Why Shouldn't I Drill into my E-Transit?

The all-electric E-Transit van is the commercial van segment’s answer to the growing demand for sustainable, environmentally friendly vehicles. With the commercial electric vehicle market projected to multiply by almost %1,500 by 2030 and many countries establishing an infrastructure for EV charging stations, there is a good chance that most drivers may find it beneficial to switch to an electric vehicle if they haven’t done so already. This is a process that is being made continually easier due to OEM’s offering electric versions of their mainstays and other companies opening up shop with a focus on EVs - some names you may be familiar with like Canoo or Rivian.

With the increased usage of electric vehicles, many people are switching to an E-Transit model over their previous gas powered one. While this isn’t for everyone, it can be a great option for heavily populated areas or jobs with a lot of driving in a smaller proximity. But in order to make any commercial vehicle safe, comfortable, and ready for the road, it needs an equipment upfit. With electric vehicles, the upfitting process has become a little more daunting for DIYers and upfitters, because drilling into the walls and floor, as usually done without hesitation, is advised against. But why?

It’s not that you can’t drill through the interior of the vehicle, but it is important to know the “No-Drill Zones” created by batteries. While there are actually more of these zones in traditional gas-powered Transits, it is still crucial to know your vehicle. Drilling directly into these batteries could be very dangerous and cause damage to the vehicle as well as harm to the installer.

“TAKE PRECAUTIONS WHEN UNDERTAKING DRILLING, OR ANY OTHER OPERATION…IN ORDER TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO ANY COMPONENTS UNDER THE VAN FLOOR.”

- Page 165, E-Transit Body and Mounting Manual, Ford Motor Company

If a lithium-ion battery is punctured, it could cause several types of toxic fumes to leak out, including carbon monoxide. This colourless, odourless, tasteless gas is incredibly dangerous and is reason enough to be careful when installing parts in your E-Transit. Lithium-Ion batteries can also pose a fire hazard when damaged, creating a chain reaction as the fire spreads to the vehicle’s other batteries. These dangers are why it is important to be informed about your vehicle and where it is safe to drill and install new pieces. For more information on these no-drill zones, take a look at page 163 onward in the E-Transit Body and Mounting Manual.

That’s not to say that there are no options for installing a cargo van floor into your van. Proper flooring creates a flat, driver-safe surface, a must-have for any operator. Some companies offer a no-drill option, allowing for an installation that causes no lasting damage to the vehicle and makes use of existing factory mounting points to provide a worry-free installation process.

Ranger Design offers a plywood option. Plywood has been used for a long time as the go-to flooring option for cargo vans, but newer options have emerged that make much more sense for electric vehicles.  

Here at Legend, we have a composite design, made of 75% recycled material. The van floor is 53% lighter than other flooring options, built-to-last, and requires no drilling into the van. Unlike plywood, it’s also lightweight, and resistant to moisture damage, making it a fantastic choice for any van, especially E-Transit vans. Take a look at our article “Why No Ply?” to learn more about why composite floors work better than plywood for the long term, and if you’re looking for the best option in no-drill floors for your van, Legend’s EVOLVE floor is the right choice.

Designed with E-Transit specifically in mind, this floor is lightweight and will last longer than either plywood flooring or factory mats. A unique anti-slip surface means that even when the floor is wet, both your feet and your cargo will be able to maintain grip. The flooring is also cushioned and has a soft, premium feel underfoot, meaning that you’re taking care of yourself as well as your van. Legend’s EVOLVE floor has quickly become an industry favourite for many fleets transitioning to electric vehicles.

“EVOLVE IS A TRULY SUSTAINABLE PRODUCT, CRAFTED WITH OVER 75% RECYCLED MATERIAL, WHILE PRODUCTION SCRAPS ARE RE-PURPOSED INTO OTHER VAN PROTECTION PRODUCTS.”

- Evolve Lightweight Van Floor Info Page

Understanding your vehicle and how it works is a great step in keeping yourself safe. Just as you wouldn’t want to drill into your van’s gas tank, electric vehicles should also be given dedicated carefulness when any upfitting is done, especially poking hole in the interior.

Taking care of your vehicle is something we at Legend encourage everyone to focus on. Our purpose is to “Improve the Ride for the Legends of the Road”, and we want to do that by keeping every driver safe and comfortable in their E-Transit vehicle.