Skip to main content
Electric car and van advice for SMEs

Electric vans

Although electric vans may have a higher upfront cost compared to similar diesel models, they can save you money on fuel, maintenance and tax, as well as significantly reduce your fleet’s carbon and nitrogen dioxide emissions.

Our video series outlines the main benefits of using them for your business, including the types of vans available, how to drive electric, how to charge and some options for van conversions.

Should I get an electric van for my business?

Before you make the switch, you’ll need to know how far they’re being driven and how long they spend parked. Some vans can be limited in terms of payload, so understanding the maximum weight you’ll need to transport is also important.

Electric vans can be cheaper to run due to the lower cost of electricity compared to diesel or petrol. The higher the daily mileage covered, the more savings you’ll make.

However, you’ll need to account for time spent charging where daily mileage exceeds the van’s maximum single charge range. You can top up at any public EV chargepoint or at your business chargepoint if close by.

How much do electric vans cost?

The cost varies depending on the make, model and battery range. They generally cost more than their although you can purchase second hand to significantly reduce the initial upfront cost.

How long do electric vans take to charge?

Charging times will vary depending on the model of your van, its battery, and type of chargepoint used. Find out more about charging electric vehicles.

While charging costs are cheaper than refuelling with petrol or diesel, rapid charging, for example, at motorway service stations, can be more expensive.

What’s the range of an electric van?

The range of an electric vehicle varies depending on the make, model and payload. Most battery electric vans have a real-world range of over 200 miles on a full charge.

There are several things you can do to increase the range of your EV. Find out more about EV batteries.

Financial support

Electric van loan for businesses

If you’re business operates in Scotland, you could be eligible for an interest-free loan to help you purchase a new or used electric van. The loan is repayable over six years and can be used to purchase:

  • new electric vans costing £40,000 or less – with a maximum loan amount of £40,000.
  • used electric vans costing £30,000 or less – with a maximum loan amount of £30,000.

Find out if you’re eligible for the loan.

Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) plug-in van grant

The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) plug-in van grant will pay for 35% of the purchase price of new vehicles if they are:

  • up to £2,500 for vans less than 2.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight,
  • up to £5,000 for vans 2.5 tonnes to 4.2 tonnes gross vehicle weight

They must also have CO2 emissions of less than 50g/km and be able to travel at least 60 miles without any emissions.

Vans in the medium category below are eligible for the same maximum grant amount as those in the large category, £5,000.

Find out if you’re eligible for the plug-in van grant.

Last updated: 19 June 2025