Am I missing something about this finance plan?

Herzlos

I think he means he's a furniture builder rather than a fitter. Cabinet maker?

You can try to use an electric van if you want, but you're still going to have to factor the increased monthly costs in somehow and still make a profit.

How often do you actually need a van?

LandyAndy

neobrainless wrote: »

I've thought a hell of a lot about the benefits of electric vehicles and know a hell of a lot about them. What I don't know much about is finance - hence asking the question.


Herzlos - I guess I'll just have to do what I was going to do - offer reasonable rates for comparable services which happen to be provided via an electric vehicle. No skin off my nose if some people are too short-sighted to take advantage!

You don't seem to know a lot about starting a business either.

neobrainless

@ n217970 and Herzlos - Almot there - I'm definitely *not* a cabinet maker, but that more the kinda thing I mean - mirrors, coasters, bowls, guitars, etc.

I don't need a van to make things work, but it would make it a lot easier, especially in terms of income streams cause I could do 'man with van' type work as well.

And if you read my original post, you'll see that I've already calculated that I should save money on my current monthly outgoings. Which makes it a no-brainer to me - I ask the question in case there's a massive obvious factor I've missed, but seeing as so far all people have come up with is 'electric vans are bad' it seems like there isn't.

@ LandyAndy - No, this is my first attempt, but so far so good, not *too* far from heading towards consistent profit, which for not quite a full year since I started seriously trying isn't too bad.

Big_Dogg

Read this thread with interest - I'm in a similar position myself, though have been running my business for nearly ten years now.

My current thoughts are: if my motoring costs in a year are x, and I worked out I could also have a new electric van for x - what's the downside?

One this thread brought up for me - not necessarily one, if I was to carry on in my current job for another fifteen years or so. But if I was unable to work after, say, three years, then I'd risk taking a hit if I were forced to sell the van..

Anyway, I was wondering how you got on with your electric van purchase?

neobrainless

Hi, I've not bought it yet - I'm waiting for this years model to come out and the release date is still unconfirmed... Apparently should be by June!

Nathaniel_Essex

No one hires a tradesman because he drives an eco friendly car. I'm pretty sure you can buy an old van for a couple grand, if that, then upgrade once the business gets going.

NBLondon

neobrainless wrote: »

@ n217970 and Herzlos - Almot there - I'm definitely *not* a cabinet maker, but that more the kinda thing I mean - mirrors, coasters, bowls, guitars, etc.

I don't need a van to make things work, but it would make it a lot easier, especially in terms of income streams cause I could do 'man with van' type work as well.

So - you're not making enough from the artisanal stuff (even in neo hippy Bristol) so you want to do odd jobs to supplement and might need a van. If you seriously think that an eco-approach will get you extra business then a cargo-bike might be the option - there are probably electric ones too. Also useful for delivering your artisanal products. If you're starting to do craft fairs and things - hire a van when needed.

My brother-in-law is an artisanal blacksmith not far from that other hippy hangout Glastonbury. Nobody ever turned him down for driving a shabby Citroen Berlingo...