Electric vans are becoming a much more serious option for UK businesses.
The range is better, the choice is improving, and the latest models are now offering proper working-van practicality without relying on diesel.
That does not mean diesel has disappeared.
For some jobs, diesel is still the better fit. But electric vans now deserve a proper look, especially if your work is local, your mileage is predictable and you can charge at home, at work or back at base.
So, should your next van be electric or diesel?
Let’s keep it practical.
Quick answer: electric or diesel?
Electric is now a realistic choice for a lot of businesses. Diesel is still useful when you need maximum flexibility with very little planning.
The right answer depends on how the van is used day to day.
Choose a new electric van if your mileage is predictable, your routes are mostly local and you have a reliable way to charge.
Choose a new diesel van if you cover long distances, tow regularly, carry heavy loads, work in rural areas or cannot rely on easy charging.
That is the basic split.
Electric van range has moved on
Range used to be one of the biggest worries with electric vans.
That has changed.
The latest electric vans now offer stated WLTP ranges that make them much easier to consider for real business use.
The Renault Master MM35 E-Tech 104kW electric van has an official WLTP combined range of up to 255 miles. For a medium wheelbase, medium roof van, that gives businesses a strong amount of stated daily range while still offering proper load space and van practicality.
The Kia PV5 Plus 89kW offers two battery options. The 52kWh version delivers an estimated WLTP electric driving range of up to 184 miles, while the larger 71kWh battery delivers an estimated WLTP range of up to 258 miles on a full charge.
The Renault Trafic E-Tech Advance 90kW uses a 90kW electric motor, equal to around 121hp, powered by a 52kWh battery. It delivers a WLTP combined range of up to 186 miles, making it a strong option for local trades, service teams, deliveries and businesses with regular daily routes.
Those figures matter.
For many businesses, the question is no longer:
“Do electric vans have enough range?”
It is:
“Which electric van gives us the right size, range, payload and finance package for the way we work?”
When electric makes sense
Electric vans are at their best when the work is fairly predictable.
That does not mean the van has to do the exact same route every day. It just means the mileage, charging and working pattern need to make sense.
Electric is a strong option if:
- Your daily mileage is fairly consistent
- Most work is local or regional
- The van can charge overnight
- The van returns to home, work or base
- You do city work or regular local deliveries
- You want lower running costs
- You want to reduce emissions
- You are planning ahead for Clean Air Zones and low-emission areas
For example, if your van usually covers 40, 60, 80 or 100 miles a day, many modern electric vans now offer plenty of stated range for that kind of work.
That is where electric becomes very attractive.
You charge while the van is parked. You start the day with range available. You avoid regular diesel stops. And for the right business, running costs can be lower and easier to control.
When diesel still makes sense
Diesel is still the better answer for some businesses.
Not because electric vans are not capable, but because some jobs are harder to electrify.
Diesel may still make more sense if:
- Your mileage changes a lot
- You do regular long-distance work
- You cannot charge at home, work or base
- You tow trailers or equipment
- You carry heavy loads
- You work in rural areas
- You need quick refuelling
- You cannot afford charging delays
For a lot of tradespeople, diesel is still practical. If the van has to go anywhere, carry anything and refuel quickly, diesel still has a place.
But it is no longer the automatic choice for every business.
Charging is the big question
Electric vans are not just about the vehicle. They are about the charging setup.
If you can charge at home, at your yard, at your depot or at work, electric becomes much easier to run.
The van charges while it is parked. The driver starts the day with usable range. The business has more control over fuel costs. And you are not relying on regular fuel stops.
Before choosing electric, ask:
- Can the van charge overnight?
- Can you install a charger at home or work?
- Does the van return to base?
- Will drivers take vans home?
- Will public charging be needed often?
- How will charging costs be tracked?
- Who pays for the electricity?
If you have a good charging setup, electric vans make a lot more sense.
If you do not, diesel may still be the better choice for now.
Payload still matters
Electric van range is improving, but payload still needs checking.
That is not a reason to avoid electric. It is just part of choosing the right van.
Do not just look at range. Look at what the van can actually carry.
This matters for builders, landscapers, delivery businesses, mobile engineers and anyone carrying tools, stock, kit or materials.
Think about:
- Tools
- Racking
- Materials
- Driver and passengers
- Equipment
- Regular load weight
- Occasional heavy loads
If your loads are bulky but fairly light, electric vans can be a great fit.
If your loads are dense and heavy, check the payload properly before committing.
The same rule applies to diesel vans too. A big van does not automatically mean huge usable payload.
Range is a benchmark
The official WLTP range gives you a standard way to compare electric vans.
