VAN drivers are going green – with millions eyeing up an electric vehicle, according to research by sustainable energy business Gridserve.
According to the study of 500 van drivers, more than half (55%) predict they will be behind the wheel of an electric vehicle within the next two years and more than eight in ten (82%) want to see more companies using environmentally friendly vans in their fleet moving forward.
The research revealed that attitudes to electric vehicles have been changing for the better among van drivers, with 70% saying that they are more likely to switch to a fully electric vehicle compared to five years ago.
Environmental consciousness could be the reason behind this with nearly nine in 10 (88%) van drivers believing that it’s vital that everyone does their best to be as environmentally friendly as possible.
Economic concerns are also a factor in the decision to switch to electric, with the average van driver believing that they could save more than £2,720 a year in fuel by moving away from petrol and diesel. Six in ten drivers (63%) also believe that making the switch could even open new opportunities to do more business with a socially conscious clientele.
As well as switching to electric vehicles, many van drivers are embracing the changing profile of the ‘white van man’, with 59% saying that they’d prefer that this name be retired in favour of a more inclusive term and one in three (32%) happy to be referred to as a ‘white van person.’
Over the last five years, many van drivers have noticed a shift in those who are behind the wheel of working vans – with 55% spotting an increase in drivers who aren’t men, moving away from the ‘White Van Man’ stereotype, and 42% have noticed more younger drivers in vans than ever before.
Sam Clarke, Chief Vehicle Officer at Gridserve, said: “It’s great that today’s van drivers are ready to make the switch to electric.”
“Van drivers are a key part of the electric road revolution and will make a huge impact as more and more switch to cleaner vehicles. Our calculations estimate that switching the UK’s fleet of vans to electric could save 15 million tonnes of CO2 every year. In London alone, 664,000 tonnes of CO2 could be saved every single year by switching all the petrol and diesel vans in the capital to electric. Beyond air quality, businesses could save a collective £2.4 million a day from Congestion Charge, too, and even more once you consider the new ULEZ expansion.”
