Vauxhall research shows rapid charging aligns with daily van use

Vauxhall has revealed that tradespeople could cover a full week’s mileage in their electric van using just the time spent taking their regular morning breaks.

The finding is based on a survey of 1,000 UK van drivers working in trades or home maintenance, most of whom stop twice weekly for 15 to 45 minutes before work – enough time to use the country’s 16,259 rapid and ultra-rapid charge points.

The Vivaro Electric, one of Vauxhall’s key models, can charge from 5–80% in 45 minutes using a 100kW charger, providing a range of up to 219 miles (WLTP).

According to the research, the average tradesperson drives 191 miles per week, meaning a single breakfast-time top-up could be sufficient.

Despite common concerns about downtime, 73% of electric van drivers surveyed already use public rapid chargers at least twice a week, and 31% of diesel and petrol van drivers cited time lost to charging as a barrier to switching.

Steve Catlin, managing director at Vauxhall, said: “Our research demonstrates how electric vans can easily fit into tradespeople’s lifestyle, whether charging from home overnight, topping up from a rapid charger during a morning breakfast break, or charging while on the job.

“With most tradespeople covering less weekly mileage than the range of a Vauxhall Vivaro Electric, they can comfortably meet their charging needs – all without losing valuable working hours.”

Vauxhall also highlighted that many vans are stationary for up to four hours a day while drivers are at jobs, offering additional opportunities to charge.