.
The European automotive market is showing a clear shift, with the energy transition well and truly under way. Professionals are no longer mere spectators of this change: they have become major players in this transformation.
For companies looking to optimise their budgets while anticipating future regulatory constraints, the transition to electric vehicles is no longer just an environmental issue, but a rational economic decision. Investing in an electric light commercial vehicle today means guaranteed savings from the very first years of use.
See also our article Electric commercial vehicles: what are the prospects for construction and worksites?
