The majority of British van drivers agree now that electric vans are more cost effective to run.

More than two-thirds (67%) of UK van drivers say an EV would suit their business needs and day-to-day work

More than half (52%) of commercial drivers now believe that electric van operating costs would be lower than petrol or diesel equivalents, according to a study by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles UK.

The research also found more than two-thirds (67%) of UK van drivers say an EV would suit their business needs and day-to-day work.

Almost a third (29%) of respondents cited the ULEZ expansion as the reason they intend to switch.

The survey further demonstrated that there is growing acknowledgement of the benefits of making the switch to electric. Almost three-quarters of van drivers said that reliability was no longer a reason not to buy an electric vehicle.

Yet while EVs have clearly reached a tipping point, the study shows some barriers to adoption persist – and charging time remains the number one concern around purchasing an electric van, cited by 57% of respondents.

Craig Cavanagh, national fleet manager at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, commented: “There’s no doubt that UK businesses are seriously considering when and how to make the switch to EVs. Van drivers are recognising the benefits, not only from a sustainability point of view, but also from the perspective of being more cost effective than petrol and diesel models. This is particularly true for those located in or around London, following the growth of the ULEZ zone and the Mayor of London’s scrappage scheme fund.

“Our first factory-built, all-electric van – the Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo – provides a modern mobility solution for this precise purpose, and we’re encouraged to see van drivers embracing more sustainable solutions.”

The ULEZ scrappage scheme provides financial assistance of up to £9,500 to eligible enterprises that have vehicles registered in London, helping them to replace their internal combustion engine van with a fully electric model.