“More needs to be done to help smaller operators,” says Logistics UK as VW publishes EV report

September 16, 2025

2 min read

Three quarters (75%) of UK van drivers now believe that a fully electric van would be a suitable choice for their businesses, up from 67% in 2023, according to research from Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

The report claims that EV uptake is on the rise among UK businesses, with electric light commercial vehicle (LCV) registrations increasing by more than 50% year-on-year during the year to June 2025.

The survey of 1,000 UK van drivers reveals cost effectiveness as a key factor driving EV consideration, as 62% of respondents believe that an electric van would now be cheaper to run compared with diesel or petrol alternatives.

While charging time (49%) and electric range (43%) continue to be the top concerns about making the transition, the results show that the majority (69%) of respondents without an electric van on their fleets do expect to purchase one in 2025.

This is because, according to the survey, businesses are looking for ways to make their businesses more sustainable (52%). Also cited was the improved selection of EV options available (37%), leading to greater EV consideration.

Operators still face significant challenges when transitioning to electric fleets, however, and Logistics UK – alongside partners of the Zero Emission Van Plan Campaign – has been calling on government to ensure van fleet operators have the confidence to invest in zero emission vehicles.

Logistics UK’s Senior Policy Manager Stephanie Haszczyn said: “Reports like this are encouraging and we are certainly seeing significant movemt to net zero fleets from large operators, but more needs to be done to help smaller operators.

“A simple legislative change requiring no infrastructure would be to align 4.25 tonne electric vans with 3.5 tonne diesel vans. The batteries in electric vans make them heavier than the equivalent sized diesel vans, meaning operators that make the switch are exposed to costly licensing, more expensive MOTs and drivers’ hours rules designed for HGVs.

“Parity between electric and diesel vans would help remove the regulatory barriers that are currently limiting the uptake of electric commercial vehicles.”