The best electric vans 2024

Even in their infancy a few years ago, electric vans made a great deal of sense for small businesses, local drops and light loads.

Now, as some manufacturers launch their second generation of electric vans, they’re becoming increasingly viable for more and more use cases. The latest electric vans are great to drive, especially if you’re upgrading from a rattly old diesel. They’re clean and efficient, and if charged up in the right way can reduce running costs significantly. And with advancements in battery technology, payloads are increasing all the time, removing a key compromise.

But there are still plenty of stinkers out there – so we’ve rounded up the best electric vans on sale in the UK, helping you choose the one that’s best for your business.

The best electric vans 2024

1. Ford E-Transit Custom
2. Toyota Proace City
3. Citroen e-Berlingo/Peugeot e-Partner/Vauxhall Combo Electric/Fiat E-Doblo
4. Ford E-Transit
5. Toyota Proace Electric
6. Citroen e-Dispatch/Peugeot e-Expert/Vauxhall Vivaro Electric/Fiat E-Scudo
7. Renault Kangoo E-Tech/Nissan Townstar
8. Volkswagen ID Buzz Cargo
9. Maxus eDeliver 3
10. Mercedes eSprinter

Ford E-Transit Custom

The Ford Transit Custom is our favourite diesel van, and the Ford E-Transit Custom is just as good despite the change in propulsion. A useful range of 209 miles on a full charge means longer journeys aren’t exactly off the table, either – and local deliveries are made effortless thanks to excellent performance and a relaxed, easy driving style.

The E-Transit Custom can carry over a ton for most variants, and is thoughtfully designed with things like a flat floor in the cab, a modern dash with a huge touchscreen and the option of plug sockets in the rear to let you use the traction battery to power tools.

Toyota Proace City Electric

The Proace City Electric is the same van as the Stellantis quadrilogy (below) but the reason we rank it higher is simple – aftercare. Toyota’s network of Professional centres is widespread and well-regarded, and the brand’s ‘Relax’ warranty gives you up to 10 years of coverage. That’s incredibly reassuring, especially if you’re on the fence about switching from the reliable diesel vans you know and love.

And there’s plenty to like about the van itself, too. A range of over 200 miles from most variants plus a good payload, and a comfortable interior with standard smartphone connectivity make long days on the road easy.

Citroen e-Berlingo/Peugeot e-Partner/Vauxhall Combo Electric/Fiat E-Doblo

All four of these are excellent vans, just like the Toyota above – but with just three years of warranty cover, they can’t quite measure up. However, you may have an existing fleet with one of these manufacturers, or a local dealer or service centre drawing you towards one – so whether you opt for Toyota, Citroen, Peugeot, Vauxhall or Fiat, you can be sure you’re getting a great small electric van.

Ford E-Transit

Putting electric power into a big van isn’t an easy task. Most have to compromise with a small battery, giving you decent payload but rubbish range, or a large battery that can go a long distance but is barely rated to carry a shopping bag.

The E-Transit strikes a happy medium. Yes, with a 196-mile official range you’re not going to be taking many deliveries from Surrey to Stornoway, but it’s fantastic for local deliveries and is easy as pie to drive around town thanks to the instant response of its motor. And it’s a Transit – the ultimate van, with a practical load area, loads of smart features and a nationwide network of van centres for support.

Toyota Proace Electric

As with its smaller sibling (above) the Proace Electric is the same van as the Stellantis group’s four models below – so which one you select will depend on your brand preference as well as which company offers you the best deal. As before, we recommend the Toyota above the others thanks to its superior warranty.

The van itself is comfortable to drive, with a choice of 50kWh or 75kWh batteries giving a range of 132 or 214 miles respectively. Since a recent facelift, Toyota’s also expanded the range with more trim levels and a longer wheelbase for larger loads. It’s not as capacious or as good to drive as the E-Transit Custom, though.

Citroen e-Dispatch/Peugeot e-Expert/Vauxhall Vivaro Electric/Fiat E-Scudo

Not much to say about these four vans – they’re functionally identical to the Toyota above but with their own warranties and aftercare networks.

Renault Kangoo E-Tech/Nissan Townstar

With a maximum range of up to 186 miles and a comparatively small body, the Kangoo E-Tech isn’t as capacious or as longlasting an electric van as one of the small Stellantis models (above). It’s great to drive, though, with more car-like dimensions that make it really easy to pilot around tight city streets.

It has a thoughtfully designed interior that feels a lot like a Renault passenger car from a few years ago, and it’s well-priced too. It’s a shame that some of the clever loading kit that left-hand drive models get isn’t available in the UK. Oh, and you can apply all of this to the Nissan Townstar too – it’s the same van with different badges.

Volkswagen ID Buzz Cargo

The ID Buzz Cargo isn’t a van you buy with the head. A Ford E-Transit Custom is far cheaper and can carry almost double the payload – though in the Volkswagen’s defence, it does have an excellent driving range. But what you’re buying it for is the image – the ID Buzz is a vehicle that screams ‘fun’, but without gimmickry.

It’s great to drive though the cab’s a little cramped, and some of the tech designed for use in a passenger car – like the all-touchscreen interior – can be a bit awkward in a working van. Still, if style matters to you and you don’t need to carry heavy loads, it’s a surprisingly practical choice.

Maxus eDeliver 3

If the ID Buzz is purchased with the heart, then the Maxus eDeliver 3 is purchased when the heart’s away on a week-long all-inclusive. With its anonymous design, plasticky interior and imageless badge, there’s nothing about this vehicle that will draw you in – until you look at its competitive pricing, that is.

It’s also a very practical vehicle to live with, being smaller than most medium vans like the E-Transit Custom but with a greater load space than an e-Berlingo. Maximum range is only 151 miles and there are some truly baffling design decisions – a choice of only four temperatures for the climate control, for example – but this is a cost-effective way into a surprisingly competent electric van.

Mercedes eSprinter

You’ll see a lot of Mercedes eSprinters around – they’ve become the electric vehicle of choice for many large fleets, thanks to a comprehensive aftercare package, option of a large-battery model with a superb range and an excellent interior which is a favourite among drivers.

The price is hefty – it’s the most expensive van on this list – and payloads aren’t the best among this class. But among large electric vans, if you can afford it, it’s a fantastic option.

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