A 2020s Guide to the Leading Electric Vans

With the government planning to ban the sale of all new petrol and diesel cars and vans in 2030, the future of transport is certainly looking electric. As such, if you’re on the market for a new van, then now is the time to consider switching to electric.

Not only will you be setting yourself up for the future, but you’ll also be saving yourself money in the long run and will get to enjoy the plethora of benefits driving electric has to offer. If you’ve not yet explored the electric van market then fear not, because we’ve put together this helpful guide for you, discussing the leading electric vans that have been released this decade.

Read on below to find your perfect match.

What are the Benefits of Driving an Electric Van?

We’re sure you’ve heard many people raving about electric vehicles and how they’re a revelation to the world of domestic transport, but what actually are the benefits they have to offer?

As van specialists, we can confirm that such claims aren’t actually unfounded, with there being benefits both to the environment and to you if you were to drive an electric van.

Firstly, there is the obvious benefit of electric vehicles being more environmentally friendly than their petrol and diesel counterparts. Whilst petrol and diesel vehicles release harmful fumes into the atmosphere that contribute to global warming, electric vehicles have zero tailpipe emissions, which leads us on to another benefit.

Since they have no tailpipe emissions, electric vehicles are exempt from clean air zone charges – of which there are many now being introduced in major cities all across the UK. Considering that many standard vans operate on diesel, this has the potential to save you a lot of money depending on where you live and where you often drive for work.

Speaking of saving money, electric vehicles also work out as being cheaper to run long-term. This is because the cost of electricity tends to be lower than that of petrol or diesel – especially if you were to charge it at home overnight when tariffs are lower.

Electric vehicles also offer you an enhanced driving experience. Their use of an electric motor over a traditional internal combustion engine significantly reduces noise pollution, making them much quieter to drive, whilst their responsive acceleration and regenerative braking make for a smoother drive.

The Leading Large, Medium & Small Vans in the Electric Sector

If you’re liking the sound of an electric van, but aren’t sure what’s on the market and which are the leading models, then we’ve got you covered. Below is our list of the top small, medium and large electric vans of the 2020s so far.

Renault Kangoo E-Tech

Starting small with the Renault Kangoo E-Tech, this van has been regularly updated since it was first introduced back in 2012 as the Kangoo Z.E. It offers one of the best driving ranges you can get with a small electric van compared to rivals, retaining a driving range of up to 186 miles on a full charge.

As for other aspects of its driving performance, the Kangoo E-Tech provides 245Nm of torque, allowing it to reach 0-62mph in a pretty nippy 11.6 seconds. Its top speed is capped at 81mph in order to save power, but this is still more than fast enough to drive on the motorway with ease.

As for the interior, the cabin space is simply functional yet tastefully modern and the EV elements are fully integrated, with data presented in a clear, easy to understand manner on the instrument cluster. There is also an eight inch touchscreen infotainment display, allowing for clear navigation, mobile connection and wireless calls.

Toyota Proace Electric

Moving on to medium vans, the Toyota Proace Electric is certainly one of the stronger contenders in this category. Built for Toyota by manufacturers Stellantis, the Proace Electric is the same model as the Vauxhall Vivaro-e, Citroen E-Dispatch and the Peugeot e-Expert – all of which were also built by Stellantis. However, there is one thing it offers that stands out above the rest – a generous warranty.

Unlike the standard three-year warranty you’d expect, Toyota offers a staggering 10-year warranty with the Proace Electric, which is a benefit that’s too good to pass up on.

You also have the choice of two separate battery options – either a 50kWh battery, which offers a range of up to 142 miles, or a slightly larger 75kWh battery, offering up to 205 miles of range. Alongside this, there is a generous payload regardless of the battery pack you opt for, with a payload rating of 1,000kg and 1,226kg respectively.

Renault Master E-Tech

Finally, time for the large vans. We’ve listed two here, as we believe the Renault Master E-Tech deserves an honourable mention. This is largely due to its high payload, which sits at 1,381kg. Not to mention the wide variety of variants available, with three length options, three height options, platform cabs and chassis cabs for conversions, meaning whatever your needs there is a Master E-Tech that can be configured for you.

We will say, however, that it does have a downside in that the instrument cluster has not been fully EV integrated and features a rather redundant, quirky design, which is why it misses out on being our top recommendation for a large electric van – as we’re about to go on to discuss.

Ford E-Transit

Ahh, the trusty Ford Transit. Just as the renowned Transit is a favourite when it comes to regular vans, the Ford E-Transit also takes the crown in our eyes when it comes to the best all round electric van.

Boasting an impressive payload and the industry best driving range, it’s no surprise that the E-Transit is regularly crowned the electric van of the year.

With a maximum range of 196 miles, the E-Transit covers the longest distance on a single charge compared to rival electric vans of large size – that could get you all that way from London to Leeds! It certainly makes a day’s work much easier as you’re less likely to need to stop and charge your van during your working hours.

As for space, there is plenty. Offering between 9.5 and 15.1m³ of cargo space in combination with a payload of up to a whopping 1,758kg, it’s fair to say that the possibilities of how to use the E-Transit van are endless.

The E-Transit also comes equipped with the latest Sync 4 infotainment system, which features a clear 12-inch central touchscreen display – projecting Ford ahead of their competitors when it comes to modern connectivity features. The traditional gearstick and handbrake have also been replaced by a rotary dial to control transmission and an electronic handbrake, freeing up space in the cabin area that allows passengers to have more leg room.

Ford has certainly ensured to build the E-Transit to the same quality as the diesel Transit, which may lead you to believe that it will be rather costly… Surprisingly, though, the E-Transit is actually much cheaper than some of its rival models – despite the fact it has more to offer.

Electric Van Sales with Vanaways

So, are you ready to make the switch to electric? If so, then Vanaways is the place to go for the latest new van deals.

Whilst electric vans work out as cheaper to run, they are often rather costly to initially purchase. Thankfully, you have options. Here at Vanaways, we offer electric vans at up to 40% off the manufacturer’s recommended retail price, which you can pay for through zero deposit, low rate financing options.

We have all of the electric vans mentioned in this guide in stock and available to buy – all brand new for 2023 and including manufacturer’s warranty – as well as a wide range of other electric vans from the leading manufacturers. On top of our excellent finance rates, we also accept part exchange and collection at no extra cost, and offer free delivery across mainland UK.

What are you waiting for? Get in touch with us today here at Vanaways to enquire about a specific van, or for assistance with finding your perfect electric van.