Low emission zone entry top reason for electric van adoption

BEING able to drive in low emissions zones is the top reason for van fleets adopting alternative energy such as electricity, according to new research.

This factor was named by 32% of respondents in the 2025 Arval Mobility Observatory Barometer shows – up from 23% last year.

John Peters, Head of Arval Mobility Observatory in the UK, said: “This is a marked rise and suggests an increasing number of operators, especially those who work in urban areas, are concerned about future clean air legislation and their ability to access those locations with diesel vehicles.”

The Government has now extended the plug-in van grant until at least 2027 to support the uptake of electric vans.

“Simply, electric vans provide the means to go anywhere within the likely scope of any potential legislation. They futureproof your fleet in this respect.”

John Peters, UK Head of Arval Mobility Observatory Tweet

Why have you already implemented or are considering implementing alternative energy technologies on your van fleet?

Drive in low emissions zones 32%

Lower environmental impact 30%

Tax benefits 28%

Total cost of ownership is the same or lower than ICE alternatives 27%

Fulfil employee requests 23%

Reduce fuel expenses 20%

Anticipate future restrictive public policies 18%

Improve company image 16%

Compliance with corporate social responsibility policies 16%

John added that in a majority of areas – including lower environmental impact, tax benefits, fuel expenses, future public policies, improved company image – there had been little or no change in responses from van operators since last year’s Arval Mobility Observatory Barometer.

“This probably indicates a maturing of operator attitudes towards operating electric and other alternative energy vans. There is a greater understanding of their operational advantages and a general sense of stabilisation.”

Unclear on costs compared to diesel

One area showing a fall – from 31% to 27% – is fleets who are adopting alternative energy vans because they believe cost of ownership has fallen in line with diesel vans.

John said: “This is quite a complicated subject. In some ways, the cost of operating electric vans has risen, including charging itself – but there are signs that others are falling, including potentially the purchase price of vans, while residual values have stabilised and become more predictable.

“The data does suggest that operators believe alternative energy van costs have risen overall in comparison to diesel, however.”

For the survey, 8,061 company decision makers were interviewed in 2024 across 28 countries by independent research company, Ipsos, out of which 300 interviews took place in the UK.