Quiet Revolution: The advancement of electric vans

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The past decade has seen a major shift toward electric vans. Once seen as a niche option, they are now a serious contender in the commercial vehicle market. Businesses are increasingly choosing electric vans due to government incentives, lower running costs, and environmental concerns.

First-party data from our platform, Leasing.com, provides a clear picture of this transition. Just looking at February this year, compared to February last year, van leasing enquiries have increased by a huge 367%.

On the other hand, combustion engine vans have grown a fraction of electric, at just 78%. So, just how fast are Brits making the shift to electric vans, and what’s helping adoption?

Charging ahead: electric van range has improved by 38% since 2020

One reason businesses are switching to electric vans is the improvement in technology.

Over the past five years, several key advancements have made them more viable for commercial use. But to understand just how much e-vans have improved, we’ve analysed the most enquired-about electric vans for each year since 2020, and averaged their capabilities.

One thing that stood out is the electric van’s huge improvement in range. In 2020 the average electric van range was 144 miles, whereas in 2025 this stands at 198 miles - that’s 38% higher.

With this kind of mileage, you could drive from London to Manchester, or Liverpool to Milton Keynes, on a single charge.

Many electric vans now exceed 200 miles per charge, making them more practical for businesses with longer routes.

Bigger batteries and larger loads

It’s not just range that has improved for electric vans. Battery capacity has grown by 27%, from 45 to 58 kWh over the past five years. Batteries with a bigger capacity provide more power, enabling longer trips and reducing downtime.

One key thing for vans is the payload capacity - this is the maximum weight a vehicle can hold without compromising on safety. Electric vans typically have a slightly lower payload capacity than diesel vans due to the electric battery. However, since 2020, payload capacity has grown by 5%; the previous average payload capacity was 847 kg, while today it stands at 887 kg - just 36 kg less than the diesel van’s average.

A shift in perception: businesses are adapting to electric

Electric vans aren’t just improving on paper – businesses are noticing the difference in practice. Range anxiety was once a major concern, but as charging networks grow and battery performance improves, companies are more willing to make the switch.

Business enquiries for electric vans grew by a staggering 485% in the last year. However, looking at the last four years of business leasing enquiries for electric vans, demand has jumped a huge 986%.

Diesel, on the other hand, saw a 13% decrease last year. Low-emission zones (LEZs) are making diesel vans less viable for urban driving, pushing businesses toward electric vehicles.

LEZs are areas where high-emission vehicles are charged to enter, aiming to reduce pollution and improve air quality. There are currently 14 low-emission zones in the UK.

The South East has the highest number of electric vans registered, at 31,782, and the region is home to two CAZs: Oxford and Portsmouth. South West England has the second most electric vans in the UK. Like the South East, there are two CAZs in the South West: Bristol and Bath.

But with more councils considering introducing LEZs, such as St Albans, Wokingham and Sefton, this could see the adoption of electric vans increase even further.

Rapid and ultra-rapid chargers have nearly tripled since 2021

One thing that makes electric vans more accessible for businesses is charging availability and access to rapid chargers. This makes it easier for businesses to get back on the road quickly.

The number of rapid and ultra-rapid chargers in the UK have nearly tripled in just four years, growing from 5,087 at the end of 2021 to 15,109 by February 2025.

In 2024 alone, 4,353 rapid or ultra-rapid chargers were installed, 28% more than the previous year. Crucially, ultra-rapid (150kW+) chargers are becoming more common, making up 84% of new installations in 2024. Faster charging times mean businesses can get their fleets back on the road more quickly, further improving the viability of electric vans for commercial use.

What’s next for electric vans?

We spoke to Mike Fazal to unpack his predictions for the future of electric vans.

“We’re seeing strong momentum in the electric van market, but infrastructure and costs remain barriers - despite the growth in charging infrastructure that we’ve seen in recent years. The vehicle excise duty changes, which will see electric vans taxed for the first time, could also impact adoption. That said, running costs for electric vans are still considerably cheaper than ICE counterparts. Plus, advancements in range, battery size, and payload capacity are helping to close the gap,” explains Mike.

On the other hand, an upcoming change to UK driving licence rules could make it even easier for businesses to adopt electric vans.

Mike says: “Soon, your standard driving licence holder (Category B) will be able to drive zero-emission vehicles up to 4.25 tonnes, addressing a long-standing issue where electric vans were classified as HGVs due to their heavy battery weight.

“Once implemented, it will provide businesses with greater flexibility in choosing electric vans without additional licensing requirements.”

Accelerating the switch to electric vans

Despite progress, challenges remain. Charging infrastructure is still catching up to demand, and businesses with high mileage needs are looking for even faster charging solutions. The cost of entry is another sticking point – while leasing helps spread the cost, upfront prices remain higher than diesel counterparts.

Mike says: “Solid-state batteries could be a game-changer for electric vans, and are predicted to start appearing in EVs by 2027. Solid-state batteries will offer greater energy density and faster charging. Wireless charging technology is also on the horizon, with some companies already piloting this technology, so we should see it become much more commonplace in the next few years, potentially making charging more seamless for fleet operators.

“Beyond that, the rise of autonomous electric vans could further transform the market, reducing operational costs and improving logistics efficiency.

“Businesses that switch now stand to benefit from lower costs, regulatory advantages, and improved vehicle performance. The question isn’t if businesses will switch, but when.”