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Your van is an essential tool for your business. So you need to make sure it’s the right tool for the job. Find out about specialist conversions for specific tasks.
Every time you choose a van for your business, you make dozens of decisions. Some may be conscious choices, some almost automatic – and some may get overlooked. To help ensure you don’t miss a thing, we’ve put together a checklist of the 15 key considerations for making the best possible van choice to meet your needs.
The Fleet Choice checklist
The considerations below will help you identify the optimum type of van for your drivers, your fleet, your business and your bottom line.
Payload
Vehicle payload can have a direct impact on profitability – not to mention safety risks and potential fines if a cargo van’s payload limit is exceeded.
Special load requirements
If you frequently transport long, high or fragile loads, it could benefit efficiency and productivity to choose a non-standard van.
Wheel base
The larger the wheelbase, the larger the load area. Don’t pay a premium to carry around empty space. But remember there’s nothing worse than a load that’s too big.
Roof height
Depending on the loads you will be carrying, you may want a higher roof than standard. However, vehicle height restrictions could limit your access with a taller van.
Passenger capacity
Will the van be used by a lone driver, driver and passenger, or a crew? Extra rows of seats and double cabs are just two options you could consider.
Access
Rear access, side access, or a combination? Loads and loading methods (by forklift, for example) may affect your choice. Also consider hinged or sliding doors.
Fuel type
Fuel efficiency, legislation, taxation and even your CSR policies should inform your fuel choice.
Location
If your business or your typical van route is within a low emission zone, an electric or hybrid van could deliver sizeable cost benefits. Location may also affect your choice of van size (for example: availability of parking space).
Journey lengths
Short hops in urban areas or long-distance motorway treks? Your van’s journeys may influence a number of decisions, from fuel type to wheelbase.
WLC v upfront costs
An attractive low monthly payment for leasing may not save you money in the long-run. Whole Life Costs need to be taken into account for a true picture.
Service and maintenance costs
Forming an important component of WLC [see above], service and maintenance costs can vary widely between vehicles.
Weight limits
A van with a gross vehicle weight of more than 3.5 tonnes must be fitted with a tachograph, and drivers’ hours and break times are then legally defined.
Business image
Van make and model, and even fuel type, can reflect positively or negatively on the image of your business.
Support
Most fleet leasing companies offer a range of services, from roadside assistance to administrative support. These can play a significant role in reducing vehicle downtime and increasing cost-efficiency.
The driver
The choice of van for your fleet is ultimately yours. But you don’t have to live and work with that decision every day. Drivers do, so their opinion should count.
Payload
Vehicle payload can have a direct impact on profitability and costs. For example, moving up a van size within a manufacturer’s range can increase fuel consumption by up to 30%, whereas loading a smaller van with its full payload only leads to a 9-10% increase.1
1. Energy Saving Trust research for Department of Transport
Special load requirements
If you frequently transport long, high or fragile loads, opting for a non-standard van with racking tailored to your needs, or a special conversion, could benefit efficiency and productivity.
Wheelbase
The longer the wheelbase, the larger the load area. Don’t pay a premium to carry around empty space. But remember there’s nothing worse than a load that’s too big.
Roof height
Depending on the loads you will be carrying, you may want a higher roof than standard. However, vehicle height restrictions could limit your access with a taller van.
Passenger capacity
Will the van be used by a lone driver, driver and passenger, or a crew? Extra rows of seats and double cabs are just two options you could consider.
Access
Rear access, side access, or a combination? Loads and loading methods (by forklift, for example) may affect your choice. Also consider hinged or sliding doors.
Fuel type
Fuel efficiency, legislation, taxation and even your CSR policies should inform your fuel choice.
Location
If your business or your typical van route is within a low emission zone, an electric or hybrid van could deliver sizeable cost benefits. Location may also affect your choice of van size (for example: availability of parking space).
Journey lengths
Short hops in urban areas or long-distance motorway treks? Your van’s journeys may influence a number of decisions, from fuel type to wheelbase.
WLC v upfront costs
An attractive low monthly payment for leasing may not save you money in the long-run. Whole Life Costs need to be taken into account for a true picture.
Service and maintenance costs
Forming an important component of WLC [see left], service and maintenance costs can vary widely between vehicles.
Weight limits
A van with a gross vehicle weight of more than 3.5 tonnes must be fitted with a tachograph, and drivers’ hours and break times are then legally defined.
Business image
Van make and model, and even fuel type, can reflect positively or negatively on the image of your business.
Support
Most fleet leasing companies offer a range of services, from roadside assistance to administrative support. These can play a significant role in reducing vehicle downtime and increasing cost-efficiency.
The driver
The choice of van for your fleet is ultimately yours. But you don’t have to live and work with that decision every day. Drivers do, so their opinion should count.
Recommended reads
Payload Vanalyser
This tool will suggest the van you need from the load you need it to carry – choosing from all models, by all manufacturers.
Future Fleet Analysis Tool
Are plug-in hybrids, electric vehicles or petrol and diesel the most cost-effective options for your fleet? This tool will tell you.