Vauxhall finds over 90% of EV van drivers reliant on on-street charging
More than 90% of electric fleet van drivers would be reliant on using on-street public charging to charge their vehicles, according to new research by Vauxhall.
The findings documented in the brand’s Electric Van Adoption Report showed 91% of drivers would have to rely on kerbside charging and 23% of van fleet operators would be reluctant to make the transition from ICE to EV at present due to a lack of adequate on-street charging. Another issue highlighted in the Vauxhall report, was that 81% of businesses said installing EV charging operating facilities at their bases would prove difficult.
However, the findings showed a positive outlook towards electric vans, with 84% of operators asked by Vauxhall saying they currently have at least one electric van on their fleet. Of those who don’t, 90% answered that they were planning to add at least one electric van within the next year.
Moreover, 90% of businesses said that they plan to run EVs only before 2035, the year the UK Government plans to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles.
“The findings of the Vauxhall Electric Van Adoption Report highlight the growing reliance of UK businesses on residential EV charging infrastructure to make the electric transition,” said Eurig Druce, the group managing director for Stellantis UK. “As one of the UK’s oldest, established vehicle manufacturers, we aim to support British businesses to experience all the benefits that EVs offer.
“Charging at home or work is incredibly convenient, and the charging network on Britain’s major roads is improving at a very rapid pace. However, to ensure fleet operators are comfortable moving to electric, councils need to work with charge point operators to install charge points on residential roads that need it most.”
The Vauxhall Electric Van Adoption report is part of its ‘Electric Streets of Britain‘ campaign to support UK businesses and drivers wanting to make the switch from ICE to electric motoring. Vauxhall is working with councils and leading charge point operators to accelerate the UK’s on-street charging infrastructure.
Electric Streets of Britain invites drivers to register their need for on-street charging near them online. At present, more than 12,000 streets across the UK have been logged as requiring on-street charging facilities.
The start of 2025 has been positive for EV van adoption and the UK’s EV charging infrastructure as a whole. The Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT) highlighted a 1.3% growth in electric van uptake in 2024 compared to 2023, with over 75,000 now estimated to be on the road.
Moreover, Zapmap recently published findings outlining that there are now over 75,000 public EV chargers across the UK; a 32% year-on-year increase from February 2024. From February last year, there has also been a 74% rise in ultra-fast charging facilities providing 150kW worth of charge or more.
