Van drivers could cut fuel bills by up to 87% if they made the switch to an electric van, according to research by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.
As the price of diesel at the pumps hits £2 a litre in parts of the UK, van drivers are looking more closely at the cost of running their vehicles.
In a survey of more than 1,000 UK van drivers, more than half (58%) cite the difference between the fuel prices and the cost of charging an electric van, as a primary reason for making the switch.
The average UK diesel price has risen from about 142p-145p per litre in late 2025 to approximately 183.49p per litre by September 2026.
According to Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ research, the average van driver travels 13,190 miles each year, and in a diesel van this would cost them around £2,770 per year in fuel.
If that same driver switched to an electric van, charged at home or overnight in a depot, this would fall by 87% to £369.24 per year – a saving of £2,400.70 annually.
And, drivers are more receptive to electric vehicles than ever before: 66% of van drivers surveyed think EVs are suitable for their business and 61% plan to purchase an electric van in the next 12 months.
John Ricardo-Neto, Head of Product Planning at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said, “This research highlights that the savings that could be made on fuel are significant, impacting businesses’ bottom line; and this alongside lower servicing costs, a near silent powertrain and smoother driving experience.”
