Fleets adopting electric vans are using them over longer daily routes, according to new research.
Respondents to the 2025 Arval Mobility Observatory Barometer who already have electric vans or were planning to use them were asked whether they would cover distances of more or less than 100 miles.
The results showed a definite bias towards more intensive use. For small vans, the findings are 32% longer routes, 18% shorter; for medium vans, 30% longer, 17% shorter; and for large vans, 29% longer, 27% shorter.
John Peters, Head of Arval Mobility Observatory in the UK, said, “This question provides fascinating results that to some extent, contradict the more pessimistic commentary that has emerged in the last couple of years around electric van adoption.
“They indicate that operators are not limiting their electric van ambitions to local routes. In fact, a basic calculation suggests the majority of these vehicles are covering 25,000 or more miles a year.
“Clearly, these fleets are successfully overcoming the kind of range and payload objections that we hear about electric vans, and are using them in a similar, intensive manner as they would diesel panel vans.”
John added that comparing the new findings to 2024’s Arval Mobility Observatory Barometer showed there had even been some reductions in the percentage of fleets operating electric vans over sub-100-mile distances daily – down from 25% to 18% among small vans and 24% to 17% among medium sized vehicles.
“To an extent, these trends suggest the real-world experience of fleets over time is that electric van operation is less compromised than the general narrative suggests.”
The parent company of Lotus, Volvo, Polestar, Smart and LEVC, plans to shake up Britain’s LCV market with a new premium electric range.
Farizon (pictured above), founded in 2016, is just weeks away from UK deliveries of its flagship SV, a mid-sized van available in three sizes and with a range of different battery options.
The rear-driven SV, standing for Super Van, will be pitched against the new Volkswagen e-Transporter, the Mercedes-Benz eVito and the Ford E-Tourneo.
A few weeks ago, Kia launched its first electric van, the PV 5, and plans to introduce range of models to the UK CV-sector with capacities and body styles to challenge existing legend makers.
