As the UK pushes towards its ambitious climate goals, the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) has become a crucial component of the country’s decarbonisation efforts. While the uptake of electric cars has gained significant momentum, the shift to electric vans has proved to be a more complex challenge, with sales lagging behind government targets.
Openreach, BT’s fibre broadband subsidiary, has emerged as a trailblazer in this transition, with a fleet of 6,000 electric vans – the second-largest commercial fleet in Britain. Jordane Roach, an Openreach engineer, attests to the benefits of the switch, saying, “This is so much easier to drive. I’d never go back to diesel.”
The shift away from polluting diesel engines is a vital step in reducing carbon emissions from the transport sector, which accounted for 12% of the UK’s total emissions in 2023. However, the path to widespread EV adoption for commercial fleets has not been a smooth one.
Government sales targets, known as the zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate, have set challenging goals for manufacturers. In 2025, the target was for 16% of new vans sold in Great Britain to be electric, but manufacturers only managed to reach 9.5%, as they grappled with an overall van market that slumped by 10%.
The complexities of the regulatory landscape have further complicated the transition. Manufacturers can earn “credits” that allow them to sell more petrol and diesel vehicles, by cutting emissions from these models or selling more electric vehicles in later years. This has led to a battle between manufacturers and some of the biggest buyers over the pace of the switch.
Nonetheless, some fleets have found the business case for going electric to be compelling. Royal Mail, the UK’s largest commercial fleet with around 43,000 vehicles, has embraced the transition, using a combination of mid-sized electric vans, micro-electric vehicles, and heavy electric lorries to cover the entire parcel delivery journey with zero direct emissions.
Cost savings are a driving force for companies that have made the switch. European sole traders, the “white-van man” or “woman,” could save around £12,200 over three years by opting for an electric van over a diesel equivalent, according to a 2024 study.
However, challenges remain, particularly around charging infrastructure and range anxiety. Openreach has addressed these issues by installing home chargers for its employees and negotiating bulk charging deals at public charging stations.
As the targets for electric van sales continue to rise, reaching 24% in 2026 and 70% by 2030, the pressure on manufacturers and buyers alike will only intensify. While some in the industry argue for a review of the trajectory, others, like Openreach’s head of sustainability, Abby Chicken, believe the “business case looks good” for the switch, alongside the “moral imperative” to cut carbon emissions.
As the UK navigates the complex transition to a greener future, the adoption of electric vans will be a crucial piece of the puzzle. With trailblazers like Openreach leading the way, the path towards a cleaner commercial fleet appears to be gaining momentum, despite the challenges that lie ahead.
