Electric Vans: A Complete Guide for UK Businesses
Thinking about going electric? In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about buying, financing, and owning a new electric van including the pros and cons and what to expect with electric models available at Van Broker UK.
What Is an Electric Van?
An electric van is a commercial vehicle powered entirely by electricity, rather than by a conventional diesel or petrol engine. These vans use battery packs and electric motors to deliver zero tail-pipe emissions, and they are increasingly common among UK businesses looking to operate sustainably and cost-effectively.
Electric vans are suitable for a range of business uses—especially those involving urban deliveries, trade work or operations that return to base overnight (making charging easier).
Key Features of an Electric Van
Here are some of the characteristic features and benefits you’ll find with electric vans:
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Zero tail-pipe emissions: Because there’s no internal combustion engine, electric vans produce no CO₂ or NOₓ from the exhaust.
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Lower running and servicing costs: Electric vans tend to have fewer moving parts (no clutch, gearbox (in the traditional sense), fuel system, or exhaust system) which often leads to lower maintenance bills.
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Incentives and tax benefits: In the UK many electric vans qualify for grants from the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) such as the Plug-In Van Grant, plus benefits like exemption (or reduced) from clean-air zone charges.
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Suitable for clean zones and urban operations: Because they emit zero tail-pipe pollutants and are quieter, electric vans are especially well-suited to operations in towns, cities, and areas subject to low-emission-zone (LEZ) or ultra-low-emission-zone (ULEZ) rules.
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Charging and range considerations: Unlike conventional vans, you’ll need to think about how and where the van will be charged. Overnight charging at base, access to rapid charging, and range suitable for the daily driving profile are all important.
Common Uses for Electric Vans
Electric vans are especially well-suited to business use cases where their advantages align with operational patterns:
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Urban delivery fleets and courier services: Frequent stops, relatively short daily miles, return to base overnight for charging.
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Tradespeople working in towns/cities: Lower noise, reduced emissions, and improved brand perception.
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Logistics and distribution firms operating within clean-air zones: Avoiding zone charges or restrictions gives a financial benefit.
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Mobile service operations with predictable daily mileage and overnight base return: Enables charging routine and less range anxiety.
Dimensions, Capacity & Practical Considerations
While the body size and load-space of electric vans can often match conventional diesel equivalents, there are key practical considerations:
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Because battery packs are heavier, an electric van may have a reduced payload compared to its diesel counterpart.
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Range varies by model, load, driving conditions (especially motorway vs urban) and weather. For many vans you can expect real-world ranges in the region of 150-200 miles depending on specification and usage.
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Charging infrastructure and the type of charger (wall-box vs rapid DC) will affect how the van fits into your business operations.
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For many businesses the “typical working day” usage is key: if your van returns to base each night and has a guaranteed overnight charge, electric makes strong sense. If you’re doing long hauls and can’t guarantee regular charging, the fit may be more challenging.
Buying an Electric Van in the UK
With many cities in the UK moving strongly toward zero-emission vehicles, going electric can future-proof your operation. If your business operates in clean-air zones, does predictable daily mileage and returns to the depot overnight, then switching to an electric van makes strong sense. You’ll benefit from lower running costs and improved environmental compliance.
Explore the latest Electric vans for sale in the UK today and find the perfect vehicle to keep your business moving, with flexible finance and leasing options to suit your business such as Hire Purchase, Finance Lease, Contract Hire or Outright Purchase.
Our expert team can help you choose the right make and model for your needs, whether you’re upgrading a delivery fleet or buying your first commercial vehicle.
Top Electric Van Models in 2025 from Van Broker UK
Renault Kangoo E-Tech
The Renault Kangoo E-Tech is a zero-emission electric van that combines practical range, rapid charging, versatile load space and modern technology, ideal for UK businesses looking to future-proof their fleets.
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Offers up to 186 miles (WLTP) of range from its 45 kWh battery. Supports rapid charging at up to 75 kW DC, allowing an 80% charge in around 30–45 minutes.
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Designed for everyday business use with a load volume of up to 4.2 m³ (in the long-wheelbase version), dual sliding side doors, and a towing capacity of up to 1,500 kg.
- Packed full of modern tech - an 8-inch EASY LINK touchscreen, wireless smartphone charging and a range of advanced driver-assistance systems such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and active emergency braking.
Renault Master E-Tech
The Master E-Tech offers zero-emissions operation, long electric range, rapid charging, high payload capacity and modern connectivity - making it a strong option for UK fleets looking to electrify.
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Strong Electric Range: powered by an 87 kWh battery and offers a WLTP range of up to 285 miles.
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High Load Capacity: up to 1,625 kg and a towing capacity of around 2.5 tonnes. Practical enhancements including a side-door opening width of 1,312 mm and rear doors with 270° opening in many body variants.
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Well-equipped for modern work: equipped with a 10-inch touchscreen (OpenR Link) with wired and wireless smartphone mirroring and advanced driver-assistance systems.
Peugeot e-Expert
The Peugeot e-Expert delivers a zero-emissions solution for businesses that need a versatile van with good range. It’s a compelling choice for UK fleets moving towards electrification, especially for urban and regional operations.
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Good Battery Range: It offers a 75 kWh battery version (also a 50 kWh option) with a WLTP range of up to ~230 miles in its best configuration.