That is useful, but day-to-day range will still depend on how the van is used. Payload, weather, motorway driving, heating, driving style and route type can all make a difference.
That is normal.
The key is choosing a van with enough stated range for your working day, plus a sensible buffer.
If your van usually covers local routes and returns to base, modern electric van ranges give you a strong starting point.
If you regularly push high mileage every day, you need to plan more carefully.
Running costs: electricity vs diesel
Electric vans can be cheaper to run, especially if you charge at home, at work or on a good business tariff.
Electricity can cost less per mile than diesel, and electric vans usually have fewer moving parts than diesel vans. That can help with servicing and maintenance costs over time.
The savings depend on how you charge.
Charging at base overnight is usually much better than relying on rapid public charging all the time.
With diesel, the cost is familiar. You fill up, track fuel spend and keep going.
With electric, the running cost picture can be very attractive, but the charging setup needs to be right.
Clean Air Zones and city work
If your van regularly goes into cities, electric has another clear advantage.
Clean Air Zones, low-emission rules and local restrictions can make electric vans a very sensible choice for some businesses.
That matters for:
- City deliveries
- Local service businesses
- Contractors working in urban areas
- Multi-drop drivers
- Fleet operators
- Businesses wanting to future-proof their vehicles
Modern diesel vans are still useful and much cleaner than older diesel vans.
But if you spend a lot of time in city centres, electric is worth serious consideration.
Finance: monthly payment is not the whole story
The cheapest monthly payment is not always the best deal.
That applies to both electric and diesel.
With electric, you need to think about the full picture:
- Monthly payment
- Charging costs
- Charger installation
- Servicing
- Mileage
- Payload
- Route suitability
- Tax and business costs
- Long-term running costs
With diesel, you still need to think about:
- Fuel costs
- Servicing
- Mileage
- Clean Air Zone exposure
- Resale value
- Whole-life cost
- How long you plan to keep the van
For some businesses, an electric van may cost more per month but less to run.
For others, diesel may still be cheaper, easier and more practical overall.
That is why it is worth comparing the full cost, not just the headline price.
A few practical examples
Electric can work well for a local electrician, plumber, mobile cleaner, florist, delivery business, facilities team or service engineer with regular daily mileage and access to charging.
It can also work well for fleets that want to electrify gradually. You do not have to switch every vehicle at once. Start with the vans that are easiest to electrify.
That usually means vehicles with predictable routes, lower daily mileage and reliable overnight charging.
Diesel may still be better for a builder towing equipment, a rural trade business covering unpredictable distances, or a van that does long motorway runs with heavy loads.
Again, it comes back to the job.
Quick checklist before choosing
Before deciding between electric and diesel, ask yourself:
- How many miles does the van do each day?
- Is that mileage predictable?
- Can the van charge overnight?
- Can you install a charger at home, work or depot?
- What payload do you need?
- Do you tow?
- Do you work in cities or Clean Air Zones?
- Do drivers take vans home?
- How long will you keep the van?
- Are you comparing monthly cost or total running cost?
If the answers point towards predictable mileage and reliable charging, electric deserves serious consideration.
If the answers point towards heavy loads, towing, long-distance work and limited charging, diesel may still be the better fit.
Current new van options to consider
If electric looks like it could work for your business, we can help you compare current new electric van deals.
Current options to consider:
Renault Master MM35 E-Tech 104kW Advance electric van
A strong larger electric van option with an official WLTP combined range of up to 255 miles. Good for businesses that want electric without giving up proper van practicality.
View Renault Master E-Tech deals
Kia PV5 Plus 89kW electric van
A modern electric van with two battery options. The 52kWh version offers an estimated WLTP range of up to 184 miles, while the 71kWh version offers an estimated WLTP range of up to 258 miles.
View Kia PV5 deals
Renault Trafic E-Tech Advance 90kW electric van
A practical medium electric van with a 52kWh battery and WLTP combined range of up to 186 miles. A strong fit for local trades, service teams, deliveries and businesses with regular daily routes.
View Renault Trafic E-Tech deals
If diesel is still the better fit, we can help with that too.
A good deal is not just the lowest monthly payment. It is the van that actually fits the job.
Speak to Van Broker UK
Not sure whether your next van should be electric or diesel?
Tell us how you use it.
Mileage, payload, charging, routes, finance, delivery times, the lot.
We’ll help you compare the options properly and find a new van that fits the way your business actually works.
No guesswork. No pressure to go electric if diesel suits you better.
Just practical advice, clear options and a good deal on the right van. Call us today on 0117 235 8729.