The 10 Best Electric Vans in the UK

The Transit is a van known by everyone. It’s a model which has been the go-to for all types of drivers over the decades, so converting something with such a backstory into a fully-fledged electric vehicle was always going to be a task. Fortunately, Ford is never one to shy away from a challenge – and the E-Transit was born.

It’s based on the regular diesel Transit but ditches the engine for a new electric motor and battery, which results in a range of up to 196 miles from a single charge. Plus, it can be charged at speeds of up to 115kW, meaning a 0-80 per cent top-up can be sorted in 34 minutes when you’re hooked up to a suitably rapid charger. There’s also a three-pin plug in the back, allowing you to use the van’s charge to power tools or top-up other devices.

The Stellantis group – which owns brands such as Vauxhall, Citroen and Peugeot – has taken a collective approach with its van range. It’s why the van here – the Vivaro Electric – is similar in make up to the Citroen e-Dispatch and Peugeot e-Expert, as well as the Toyota Proace Electric and Fiat e-Scudo. Because of this, you’re able to choose from a wide number of vans which offer the same thing but have slightly different styling.

With a range of up to 205 miles the Vivaro Electric certainly has plenty in the ‘tank’, while 100kW fast-charging capacity means you can take this Vauxhall’s 50kWh battery from 0-80 per cent in half an hour, or 45 minutes if you’re going for the larger 75kWh battery version.

If you’re after versatility from your next electric van, then the Fiat E-Ducato could be the model for you. It’s available in a variety of different specifications and sizes, with three lengths and three roof heights to choose from. In its largest setting, it offers up an enormous amount of space.

With a payload of 1,900kg it’s a big-hitter in the load-carrying area, too, while a 230-mile range ensures that it can still put the miles in when you need it. You can even opt for a nine-seater passenger version if you’re after true people-carrying ability. Put simply, there’s likely to be a version of the E-Ducato that’ll fit the bill.

Peugeot has been a big believer in all things electric, which is why it offers so many battery-powered versions of its cars and vans – including this, the e-Boxer. It replaces the standard diesel engine that you’d find on the ‘normal’ Boxer with a 90kW electric motor, which is linked to either a 37 or 75kWh battery. While the 154-mile range isn’t the highest here, it’s still more than enough for zipping through the city all day.

Plus, you can charge the battery via a 50kW charger to 80 per cent in around half an hour, so it’s not bad in the top-up stakes either. There are also three lengths of Boxer to choose from, though there’s just a single roof height option. A 1,150kg payload isn’t bad by any stretch, either.

The Renault Master E-Tech is a large van centred around delivering loads of spaciousness with an efficient powertrain underneath. A 52kWh battery means a modest range of up to 124 miles, but there are three wheelbases and two body sizes to choose from. Renault says that the maximum payload of the Master E-Tech is up to 1,200kg, as well.

Inside, the Master E-Tech feels a lot like the diesel version upon which it is based, so if you’re relatively new to the world of electric vans then it’s easy to feel at home quickly. There’s also a handy seven-inch infotainment screen which incorporates smartphone mirroring systems so you can quickly and easily pair your device to the car.

Maxus is quite a new brand to the UK, but this Chinese-owned firm is taking a value-focused approach to its electric vans as a way of making them more appealing to drivers who still want a battery-powered vehicle, but don’t want to pay too much.

Designed as a ‘city van’, the e-Deliver three is a mid-size model which has a range of up to 151 miles when equipped with the largest battery option available. If you want a van that’s a little bit bigger, then Maxus also offers the more spacious Deliver 9 – so there definitely are options from this brand. Opt for the largest-battery Deliver 3 and you’ll get a payload of up to 905kg, though the smaller-battery version can still take a respectable 865kg.

As we’ve touched upon, Peugeot is really pushing for electrification which is why it has joined forces with its wider Stellantis group colleagues to create the e-Expert, which shares much of its underpinnings with the Vauxhall Vivaro-e and Toyota Proace Electric. That’s no bad thing, mind you, as this is one great all-rounder electric van thanks to a decent amount of range and, most importantly, excellent versatility.

Peugeot claims that it’ll do up to 205 miles from a single charge (or 143 miles with a smaller battery option) while a clever ‘B’ mode allows you to maximise the amount of regenerative braking. Essentially, this turns the energy that you’d otherwise lose when slowing down into extra power for the batteries – lift the throttle and the van will start to slow down. It’s a little strange to begin with but, around town, you really start using it instead of the traditional brake.

Want an electric van which feels a little more ‘car-like’ in size? Step forward, the Renault Kangoo Z.E. It’s the same size and name as Renault’s much-loved MPV, but ditches the petrol or diesel engine in favour an electric motor and battery which can deliver up to 106 miles of range. Not a lot, we’ll admit, but more than enough for darts around the city.

In fact, it’s the urban environment which the Kangoo has always been targeted towards and the electric Z.E makes even more sense thanks to its zero-emissions nature. It’s available in both standard and ‘Maxi’ body sizes, too, with the latter being a better choice for drivers who need just a little extra space from this compact goods-mover.

The Mercedes Vito is one of the most popular vans about, so it was only natural that the German vehicle maker would produce an electric version. In fact, it broke new ground for the three-pronged star, being the firm’s first electric van to arrive in the UK. Needless to say, plenty of features and technology were thrown its way.

Early versions of the e-Vito delivered just 93 miles of range, but recent revisions have seen this increased to 162 miles, so if you’re after the most long-distance electric e-Vito, we’d definitely be opting for one of these models. Like others here, it simply replaces the diesel engine you’d find in the standard Vito with an electric motor, so you still get the same familiar surroundings as the ‘normal’ version but with that smooth-running battery powertrain underneath. What’s not to like?

Nissan was one of the forebears of the electric car scene with its iconic Leaf and it didn’t waste time in transferring these learnings into a battery-powered van. The result was the e-NV200 and, in typical Nissan fashion, this van’s no-nonsense approach turned it into a big hit – and one which is readily available in the used market today.

A 124-mile range is more than enough for nipping around day-to-day, while earlier versions produced before 2018 will bring a still-respectable range of up to 106 miles, produced under the older NEDC testing system. Later models can be charged to 80 per cent in around 50 minutes, or just over seven hours via a 7kW home wallbox. Unlike others here, the e-NV200 is only available in one body length but, you could argue, this makes deciding on which one is for you much easier. There is, however, a higher-roof version – though this was made by a third-party converter.