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Capacity and Size: Available in different lengths (Standard ~4.98 m and Long ~5.33 m) while keeping width and height manageable for cities and towns. Functional storage volume up to 6.6 m³ in the Long length version, with a payload of up to ~1,000 kg.
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Comfortable and Modern: Cabin tech includes multiple driving modes (Eco, Normal, Power), regenerative braking settings, smartphone mirroring (Apple CarPlay/Android Auto) and a digital display of energy flow.
Citroën ë-Dispatch
The Citroën ë-Dispatch is a fully-electric midsize van engineered for UK business use with strong range, fast charging and generous load space.
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Two battery options: 50 kWh and 75 kWh. The 75 kWh version offers up to ~231 miles WLTP range.
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Payload and practicality: Designed to match the diesel versions in terms of load space, with the electric drivetrain installed without sacrificing useful volume, ranging from approximately 5.3 m³ up to 6.6 m³ depending on body length (M or XL) and configuration.
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Tech & safety: Features include a 10-inch central touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, multiple driver-assistance systems and connectivity for business use.
Ford E-Transit Custom
The E-Transit Custom is a fully electric mid-size van that retains the practicality of the Transit Custom line. Offering strong range, fast charging, flexible load access and modern tech makes it a compelling choice for UK fleets looking to electrify without compromise.
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Generous battery range: Up to 204 miles (WLTP) maximum range in its best configuration. Supports rapid DC charging up to 125 kW, enabling a 10-80% charge in roughly 39 minutes.
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Practical features for business: Towing capacity of up to 2.3 tonnes, making it capable of significant load tasks. Flat-floor cab design for walk-through access, sub-2-metre roof height option for car park access, and optional “Pro Power Onboard” up to 2.3 kW to run tools or equipment from the van.
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Modern connectivity and driver assistance: 13″ touchscreen, 5G modem, Ford Co-Pilot360 driver-assist suite, and smart telematics tools to support fleet operations.
Electric Van FAQs
Most new electric vans can travel between 100 and 200 miles on a full charge, depending on the model, battery size and driving conditions. For example, the Ford E-Transit and Renault Master E-Tech offer ranges of around 150-200 miles, while compact models like the Renault Kangoo E-Tech reach roughly 180 miles in real-world use.
Charging times depend on the charger type. A 7kW home charger takes around 6-8 hours for a full charge, while a 50kW rapid charger can boost most vans from 20% to 80% in under an hour. All electric vans we supply are compatible with UK public charging networks.
Yes, typically much cheaper. Electricity costs less per mile than diesel, and electric vans have lower servicing and maintenance costs. They're also low cost on road tax and exempt from ULEZ charges, giving major savings for city and fleet operators.
Absolutely. Electric vans deliver instant torque, giving strong pulling power even under load. Payload and towing capacity can vary slightly from diesel models, so our team will help you compare range vs. payload to find the right balance for your business.
All our new electric vans are available to buy outright, finance lease, or hire purchase, with low-rate options to suit your budget. We can also include balloon payments or minimal deposits to keep your monthly costs manageable.
Yes, every new electric van includes a manufacturer-backed battery warranty, usually 8 years or 100,000 miles, covering capacity and performance for complete peace of mind.
All of our commercial vehicles include free UK delivery. Many vans are available for quick delivery within 7-10 working days, while factory orders may take up to six months. Our team will keep you updated at every stage.
Simply browse our latest new van deals and send us an enquiry. Whether you complete our online form or call us directly, our team will guide you through the paperless process from quote to delivery.
We use live market data and trade valuation tools to offer fair, accurate prices. The more information and photos you provide, the more precise your valuation will be.
As a broker, we don’t hold physical stock for test drives, but you can visit your local dealership to view or test drive your chosen model before ordering through us.
We offer a full range of finance options: Contract Hire (BCH), Finance Lease, Hire Purchase (HP) and outright purchase. Each works differently depending on whether you want to own the vehicle or keep monthly payments low.
Absolutely. You can buy any of our new vans for outright sale at competitive prices, always below retail, with free delivery included.
No, while most of our customers are businesses, we also help private individuals find and finance their ideal van. Just tell us how you plan to use it, and we’ll tailor the options accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
All of our commercial vehicles include FREE delivery. Delivery times vary depending on the make and model you choose and current stock levels. Many vans are available for quick delivery, typically within 7 to 10 working days. For factory order vehicles, lead times can be up to six months, but our sales team will keep you updated throughout the process.
Simply browse our latest new van deals and send us your enquiry. Whether you fill out a form online or give us a call, our sales team will guide you through the paperless process from quote to order to delivery.
Yes, we accept part exchange on most vehicles. You can trade in your current van or car to reduce the cost of your new van. We will handle all the paperwork and collection as part of your deal.
We use live market data and trade valuation tools to offer a fair and accurate price for your current van. The more detail and photos you provide, the more precise your valuation will be.
As a broker, we do not hold physical stock for test drives, but you can visit your local dealership to view and test drive your chosen new van.
We offer a range of finance options including Contract Hire (BCH), Finance Lease, Hire Purchase (HP), and outright purchase. Each has different benefits depending on whether you would like to own the vehicle or keep monthly payments low.
Absolutely. If you would prefer to purchase a van without finance, we can sell new vans vans for outright sale at competitive prices, always below retail.
While most of our customers are businesses, we also help private individuals find and finance their ideal van. Let us know how you plan to use it and we will tailor the options accordingly.
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