‘White van men’ are going green as they switch to electric vehicles

Britain’s “white van men” are going green – with millions eyeing up an electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid, according to research. The average van driver reckons they could save more than £2,720 a year in fuel by moving away from petrol and diesel.

And 55 percent predict they will be behind the wheel of an electric vehicle within the next two years.

Six in ten also believe that driving an EV could even open up new opportunities to do more business with a socially conscious clientele.

A spokesman for GRIDSERVE, which commissioned the poll of 500 van drivers to highlight its Sun-to-Wheel EV charging solutions, said: “It’s great to learn today’s van drivers are also following the trend, and switching to electric.

“Vans are vital to the everyday running of the UK, delivering parcels and getting tradespeople to their next job – so it is essential this group sees the benefit of going green, and is adopting the technology.

“These drivers are a key part of the electric road revolution, and will make a huge impact as more and more switch to cleaner vehicles.

“Our calculations estimate that switching the UK’s fleet of vans to electric could save 15 million tonnes of CO2 every year.”

The research also found seven in ten are more likely to consider a green van compared to five years ago.

And 82 percent want to see more companies using environmentally friendly vans in their fleet moving forward.

But it’s not just companies which should be pursuing a progressive outlook – as 59 percent want to see the term “white van man” retired for something more inclusive.

Over the last five years, many have noticed a shift in those who are behind the wheel of working vans – with 55 percent spotting an increase in drivers who are not male.

As well as this, 42 percent have noted more younger drivers in vans than ever before, according to the survey, conducted via OnePoll.com.

The GRIDSERVE spokesman added: “For years, the general public have held lots of unfounded opinions about those who drive vans.

“But what this research shows is many are certainly bucking the stereotypes with their progressive views on inclusivity and the environment.”

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