Electric Milk Float FAQ

Alright, maybe they are not exactly “frequently asked”, but they might be the kind of questions people might ask, given the opportunity, and cover some of the problems I encountered with my own milk float.

If you have any questions not covered, please ask!

I have tried to group them into broad headings, but other than that they are in no particular order.

General Questions

Q: Why are they called "Floats"?
A: This has to be the most commonly asked question of them all! There has been much discussion on this topic on the mailing lists, I receive a steady stream of e-mails asking this question, and there was even a radio phone-in on the subject in September 2004. There are many different theories around, but the real answer is that nobody really knows. The word "float" seems to have the meaning "delivery vehicle" only when applied to milk floats and, very occasionally, coal floats. However it seems likely that the latter usage resulted from the use of the word with milk, so it would appear that the origins of this meaning of "float" just aren't known. If you know better, or if you have an interesting theory, then please tell me!

Q: Why are milk floats usually electric?
A: There are several likely reasons for this: the most commonly cited one is quietness of operation, as the doorstep milk delivery frequently occurs in the early hours of the morning, before most people are awake. However, compared with petrol or diesel engine vehicles, they are also very economical to operate under the constant “stop-start” conditions of the milk round, and directly emit virtually no pollutants into the atmosphere.

Q: How fast do they go?
A: This varies between floats, but top speed is typically around the 15 to 20mph mark.

Q: How much do they cost to run?
A: I worked this out recently for my own milk float, but to spare you the boring maths, the final answer came out to around 1p per mile, excluding maintenance costs. Batteries are the biggest single maintenance cost, and these need to be replaced every five to ten years, depending on how the vehicle is used.

Q: How far do they go on a full charge?
A: Again, this depends on the individual float as they are often built to specific customer requirements, but 60 to 80 miles per charge is typical. Charging the batteries is typically an “overnight” task, taking around 8 hours or longer.

Buying and Driving a Milk Float

Q: How much is a second-hand milk float?
A: A serviceable, second-hand milk float, with half-decent batteries, will set you back around 500 pounds. A float in good condition with good batteries may cost more than twice that. If you are in the market for a brand new float, have a look at the Manufacturers page.

Q: Where can I buy a second-hand milk float?
A: Have a look on the Buying page, or ask on the Milko mailing list. Auction sites such as eBay are also a potential source, but beware of misleading descriptions and go and give the float a thorough examination and take it for a run before bidding. You might even find a discarded milk float at a scrap yard!

Q: Do I need a special licence to drive a milk float?
A: No, a full car licence is sufficient.

Q: Can I learn to drive on a milk float?
A: Yes! If you don't yet have a full car licence, you can learn to drive and pass a test on a float; you will then receive a licence for Group l, defined as "electrically propelled vehicle (other than an invalid carriage or a vehicle in group D)". As is normal for provisional licence holders, you must be supervised by a person holding a licence for that class of vehicle; however there is an exception if you are driving "an electrically propelled vehicle with an unladen weight of 812.8kg or less built to carry one person and load", in which case you may learn solo. Thanks to Paul (linus-international) for this information.

Q: How much does it cost to tax?
A: Electric vehicles are exempt from vehicle excise duty in the UK. You will need to apply for a “tax disc” in the normal way, but you won't have to pay for it. If the float is currently off the road, you need to complete a DVLA form V10 and take it, along with a completed MOT-exemption form (see below), certificate of insurance or cover note, and your Registration Document (V5 or V5C), to the post-office.

Q: What about the London Congestion Charge?
A: As "Electrically Propelled Vehicles", milk floats are exempt from the Congestion Charge, but to qualify for the 100% discount, you must register the float as an exempt vehicle. At the time of writing, it costs 10 pounds per year to register. More information and an exemption application form can be found on the Congestion Charging web site.

Q: What about insurance?
A: My own float is insured with NFU Mutual. Another good company to try is Footman James, and many of the “enthusiast” insurers will cover milk floats – many such companies advertise regularly in classic vehicle magazines and similar publications. However, the mainstream car insurers (e.g. Swinton, Direct Line etc.) will simply laugh in your face. Premiums vary widely - I had quotes between 60 pounds and 600 pounds!

Q: Do milk floats require MoT testing?
A: No, as electric vehicles they are exempt from MoT testing. They are still legally required to be roadworthy, though, and must display a valid "tax disc". In order to obtain a disc, you must complete an MOT exemption form, DVLA reference V112 (you only need to complete Part I of the form – leave Part II blank).

Q: What if I haven’t got the Registration Document (V5 or V5C) for my float
A: You can obtain a replacement V5C from the DVLA by completing a form V62, provided you know the registration mark (number plate) and the VIN or Chassis number of the vehicle. If you purchase a vehicle without the V5 or V5C, then tick the box to say that the original document “was not given to me by the previous keeper”. If you don’t know the VIN, the DVLA can give you this over the phone if you can provide the name and address of the current registered keeper and the registration mark of the vehicle.

Q: I'm making a film/video/tv programme; Where can I borrow or hire a milk float?
A: This is a surprisingly common question, but unfortunately I don't know a good answer to it. The advice I usually give is to contact some of the milk float specialists, post a request on the mailing list or contact local dairies. There are also specialist hire companies who provide vehicles for use in such productions, some of which may be able to provide a milk float. Please let me know if you have a better answer to this.

Technical

(Please note that I am not a “techie”, so some of this may not be completely right – corrections are welcomed!)

Q: How big are the batteries?
A: Battery voltage varies from 48 volts on smaller floats, to 132 volts on large models. (More details of W+E Float voltages.) The battery packs are usually made up of a number of individual 2 volt lead-acid cells. Cell capacity ranges from 200 ampere-hours to 600 ampere-hours.

Q: How big is the motor?
A: My own milk float has a motor rated at 8.4 kilowatts, which is approximately equivalent to 11 horsepower. The rated voltage is 60v, but the battery pack is 72v, so the motor is slightly “over-run” by design.

Q: How much current does the motor take?
A: Based on measurements on my own float, which is 72 volts, the peak current draw when setting off with no load on-board (apart from two people of average build) is around 250 Amps. Continuous current while running along a flat road with no load is around 110 Amps.

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