7 of the best electric vans present and future

Five of the best electric vans you can lease today – and two to keep your eyes peeled for

Electric vans are becoming more popular. But with so many electric vans to choose from, which one is right for you?

Electric van leasing is only going to get bigger.

The government is introducing the 2030 diesel and petrol ban, and with the need for businesses to go green to help tackle climate change, switching your van from combustion to electric is an easy win.

But in a world of acronyms, varying mileage, and different taxation, it’s easier said than done to work out which van is right for you and your business.

We’ve rounded up five of our favourite vans – plus two to watch out for – to help make the decision a little easier. Whether you’re after a small van, a last-mile van, or a cool retro-futuristic van, we’ve got the van lease deal for you.

Citroen e-Berlingo

With a payload of 800kg and an electric range of 171 miles, the Citroen e-Berlingo is a fantastic little workhorse that’ll easily replace the diesel van for most urban businesses.

Citroen have taken care when designing the van to make sure that the electrical components don’t impinge on the carrying capacity – and they’ve succeeded. It’s near-identical to its combustion engine counterpart with the same max payload, one-tonne towing capacity, and load space of up to 3.8 cubic metres.

It’s available in two lengths – M and XL – and two trims – Enterprise Pro and Driver Pro.

The e-Berlingo has a max load length of 1.8m, while the XL is great for longer loads at 2.2m, while both have the same internal height of 1.2m. And when it comes to kit, the top-of-the-range Driver Pro has all the creature comforts you’d need for a long day at work, including a multifunction steering wheel, traffic sign recognition, and 8 inch infotainment system.

For a well-built small electric van, you’d be hard pushed to find something better.

Toyota Proace Electric

The electrified version of the Proace, the Toyota Proace Electric is a fantastic panel van available in the top-selling Icon spec with a claimed range of up to 205 miles.

It comes equipped with a lot of kit, including auto lights and wipers, a 7 inch infotainment system, rear parking sensors, air conditioning, and all the driver safety features you could think of.

And when it comes to practicality it rivals the very best combustion engine medium-sized vans. Though only available in one length, that length offers you a maximum payload of one tonne, 5.3m3 of cargo space, and a through-loading chute for easy transportation of long, narrow items.

The cabin is comfortable, with three seats and plenty of storage, and the drive feels car-like, with the driving position somewhere between an SUV and a traditional van. In other words, high enough for good visibility, but not so high you feel like you’re sitting on top of the van.

It’s a cracking workhorse, and with competitive mileage that could even stretch for more rural businesses.

Nissan e-NV200

A compact van with a claimed range of 174 miles, the Nissan e-NV200 makes for a brilliant city van.

It’s exempt from the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) charge, and its smaller stature makes zipping around congested streets much easier. And with plenty of charging points available in most major cities, range anxiety will be a worry of the past.

The e-NV200 is available in different configurations, including as a cargo van, a five-seat combi van, or even as the e-NV200 Evalia people carrier. And if you select the Versatility pack, you’ll get a folding mesh bulkhead and folding passenger seat that increases the carrying length to 2.8m.

With three trims to choose from (Visia, Acenta, and Tekna), a payload of 701kg, and a cargo space of 4.2m3, it’s a fantastic option if you’re looking at switching to an electric van.

Mercedes-Benz e-Sprinter

Based on the front-wheel-drive version of the combustion engine Sprinter, the Mercedes-Benz e-Sprinter makes for a brilliant city van.

It’s designed for shorter last-mile urban deliveries, with its 95-mile claimed range reflecting this. But with an L2H2 body, 11m3 of cargo space, and a 731kg payload, it’s incredibly practical.

Offered in the mid-spec trim – Progressive – the e-Sprinter comes equipped with a generous amount of tech and safety kit, including active brake assist, attention assist, electronic stability control, and automatic headlights.

The cabin is vast, and there’s plenty of room for a driver and two passengers, with storage for everyone’s odds and ends, including dash-top trays, cup-holders, door-bins, and under-seat storage.

Vauxhall Combo Cargo-e

After the initial rush to electrify existing vans, there’s now an excellent selection of well-rounded electric LCVs – and the Vauxhall Combo Cargo-e is one of the best of the bunch.

With a 171-mile WLTP range, the same load volumes as the diesel version (3.3m3 in the L1 and 3.9m3 in the L2), and an 800kg max payload, the electric Combo is designed to entice people away from the ICE life and into the EV world.

Vauxhall are offering the Combo Cargo-e in two trims – Dynamic and Sportive – with a 5 inch touchscreen standard on the former, and a bigger 8 inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on the latter.

Both models come with cruise control, rear parking sensors, a driver-side airbag, hill start assist, and remote central locking, while the Sportive trim adds front fog lights, an electronic parking brake, and metallic paint.

Future Electric Vans

Volkswagen ID Buzz

One of the coolest looking electric vans set to hit our roads in the next year or so, the Volkswagen ID Buzz is the first van to come from VW’s ID-badged electric range.

The retro-futuristic EV was first revealed back in 2017 and has been eagerly awaited ever since. It’s not hard to see why people are excited; with clear style influences from the iconic VW Microbus, the ID Buzz offers something a little different in a market saturated with boxy white vans.

It’s going to be available in passenger and commercial variants, with the latter known as the ID Buzz Cargo. With a choice of either one or two sliding doors, and either a single upward hinging tailgate or windowless wing doors, the Buzz Cargo’s fantastic looks will be matched by its practicality.

VW says the cargo area will have a max load length of 2.2m, overall cargo space of 3.9m3, and up to six lashing eyes and a fastening rail to keep goods secure.

While the official range hasn’t been announced yet, it’s likely to be around the 250-mile mark, and the cabin houses plenty of storage and tech to keep you going on the road.

Tesla Cybertruck

First revealed in 2019, the Tesla Cybertruck shocked the automotive world with its angular stainless-steel body and futuristic utilitarian looks.

It’s not likely to be released before 2023, with Tesla’s release schedule being pushed back, but it’s already got a following, with Tesla opening reservations for orders.

Current stats suggest that the Cybertruck will be as practical as it is strange looking, with a payload of up to 1587kg and the ability to tow up to 6350kg. Elon Musk has claimed it’ll be handy off-road too, with a 406mm ground clearance, an approach angle of 35 degrees, and a departure angle of 28 degrees.

And like all Tesla’s, its current claimed range is chart-topping at a maximum of 500 miles for the top-spec model and 250 miles for the entry-level. It’ll also feature the iPad-esque 17 inch touchscreen mounted on the dash, and it’ll likely feature all Tesla’s favourite tech, from Netflix to Fart Mode.