Diesel is still the right choice for plenty of fridge van rounds. But for town and city work, an electric refrigerated van has real advantages. Here are five, followed by the honest catches.
1. No ULEZ or clean air charges
Fully electric vans meet the London ULEZ standard, so there’s no £12.50 daily charge to drive in any London borough. Several other UK cities run Clean Air Zones that charge older vans too. See are you ULEZ compliant?
2. A grant off the price
The government’s plug-in van grant takes up to £2,500 off the price of some small electric vans and up to £5,000 off some large ones. The scheme is funded to at least April 2027, and the government says it can close without notice. You don’t apply: the seller includes it as a discount. Check the current rules on GOV.UK.
3. Quiet, clean rounds
An electric van has no tailpipe emissions and runs quietly, which matters on early-morning deliveries in residential streets and in busy town centres.
4. A new van with a manufacturer’s warranty
Buy a new electric van and you get the latest safety equipment and the manufacturer’s warranty. The electric eSprinters on our stock are brand new.
5. Ready for what’s coming
The government’s plan is for all new vans sold in the UK to be fully zero emission by 2035. New diesel vans can still be sold until then, and the plan is about new vans, not the ones already on the road. But if you replace vans regularly, electric is where the market is heading.
The honest catches
- Price: on our stock, a new electric eSprinter chiller is £62,995 +VAT against £49,995 +VAT for a new diesel Sprinter chiller.
- Range with a fridge: the lining, the fridge unit and the power the fridge uses all cut into the range. Work out your longest day before you choose.
- Charging: electric suits vans that come back to the same base every night and can charge there.
Read our buying guide to electric fridge vans and EV fire risk, see our electric fridge vans in stock, or call us on 01444 245555. If a diesel van suits your round better, we’ll tell you.
