CABRATS REVIEWS
Electric Vans
The future of commercial driving. Reviews, range tests, and real-world costs.
FIND YOUR ELECTRIC VAN
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HOW WE RATE
Review Categories
Every electric van is rated across five key areas that matter most to professional drivers going electric.
Range Accuracy
How close does the real-world range match the manufacturer claim? Summer and winter performance, loaded and unloaded.
Charging Speed
Maximum DC rapid charging rate, AC charging options, and how long it actually takes from 10% to 80%.
Running Costs
Electricity costs per mile, servicing intervals, tyre wear, insurance brackets, and total cost of ownership vs diesel.
Payload
Usable payload capacity after battery weight. Load volume, cargo area dimensions, and practical load space.
Build Quality
Interior fit and finish, panel gaps, rattles, electronics reliability, and how well it holds up to daily commercial use.
TOP RATED
Electric Van Reviews
The most popular electric vans on UK roads, reviewed by the drivers who use them every day.
Popular
Ford E-Transit 350
Large Van | 68 kWh Battery
⚡ 115 kW DC charging
“The electric Transit everyone was waiting for. Proper payload, familiar layout. If you already know the Transit, you’ll feel right at home. Torque off the line is brilliant for city work.”
12 years driving
Top Rated
Mercedes eSprinter
Large Van | 113 kWh Battery
⚡ 115 kW DC charging
“Class-leading range. Mercedes quality. Premium price but TCO works out. The 248-mile range means you genuinely don’t worry about charging on most days. Best electric van you can buy right now.”
9 years driving
New Model
VW ID. Buzz Cargo
Medium Van | 77 kWh Battery
⚡ 170 kW DC charging
“Head-turner with substance. Great for brand image. Cargo space could be bigger but for lighter loads and client-facing work, nothing beats the impression this thing makes. Fastest charging in class too.”
6 years driving
Vauxhall Vivaro-e
Medium Van | 75 kWh Battery
⚡ 100 kW DC charging
“Excellent all-rounder. Competitive pricing. Real-world range closer to 160-170 in winter though, so plan accordingly. Stellantis platform shared with Dispatch and e-Expert means parts are easy to get.”
15 years driving
Citroën ë-Dispatch
Medium Van | 75 kWh Battery
⚡ 100 kW DC charging
“Same platform as Vivaro-e. Good value. Charging speed could be faster — the 100 kW DC cap is behind the competition now. But the price is right and Citroën often has the best lease deals of the three triplets.”
7 years driving
Peugeot e-Expert
Medium Van | 75 kWh Battery
⚡ 100 kW DC charging
“Triplet with Dispatch and Vivaro-e. Peugeot interior is nicest of the three — the i-Cockpit layout and digital dash feel more car-like. Same mechanicals underneath, so pick whichever dealer is closest.”
5 years driving
Best Value
Maxus eDeliver 9
Large Van | 88.5 kWh Battery
⚡ 80 kW DC charging
“Big electric van at a big discount. Build quality behind Euro rivals — some trim rattles and the infotainment is basic. But the value is unbeatable. Great if you want to go electric without the premium price tag.”
11 years driving
Nissan Townstar EV
Small Van | 44 kWh Battery
⚡ 80 kW DC charging
“Perfect small electric van. Nippy in town. Limited payload for heavier work, but for couriers and light deliveries it’s spot on. Nissan dealer network is a plus — easy to get serviced anywhere.”
4 years driving
REAL DATA
Real-World Range Tests
Manufacturer claims vs what you actually get on the road. We tested every van loaded to 50% payload capacity in real UK driving conditions.
| Electric Van | Claimed Range | Real-World (Summer) | Real-World (Winter) | Range Loss (Winter) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes eSprinter | 248 miles | 218 miles | 176 miles | -29% |
| VW ID. Buzz Cargo | 231 miles | 201 miles | 162 miles | -30% |
| Maxus eDeliver 9 | 219 miles | 182 miles | 141 miles | -36% |
| Citroën ë-Dispatch | 211 miles | 181 miles | 148 miles | -30% |
| Peugeot e-Expert | 211 miles | 179 miles | 146 miles | -31% |
| Vauxhall Vivaro-e | 205 miles | 176 miles | 143 miles | -30% |
| Ford E-Transit 350 | 196 miles | 168 miles | 134 miles | -32% |
| Nissan Townstar EV | 183 miles | 159 miles | 128 miles | -30% |
ⓘ Testing conditions: Real UK roads, mixed urban/motorway driving, 50% payload, climate control on. Summer = May-September average. Winter = November-February average. Your results will vary based on driving style, load, terrain, and temperature.
