Research commissioned by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has found that van drivers in the UK could reduce their fuel bills by up to 87% by moving to an electric vehicle. The findings, drawn from a OnePoll survey of more than 1,000 UK van drivers conducted in December 2025, point to fuel pricing as the central factor shifting attitudes towards electric vans.
What the survey found
Over half of respondents - 58% - identified the gap between the cost of diesel and the cost of charging an electric van as a primary reason for considering the switch. Beyond cost, 66% of those surveyed said they believe electric vans are suitable for their business, and 61% said they plan to purchase one within the next 12 months.
How diesel prices have moved
According to the research, the average UK diesel price rose from around 142p to 145p per litre in late 2025 to about 183.49p per litre by September 2026. John Ricardo-Neto, Head of Product Planning at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, noted that fuel costs have gone up by 30% over the last year, adding to the financial pressure that many van drivers are already experiencing amid a broader rise in the cost of living.
The numbers behind annual fuel spend
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles' research puts the average annual mileage for a UK van driver at 13,190 miles. Covering that distance in a diesel van would cost about £2,770 per year in fuel. For a driver who switched to an electric van and charged at home or overnight at a depot, that same annual mileage would cost £369.24 per year - a saving of £2,400.70 per year, according to the research.
What this changes in running costs
Fuel is one of the most significant ongoing costs for any van operator, and the figures here suggest the gap between diesel and electric charging costs has widened considerably. If a van driver covers around 13,190 miles a year and currently fuels with diesel, the annual fuel bill could sit at about £2,770; for drivers who are able to charge at home or at a depot overnight, switching to an electric van could bring that figure down to £369.24 per year.
It is worth noting that fuel spend is only one element of what it costs to run a vehicle. Insurance, servicing, depreciation, and financing all contribute to the total picture. For drivers weighing up a switch, the fuel saving alone may look compelling, but the overall cost of ownership will depend on a range of other factors too.
Find out more about running costs
Czympojade sets out the methodology it uses to calculate the full cost of owning and running a vehicle in the UK. If you want to understand how fuel costs fit alongside other cost components, the link below explains the approach in detail.