26 May 2022

Why Choose an Electric or Hybrid Van Lease?

Lower running costs, less maintenance and a range of government grants make transitioning to electric affordable and convenient. Choose from electric or hybrid vans from over 10 popular manufacturers, including Citroen, Renault, Volkswagen and more.

Alongside cheap leasing deals on electric vans, charging is ever more accessible as the UK now has over 40,000 charge points. You can also utilise grants, such as the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS), to install more sockets at your premises. Plus, the Plug-In Grant offers discounts on the cost of leasing a new van.

Commercial electric van leases also come with tax benefits, such as a reduced Benefit in Kind (BiK) rate, and up to 100% VAT back. There’s also the bonus of no road tax or congestion charges, as your fleet produces zero emissions. 

Leasing an electric van is a great way to get all the benefits of electric for your business – all for a fixed monthly cost. At Leasing Options, we have a wide selection of affordable commercial vehicles. With over 30 years of experience, our team is on hand to provide expertise in finding the best electric van for your needs. At the end of your contract, just return the van, no hassle and no need to worry about deprecation costs.

Hybrid & Electric Van Government Grants

To support the switch over to electric, the government is providing a selection of grants to make leasing a van for business more affordable. The Plug-In Grant is available on brand new low emission vans through dealerships and manufacturers.

A discount is applied directly to the vehicle and adjusted accordingly for lease deals. The maximum grant is up to £1,500 and is available on selected vans (depending on vehicle eligibility). Examples of vans in the Plug-In Grant scheme include the Citroen e-Berlingo, Peugeot e-Partner, Fiat e-Ducato and Maxus eDeliver 3.

Alongside the Plug-In Grant, companies can utilise the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS). This provides a grant towards the cost of purchasing and installing charge points at your business premises. Eligible organisations can get funding for up to 40 sockets with a cap of £350 per charge point.

For more information on available grants for your business, check out our Guide To Government Grants For Electric Vans.

Popular Electric Vans

Electric Van Lease Deals From Over 10 Manufacturers

At Leasing Options, we have a range of electric van leasing deals for an affordable monthly cost.

Citroen, Peugeot and Vauxhall are top options if you’re looking for a smaller van that packs some serious storage. The models on offer include the e-Berlingo, e-Partner and Combo-e, which share similar sizes and designs. With three seats up front and up to 3.3 cubic metres of space in the back, there’s plenty of room for deliveries or work van needs. As for range capability, these models also give you up to 170 miles between charges.

Moving to the popular midsize van range includes favourites, such as the Vauxhall Vivaro-e, Toyota Proace Electric and Peugeot e-Expert. With the larger battery size, these models provide up to 205 miles of range and are available in two body lengths. Cargo space is ample for business use with up to 6.6 cubic metres, offering a similar payload to their diesel counterparts.

A top choice for companies looking for larger vans is the Fiat E-Ducato. This van is available in three body lengths and has up to 17 cubic metres of space (depending on the layout choice). The range is also impressive, with up to 224 miles between top-ups. Companies don’t have to worry too much about charging times either, as this model reaches around 80% charge between two to four hours (depending on battery size).

Another commercial lease van ideal for business use is the Maxus e-Deliver 3. The choice of batteries gives you up to 151 miles of range. Plus, with up to 6.3 cubic metres of volume in the cargo, it’s great for a variety of loads. This model is a step up from the EV80 in terms of looks and onboard tech. So, it makes for a great addition to any commercial fleet.

Popular Hybrid Vans

Hybrid & Electric Van Lease Deals from Leading Manufacturers

Hybrid vans are a great way to try out the capabilities and convenience of electric with the backup of traditional fuel for longer journeys.

A great all-rounder is the Transit Custom PHEV. The design features a compact battery which doesn’t affect the over cargo space. Plus, the 1.0 litre EcoBoost engine provides fantastic fuel economy alongside electric assistance. The range is around 35 miles before it switches over. So, if you’re making shorter journeys, you’ll still get the benefits of lower running costs. 

Business Benefits of Hybrid & Electric Van Leasing

Whether you’re looking to switch your whole fleet to electric or want an eco-friendly work van, our van lease deals make the transition affordable and simple. There’s also a range of benefits for business, including:

Lower running costs

With the price of petrol and diesel fluctuating, running a fleet of vans can be costly. However, switching to an electric van reduces overall running costs. For example, charging a Volkswagen e-Transport costs around £5. 

Reduced maintenance costs

Another saving for your business when switching to electric is on general servicing and maintenance. In short, electric vans don’t have as many moving parts, such as an engine and exhaust system, so there are fewer repair bills to worry about.

No congestion charges

If your company vans drive in and around London, your business can make big savings on congestion charges with an electric van. This is because electric vehicles don’t incur congestion and ULEZ charges, which could save you around £5,000 a year per vehicle.

Lower BiK rates

By leasing an electric van, you enjoy reduced Benefit in Kind (BiK) tax rates for your company vehicle. Current rates for zero-emissions vans are 2% (for 2022 – 2025) and 23% for hybrid vans.

No road tax

Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) or road tax is another cost to businesses each year. However, with an electric van, your company vehicles are exempt from paying, as they produce zero emissions.

If you opt for a hybrid vehicle, road tax is payable. Current rates are between £0 and £105 for the first year and £145 for each year after.

More access to rapid charge points

The network of electric charge points across the UK is growing, making it more accessible to top-up company vans while out on the road. Current rapid charge points are located in convenient locations, such as motorway service stations. Here, electric vans can access fast charge points delivering up to 80% charge in around 30 minutes.

Improved range and battery technology

Battery power and range are typically a sticking point when considering an electric van over diesel power. However, brand new electric and hybrid vans provide an impressive range for the vehicle size, with most delivering between 150 and 200 miles between top-ups.

If a fully electric van lease isn’t suitable at the moment, opt for a plug-in hybrid instead. These models provide approximately 35 miles of battery power before switching to the engine for longer journeys.

Hybrid & Electric Van Leasing FAQs

Can I lease an electric van?

Yes, leasing an electric van couldn’t be easier with our range of new, eco-friendly models. Choose either hybrid or electric and enjoy lower running costs, less maintenance and affordable monthly payments from over 10 van manufacturers.

What is the best electric van?

The best electric vans for lease include the Mercedes Benz eSprinter, Volkswagen e-Transporter and Peugeot e-Partner.

Can I lease a van for work?

Yes, business van leasing contracts are available for work vehicles. We have a wide selection of cheap van lease deals suitable for all types of company needs.

How much does it cost to charge an electric van in the UK?

The cost to charge an electric van varies depending on the model. However, as an example, charging a Volkswagen e-Transporter with an average 14p per kilowatt-hour tariff costs just over £5 for a full charge.

Are there any hybrid vans?

Yes. There is a selection of hybrid vans available, such as the Ford Transit Custom PHEV.

What’s the range of electric vans?

The range of electric vans varies between models. Some examples of popular models include:

  • Citroen e-Dispatch – up to 205 miles
  • Peugeot e-Partner – up to 170 miles
  • Vauxhall Movano-e – up to 169 miles
  • Fiat E-Ducato – up to 224 miles

* Figures shown are averages, and range capability is subject to several factors including van model, driving conditions, load weight, speed and optimum charge rates.

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