New research commissioned by Farizon has revealed a strong majority of UK tradespeople are considering a switch to electric vans. 71 percent of respondents in the trades would consider an electric van as their next work vehicle.
These findings are contrary to conclusions that may be drawn from the current sales figures. According to Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) data, 13.9 percent of LCVs under 3.5 tonnes sold in July 2026 were electric.
Of the general public responding to the same question in the same survey, 55 percent said they were considering switching to electric. The latest SMMT data identifies 27.5 percent of passenger car sales as BEVs last month.
Calum James, Country General Manager at Farizon Auto UK, said: “This survey is really encouraging. Interest in electric vans among tradespeople is strong, even more so than among the wider public. With electric van sales across the industry not matching the levels of interest, it suggests a huge, untapped opportunity is there for the taking. We know that our born-electric model line-up is more than a match for traditional diesel vans in terms of capability and versatility, and beats them hands down for total cost of ownership. It’s clear purchasing behaviour is shifting.”
Younger tradies are keener to go greener
Farizon’s research identified a clear generational difference in attitudes towards electric vans. Among tradespeople aged 18-24, 85 percent said they would consider switching to an electric van, compared with only 33 percent of those aged 65 and over.
James added: “Older generations of tradies have spent their working lives trusting in diesel-powered vans, and maybe younger drivers are keener to embrace a new technology. It’s imperative that we make a clear case to all tradespeople about the real-world benefits of our latest generation electric vans. Farizon vans incorporate useful new tech like a payload monitoring system and domestic three-pin outlets to power equipment and charge up tool batteries, making the working day easier for everyone.”
Wales most willing to switch
Views towards electrification also varied across the UK. Tradespeople in Wales recorded the highest levels of interest in electric vans (67 percent), followed by those in London (52 percent). By contrast, no respondents in Northern Ireland said they’d consider making the switch.
The findings bear some correlation to the regional accessibility of public charging infrastructure. According to data obtained from Zapmap and published by the Department for Transport (DfT), Northern Ireland has the lowest number of public EV chargers per head, with 39 devices per 100,000 residents. By comparison, Wales has 122 devices per 100,000 residents. London has the highest concentration of EV chargers per head, with 301 devices per 100,000 residents.
James said: “It’s interesting that regional disparities in the interest in going electric seems to line up with the strength of the public charging infrastructure. It highlights the importance of confidence in the ecosystem around EVs. Many tradespeople will find that they can save even more on running costs if they can charge overnight at home, and the vast majority will rarely need a public charger because the range of modern electric vans is more than enough for a day or two on the job. Installing a home charger is usually very straightforward these days, and we offer comprehensive support to ensure it’s as easy and efficient as possible.”
Electricians spark brightest interest
Farizon’s survey also found that the confidence in eLCVs varies between professions. Half (50 percent) of electricians, builders and gardeners surveyed said they would ‘definitely consider’ switching to an electric van, whereas only 18 percent of carpenters and 20 percent of plumbers were as keen.
James concluded by saying: “There are several possible explanations to the variations between different trades in their inclination to go electric. Do some tend to travel further and have concerns about range? Do some that regularly transport heavier and larger loads think electric vans won’t carry as much as their diesels? These doubts are almost all based on outdated perceptions. With payloads of up to 1.3 tonnes, capacities up to 13 m3, and electric range of up to 247 miles (WLTP combined), Farizon’s modern electric vans outperform diesels in almost every regard.
“Ultimately, this research shows that there’s an encouraging level of interest among tradespeople in going electric. And we know our vans can comfortably fulfil the vast majority of their needs and dramatically reduce their running costs. We’re already seeing a significant acceleration in sales and we’re looking forward to more rapid and sustained growth in the medium and longer term.”
Farizon’s growing line-up comprises the award-winning Farizon SV large van and the recently launched V7E medium van. Both combine class-leading payload and cargo capacity with competitive real-world range, rapid charging capability and advanced drive-by-wire technology.