In the UK, where once-plummeting prices made electric vans an attractive option for big fleets, manufacturers now find themselves struggling to meet demand due to a lack of supply and high upfront costs.
Despite having one of the largest commercial fleets in Britain, Royal Mail has been able to make significant strides in switching to electric vans. The company's 8,000 mid-sized electric vans have helped reduce its carbon emissions from transport by half, with its micro-electric vehicles - essentially rugged golf carts - and heavy electric lorries further reducing direct emissions.
However, for most fleets, the transition to electric has not been so smooth. Cost savings are a major driver for many companies that have switched, but upfront costs remain high, making it difficult for some drivers to rely on public charging points.
To mitigate these challenges, large fleet buyers can negotiate discounts with manufacturers and install home chargers when possible. Openreach, the UK's largest commercial fleet operator, has benefited from these measures, with director of fleet Judy O'Keefe citing reliability and reduced maintenance costs as key advantages.
Despite the progress made by some major players, the UK government's zero-emission vehicle mandate is still not being met. Manufacturers have struggled to meet their targets, and the headline target for 2026 has already increased to 24% - a trajectory that industry experts argue will put pressure on manufacturers to invest in new production facilities.
Stellantis, Ford and Volkswagen are among the major van makers struggling to comply with the rules, while smaller players like Maxus continue to record significant growth. Energy companies Ovo and SSE, as well as Openreach, have expressed their desire for faster adoption of electric vans, citing both cost and environmental benefits.
Industry experts say that once-used big fleet vans will eventually enter the secondhand market, offering sole traders an affordable option for switching to electric. For those who currently drive vans, there is little appetite to switch back to diesel, with many finding electric vans easier to drive and maintain.
The UK's efforts to cut carbon emissions from transport have made electric vans a crucial part of its strategy, but the challenges facing manufacturers mean that progress will likely be slower than expected. As one industry expert noted, "It feels like another attempt by the automotive sector to slow things down," with most van makers under pressure to boost their margins and meet demand.
Despite having one of the largest commercial fleets in Britain, Royal Mail has been able to make significant strides in switching to electric vans. The company's 8,000 mid-sized electric vans have helped reduce its carbon emissions from transport by half, with its micro-electric vehicles - essentially rugged golf carts - and heavy electric lorries further reducing direct emissions.
However, for most fleets, the transition to electric has not been so smooth. Cost savings are a major driver for many companies that have switched, but upfront costs remain high, making it difficult for some drivers to rely on public charging points.
To mitigate these challenges, large fleet buyers can negotiate discounts with manufacturers and install home chargers when possible. Openreach, the UK's largest commercial fleet operator, has benefited from these measures, with director of fleet Judy O'Keefe citing reliability and reduced maintenance costs as key advantages.
Despite the progress made by some major players, the UK government's zero-emission vehicle mandate is still not being met. Manufacturers have struggled to meet their targets, and the headline target for 2026 has already increased to 24% - a trajectory that industry experts argue will put pressure on manufacturers to invest in new production facilities.
Stellantis, Ford and Volkswagen are among the major van makers struggling to comply with the rules, while smaller players like Maxus continue to record significant growth. Energy companies Ovo and SSE, as well as Openreach, have expressed their desire for faster adoption of electric vans, citing both cost and environmental benefits.
Industry experts say that once-used big fleet vans will eventually enter the secondhand market, offering sole traders an affordable option for switching to electric. For those who currently drive vans, there is little appetite to switch back to diesel, with many finding electric vans easier to drive and maintain.
The UK's efforts to cut carbon emissions from transport have made electric vans a crucial part of its strategy, but the challenges facing manufacturers mean that progress will likely be slower than expected. As one industry expert noted, "It feels like another attempt by the automotive sector to slow things down," with most van makers under pressure to boost their margins and meet demand.
I think it's crazy how fast electric vans are becoming a thing in the UK. Like, Royal Mail is already crushing it with 8k mid-sized vans 
but for other big fleets, it's like, super hard to get on board due to cost and reliability issues 
. The gov's zero-emission mandate is still being met 
... I mean, not really 
. Industry experts say used vans will become more affordable tho, which is a total game-changer for solo traders 
... it's like, a big responsibility 
[link to article about UK van maker struggles](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/dec/10/uk-fleets-electric-vans-struggle-to-meet-demand-and-targets)
. That's the kind of creative problem-solving we need more of in this industry 
.
– like, who doesn't love a good electric van on a budget? 
And I'm with industry experts on this one: we need faster adoption of electric vans for real cost and environmental benefits 
.
– we can't have them all struggling to meet targets like this 
. Let's get some solid production facilities up and running ASAP 
!
). They're also about cost savings and reliability. And yeah, I get that upfront costs are high, but maybe manufacturers could look into some more affordable options? Like, home chargers or shared charging stations? That would definitely help.
They're having a harder time meeting demand in the UK because of supply issues. Big fleets like Royal Mail are doing well with electric vans tho, they've made it easier for them with public charging points 
for some drivers, it's been easier to go electric and many appreciate the reduced emissions.
so he's been noticing how expensive electric vans r but like he's super invested in switching over ASAP cuz it's better 4 the planet 
plus he got a discount on his fleet from his manufacturer lol who knew negotiations cud b a thing? 
. We need some chill and understanding here 
.
. I mean, what's the real motive behind all this? Is it just about saving the planet or is there something fishy going on? 
I'm not buying it (pun intended) 
.
I totally get why manufacturers are struggling to keep up with demand. The prices of electric vans have dropped significantly over time, but they're still way too expensive for many fleets 
. It's no wonder some companies are turning to second-hand options or negotiating with manufacturers for discounts. But at the same time, I think it's great that Royal Mail is leading the charge on electric vans 
. And yeah, industry experts are right - the second-hand market will be a game-changer for sole traders looking to switch to electric vans 
.
it's just not fair that some companies are able to make the switch easily while others are struggling 
.
. High upfront costs are a major hurdle for many drivers 