Paul Kirby ‒ The Electric Van Man ‒ and some of his favourite things
(Picture: Paul Kirby)This week it’s “The Electric Van Man” (that’s his YouTube handle): Paul Kirby, 54, an automotive professional who provides consultancy, training and media support to the van market.
How did you first start driving electric vans?
Believe it or not, I drove my first electric van in 2004. It was a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter that had been in development already for some years. Working with a manufacturer like Mercedes often meant you got to drive things earlier than most people.
What would be your dream model of van?
Ah great question! The new VW ID Buzz Cargo is great-looking, with more than enough range and high-speed charging capability. If I were asked to have a van as my only vehicle then I guess this would have to be it. That said, there are so many great vans on the market and ultimately you have to find the van fit for the business that you need to do.
How do you find them in terms of driving, compared with petrol or diesel?
Electric vans are far simpler than those on the market with combustion engines. Not having gears means an incredibly smooth, safe and stress-free drive. Plus they are much quieter â and, as we know, noise contributes to stress. Finally, never having to go to the petrol station for nasty coffee and the smell of diesel on your shoes and hands has got to be good, too.
Are there any disadvantages?
One is that there are limitations on where you can go and what you can do with an electric van, particularly in relation to towing or transporting additional equipment in the vehicle like a fridge. While this is not impossible, it is a limitation. But the market is coming on strong with great innovations both in respect to distance and vehicle operation, so these limitations shouldn’t be around for long.
My business, EV Essentials (ev-essentials.com), involves consulting with businesses as to how they integrate this new mode of transport into their fleets. With clean-air zones, congestion zones and an impending ban on new petrol and diesel vehicles in 2030, it makes sense to get started now.
How do you get around the limitations?
Give things some thought! You can’t just do what you have always done. The climate emergency is exactly that, and the air quality situation is still beyond many of the legal limits around the country. Something has to change. The limitations need some thought. I always say that whatever you do you must get a van that is fit for purpose. That means if the electric van will not do the job that you absolutely need it to do then you have to stick with diesel for now. But within most businesses there is-low hanging fruit; easy places to get started with one part of your operation. You can then learn from that experience and it will help you make changes elsewhere.
How did you decide to set up a channel for electric vans on YouTube?
My YouTube channel, Electric Van Man, came from a commitment I made at COP26 (UN Climate Change Conference) to ensure that people had all the information they needed to make good decisions about electric vans. Basically, I promised to review them all and put them online for everybody to see. It’s a tough ask to keep on top of all of that, but it’s fun to do.
What makes you so passionate about electric vans?
Just like the story about giving a boy a fish and he eats for a day, and you give the boy a fishing rod and he feeds himself and his family forever. I see a van in this way. It is a tool that enables a business to complete tasks, that generates revenue, that feeds many families. Also, a van is a blank canvas, there is so much you can do with a van: it can be a fridge to carry fish or meat or sandwiches or even pharmaceuticals; a mobile workshop to take care of properties and premises; even an ambulance. The possibilities are endless.
For more advice on switching to an electric vehicle see standard.co.uk/plugitin
