You heard it here first – an electric vehicle revolution is happening.
Global warming makes electric vehicles’ popularity rise by the day because burning fossil fuels is a significant part of atmospheric pollution.
Contractors are becoming a larger part of that movement every day. Check out why EV work vans are the next wave of sustainability efforts to save the planet.
What Is an EV Cargo Van?
Electric vehicle (EV) cargo vans are the modern transportation option for today’s workforce. They’re easy to personalize with some of the leading vehicle manufacturers. Contractors and business owners can customize things like body lengths, roof heights, and even install electric panels within the van with plugs for power tools.
Interested buyers can also consider adding voice-recognition dashboards to their EV work vans. The system recognizes when drivers want to change the destination on their GPS maps, switch songs, or make phone calls without taking their hands off the steering wheel.
Benefits of Electric Vehicles for Contractors
There are many benefits of electric vehicles for contractors that make the financial leap. Check out why they might be a smart business choice for your line of work.
They Use Less Gas, If Any
Depending on the size of an electric vehicle, it may include a hybrid fuel tank with a backup gasoline source. Contractors who regularly drive between states or for extended periods may feel better about traveling in an EV work van if they’re worried about going without charging stations.
Mostly, EV cargo vans won’t need gas at all. It’s an immense financial savings for contractors who need to afford other business expenses and additional taxes. Since self-employed contractors have to pay double their taxes for Social Security and employment taxes, every dollar saved will make life easier.
The average 2018 cargo van has a 14.5-gallon tank and costs an average of $71 to fill up. Even if you only fill the tank once a week, that’s around $284 in gas every month if gas prices stay consistently the same – which they never do.
Electric vehicles save contractors hundreds of dollars every month immediately after purchasing. Annually, they stand to save thousands on gas even if they use a hybrid tank. Either way, EV cargo vans are a significant advantage for workers on tight budgets.
They come in bigger sizes
Some independent contractors use their personal cars to meet with clients or provide their services. Civilian vans are for transporting families, not work equipment or machinery.
They won’t have the space for power tools, signage, or any other equipment a contractor might need to do their job. Using family cars also limits contractors to using their family vehicles only when their loved ones don’t need them.
Contractors are making electric vehicles popular because they’re so much bigger than what others might be using. Additional space in your EV work van allows for more organization, which minimizes annual replacement fees for lost equipment and supplies. A larger van saves money and helps contractors remain mobile without using family vehicles.
They Qualify for Tax Credits
Consider multiple brands and van models before making any purchasing decisions. You’ll want to ensure you’re about to buy an electric cargo van that qualifies for the entire tax credit, which would reduce a contractor’s federal tax bill by $7,500.
A significant tax credit like that would likely result in a tax refund in the spring, resulting in more money contractors can use to reinvest in their business or provide for themselves. It’s a financial relief that’s difficult to come by when you’re footing an expensive tax bill and estimating quarterly payments to state and federal collectors.
Other Factors Increasing Electric Vehicle Popularity
The electric vehicle revolution doesn’t rest on the shoulders of contractors alone. It’s also transforming the world due to these influencing factors.
Global Warming Is Getting Worse
The warming climate affects the entire planet – and it’s only getting worse. Experts estimate that the warmest year in human history will happen before 2026 because carbon dioxide emissions continue to rise.
People are investing in things that can combat this problem. It’s why the solar energy market grew by 43% in 2020 and the green building market will reach $103.08 million by the end of 2023. Contractors are a few of the many people joining the fight by investing in electric vehicles.
Consumers Want to Support Green Companies
People think about the environmental impact of their purchases before buying something. A recent survey found that two-thirds of Americans seek sustainable brands when they intend to make a purchase. That includes when consumers want to buy a new car or work with contractors that advertise their use of an EV work van on their websites.
Brands Are Committing to Electric Vehicles
Vehicle manufacturers are also supporting the electric vehicle revolution. Given how many people want to drive green cars, 25 brands recently announced they will produce exclusively electric vehicles within the next decade. Contractors will find EV cargo vans much more easily than each year passes.
Why Do Contractors Have the Power?
In 2021, the number of independent contractors in the US grew to 23.9 million people compared to 12.9 million in 2017. That’s a significant increase that experts expect to continue growing. People appreciate the professional freedom that comes with independent contracting work and often trust someone they can know personally rather than pay a brand to help them.
Contractors have the numbers on their side to help make electric vehicles popular. They also work independently, so they can buy an electric van anytime. Companies must buy them in large quantities, limiting their purchases or stopping them altogether.
If consumers began seeing contractors provide services with the help of EV cargo vans, the presence of electric vehicles would become much more normalized in their daily lives. More people will invest in electric cars because they won’t seem too futuristic.
Support the Electric Vehicle Revolution
Contractors can help make electric vehicles popular by connecting the general public with the idea of electric cars. While contractors benefit from their investment with tax credits, gas savings and more storage space, they’ll make the future of electric vehicles a reality that helps influence the general public to save the planet.
