TILES are heavy – a single pallet of porcelain or ceramic tiles (for example, 600×600mm) can weigh 900-1,100kg. This has two big consequences:
- Payload, not space, is the main constraint – Many electric vans reach their legal weight limit before they’re physically full.
- Range drops sharply under load – The heavier the vehicle, the lower the real-world range, often 20-40% below the official Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) figure, which is the testing process for measuring vehicle fuel consumption and emissions. Weight, speed, hills and cold weather all reduce range. Ford UK’s E-Transit range calculator can be a useful tool. Always plan routes with a safety buffer.
The Tile Association’s Sustainability Working Group is here to help you navigate the challenges of sustainability. In this article, TTA offers advice for selecting EVs based on your requirements and charging EV fleets, explains the latest regulation changes, and provides a tile transport checklist to help you with the key considerations for moving to EVs.
If you have any questions about the information below, or if you are interested in joining TTA’s Sustainability Working Group, please do not hesitate to contact email membership@tile.org.uk or call 0300 365 8453.
