ONLINE shopping and van-driving businesses helped to contribute £125.2bn to the UK economy in 2017, up 32% in five years.
That figure exceeds the GDP of nations such as Argentina, Saudi Arabia and Switzerland showing how important the van market is.
Last year vans averaged 12,400 miles around the UK, more than any other country in Europe while commercial vehicles covered 49.7bn miles on British roads.
These are among the findings of Economics of Commercial Van Usage Across Europe, a report compiled by the Centre for Economics and Business Research which calculated the value if businesses made possible by vans such as postal and courier services.
The health of the LCV business was highlighted by the fact that this year’s Commercial Vehicle Show at the Birmingham NEC sold out for the 5th successive year with more than 20,000 delegates attending.
What visitors saw was a growing movement in the LCV business towards electrification. Following the introduction of government incentives, and 24/7 Ultra Low Emissions Zones (ULEZ), many fleet managers and their drivers are exploring whether an electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle could work for them.
Ford already has a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of its popular Transit while a fully electric version is slated for launch in 2021.
The wraps came off the all-new, Luton-built Vauxhall Vivaro and Managing Director Stephen Norman revealed that a fully battery electric version will follow next year.
LDV’s EV80 features an advanced ‘pure electric power’ system with digital intelligent CVT which adjusts the torque and output power of the motor under different conditions to create a smooth driving experience.
The EV80 is one of very few Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) in the UK that can currently arrange immediate delivery of a large size EV van, EV panel van, minibus, chassis cab and crew variant, regardless of order number.
All-electric versions of the Citroën Relay and Peugeot Boxer were the surprise unveils here. These have been converted ti accommodate an electric powertrain and will arrive in the UK at the beginning of next year.
Electric vehicles also at VW with the e-Caddy, converted by German firm ABT which is expected to come to the UK in the second half of this year with a range of close to 140 miles.
ABT has also converted the e-Transporter which is slated for UK launch in the updated T6.1 generation in 2020. Two versions will be available with ranges of 129 and 250 miles.
The first all-VW developed electric van will be the e-Crafter designed to suit the driving profiles of inner-city operators who cover 40-60 miles a day. This is expected in 2021.
Volkswagen Financial Services has partnered with electric vehicle home charging provider, Pod Point, to provide charging solutions at home for customers.
Drivers who are suitable for an electric vehicle must consider that 60% of the charging is done at home, while the van is stationary – usually overnight.
The Pod Point partnership will ensure all VWFS | Fleet customers can consider an electric vehicle (EV) or plug-in hybrid (PHEV), by providing a home charge point and installation service included within the cost of their lease.
