When companies search for new commercial vehicles they are looking
for a vehicle that is not only suitable for the task at hand but is a
good representation of their business. With so much choice in the
commercial vehicle market it can be a daunting task knowing where to
begin. Before purchasing a vehicle there are some questions that all
companies should ask themselves.
Who is driving the vehicle?
Though
holders of a full UK driving license can drive vans up to 3.5 tonnes
companies should avoid purchasing larger vehicles - unless your drivers
have previous experience in driving vans.Some employees may find the
idea of driving larger vehicles intimidating and as such may be
uncomfortable manoeuvring the vehicle around certain areas.
Where is the vehicle being driven?
The
size of the van has a great deal to do with fuel consumption as well as
manoeuvrability; both of which are significant depending on where the
vehicle is being driven. If the vehicle is typically to be used on
motorways, you need to get the most fuel efficient vehicle possible
which is still capable of carrying the loads required. Inner city vans
will benefit from being smaller enabling easier parking and access.
What loads will the vehicle be carrying?
All
vans have a maximum payload placed on them by the vehicle standards
agency in the UK and as such if you are caught carrying too much you can
be fined. If your company is used to carrying fairly typical loads in
size and weight this should be an easy question for companies to answer.
However if your company's vehicles have varied loads; purchasing the
right vehicle to adjust to your workload is of the utmost importance.
These
questions are vital to the assessment of the type of vehicle to
purchase. Once the company has considered these questions they can begin
perusing the typical styles of vans now available, typical styles
include:
Car Derived Vans
Also known
commonly as city vans, CDVs typically have a cubic space of 1.5 - 2m for
storage but are limited on payloads to an average of 500-600 KGs
limiting them to smaller jobs. The size and design of CDVs mean they
deliver excellent value for money and fuel economy.
Hi - Cubes
Although
similar in size and shape to the CDV a Hi-cube offers similar
performance in terms of manoeuvrability and fuel consumption but with
the functionality of larger vans. Due to design specifications your
average Hi-cube is capable of carrying payloads around 750 KGs and
offers up to 4m cubic space. Many Hi-cubes offer an additional side door
which makes them ideal for couriers and inner city deliveries.
Small panel
The
small panel van is the compact vehicle that many trades use for
everyday use; they offer an excellent balance between performance and
functionality. Average maximum payloads vary between 1000-1200 KGs and
offer an average of 7m cubic storage space.
Large panel
The
large panel van is the largest vehicle than can be driven on a standard
UK driving license and is suitable for a company that has to deliver
larger payloads. Typically available in three variant lengths of: short
wheel base, medium wheel base or long wheel base as well as heights of:
high roof, medium roof and low roof. Due to the varying sizes companies
are able to get the van right to their requirements.