THE BUSINESS CASE
Running Cost Comparison
Electric vs diesel — where the real savings stack up over a year. Based on 20,000 miles annual mileage.
⚡ Electric Van
Based on medium electric van (e.g. Vivaro-e)
£640/year
£0/year
£0/year
£250/year
£1,400/year
£2,290
⛽ Diesel Van
Based on equivalent diesel van (e.g. Vivaro)
£3,770/year
£320/year
£3,250/year
£650/year
£1,200/year
£9,190
Annual savings with electric
Monthly savings
Lower running costs
ⓘ ULEZ figure based on daily £12.50 charge, 5 days/week for London-based drivers. Outside ULEZ zones, annual saving is approx. £3,650. Insurance may vary — electric vans can be slightly more expensive to insure due to battery value.
ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE
Charging Guide for Drivers
Everything you need to know about keeping your electric van charged and ready for work.
Home Charging
Time: 8-11 hours (full charge)
Cost: ~8p/kWh off-peak
The cheapest way to charge. Plug in overnight on an off-peak tariff (like Octopus Go or EDF GoElectric) and wake up to a full battery. Requires a dedicated home wallbox — do not rely on a 3-pin plug for daily use.
Workplace Charging
Time: 3-8 hours
Cost: Often free or subsidised
Many employers and depots are installing chargers. If your van is parked at a depot overnight or during loading, workplace charging is ideal. A 22 kW charger can add around 100 miles in 3-4 hours.
Public Rapid Charging
Time: 20-45 mins (10-80%)
Cost: 35-79p/kWh
For top-ups on the road. Most electric vans use CCS connectors for rapid charging. Motorway services, retail parks, and dedicated charging hubs are the most common locations. Costs vary hugely between networks.
Route Planning Tips
Key: Plan charging around your stops
Buffer: Keep 15-20% reserve
The best electric van drivers plan charging around existing stops — lunch breaks, loading/unloading, customer visits. Never aim to arrive at a charger with less than 15% battery.
SAVE MONEY
Government Grants & Incentives
Financial support available for businesses switching to electric vans.
Plug-in Van Grant
Up to £2,500 off the price of a new electric van. Applied automatically by the dealer at point of purchase. The van must have CO2 emissions of 0g/km and be on the government’s approved list.
- ✓ Available for small vans (up to £2,500)
- ✓ Available for large vans (up to £5,000 for N2 category)
- ✓ Applied at dealership — no paperwork for you
- ✓ Can be combined with other incentives
ⓘ Grant values and eligibility change regularly. Check gov.uk for the latest figures before purchasing.
Workplace Charging Scheme
The government covers up to 75% of the cost of buying and installing chargepoints at your workplace, capped at £350 per socket (up to 40 sockets per applicant).
- ✓ Covers chargepoint and installation costs
- ✓ Up to 40 sockets per application
- ✓ Available to businesses, charities, and public sector
- ✓ Must use an OZEV-approved installer
ⓘ Sole traders and individuals working from home should look at the EV chargepoint grant (up to £350 for home installation) instead.
Other Incentives
Electric vans benefit from multiple ongoing tax and charge exemptions that add up to significant savings year after year.
- ✓ £0 Vehicle Excise Duty (road tax)
- ✓ Exempt from London ULEZ (£12.50/day saving)
- ✓ Exempt from London Congestion Charge (£15/day saving)
- ✓ Reduced Benefit in Kind (BiK) tax for company vans
- ✓ 100% first-year capital allowances for businesses
- ✓ Exempt from most Clean Air Zone charges nationwide
YOUR OPINION MATTERS
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