Key considerations when choosing a van for a delivery company

Choosing the best delivery van for your business

Any delivery company will be looking to choose lease vans that are affordable, reliable, and practical for the needs of their drivers and business

When considering van leasing, it’s important to know that one size does not fit all.

As a delivery company, your vehicles will be the most important asset to your business and when it comes to choosing one, it can be challenging to decide what you might need and what you won’t.

Whether you’re looking for a delivery van to get your business started or you need a number of reliable vans for your large company, here are some considerations you’ll want to make to ensure they meet your business needs.

Carrying capacity

One of the biggest considerations you’ll need to make is how much load space you’ll need and therefore what size van will suit.

Buying a bigger van than you need will be less cost-effective, so it's worth bearing in mind what and how much your van will be carrying.

Weight is important too. Overloading your van is illegal and can quickly wear out your brakes and suspension, as well as reduce its power and fuel efficiency. So, make sure you pick the right payload for your needs.

Twin side loading doors

Will your van need twin side loading doors?

Twin side loading doors - one on either side of the van - will make the boarding and un-boarding packages and deliveries easier. If you’re delivering bulky items, you’ll need a van with easy access.

Doors on the side would also be helpful if you need to access the front of the cargo space without having to climb over everything from the back.

Also, if your van is parked on the side of a road, twin side-loading doors would be safer and more convenient. You’d be able to unload your van from either side without having to be on the road.

Good fuel economy

With many businesses being hit hard by the cost of living crisis, an economical van will be vital.

Due to the nature of a delivery business, fuel consumption will be an important factor to consider when choosing a van and will have a big impact on your financial outgoings.

The biggest influence on your real-world economy will come down to payload, driver style and weather conditions. But having an economical van with a high mpg figure will be a good place to start.

Comfort and tech

Considering your drivers are going to be spending most of the day in their van, cabin comfort will be extremely important.

Driving position, space and comfort are certainly big priorities for van manufacturers in order to provide a great working but relaxing space. Having the right technology will be important for your drivers to be kept safe, connected and entertained.

Whether it’s comfortable seats, good connectivity features, an A/C system, entertainment systems or autonomous safety aids, having a nice working environment can be more of a significant factor than it first appears when it comes to working for a delivery company.

So, ensure your vans are equipped with some creature comforts, and if they don’t come as a standard, consider upgrading to a higher trim level.

Van security

If you’re carrying valuable packages inside your delivery vans, you’ll want to prioritise van security when choosing your lease vans to ensure it has a good range of security features.

You could install electronic cargo locks which automatically lock the doors when they shut. It’s worth ensuring an alarm is fitted in your vans to reduce theft.

If you’ve got windows, it’s also worth adding tints to stop people from seeing your deliveries or a steel grille to prevent access if a window has been smashed.

Environmental impact

You’ll want to evaluate the environmental impact of your delivery vans too.

With the looming 2030 ban of internal combustion engine vehicles, more and more businesses are thinking about their carbon footprint.

Any business should explore eco-friendly options like electric van leasing or hybrid vehicles as they’ll be kind to the environment but could offer great cost savings too.

Could you consider a car-derived van?

If you don’t know already, a car-derived van is a vehicle that looks like a car from the outside but functions like a van on the inside. They only come with front seats and the rest of the cabin turns into load space.

A car-derived van offers limited space and payload, which does make them less practical for companies that make a number of large deliveries. But they’ll be suitable for transporting smaller goods.

However, they’ll have higher levels of standard equipment and comfort features. And they’re cheap to run too - thanks to them being considered commercial vehicles, you’ll benefit from van tax rates.