We use large vans for just about everything in the UK, from delivering groceries and online shopping to filling in potholes, taking people to hospital and moving house, but what is the best large electric van on sale?
There's such a wide range of uses for an large electric van from chassis versions with tipper or dropside bodies through to good old Luton vans that can empty out a small house. But for the benefit of this article and to determine what is the best large electric van currently on sale we're going to look just at the panel van variants.
However, it's important to know that because there's a special dispensation for large vans that allow regular car driving licence holders to drive an electric van up to 4.25-tonnes, the range of bodies and versions many manufacturers intend to bring to market for their large electric vans is quite dizzying.
Anyway, here's a rundown of some of the ones we like the best.
Version two of the eSprinter is a competitive and sensible large electric van that is finally a realistic buying option for anyone in the market for a big electric van.
Mercedes-Benz's first electric Sprinter arrived in 2020 but it was definitely a false start with a small battery and slow charging.
The original eSprinter used an 85kW motor and 55kWh battery pack, borrowing from the eVito of the time. The problem was that both were electric vans based on diesel versions and they lacked the high-end functions that users have come to expect from Mercedes.
Even the MBUX infotainment system was a step backwards and failed to incorporate useful details about the electric driveline. However, the biggest negative was the anxiety-inducing range of just 95 miles.
In contrast, the 2024 version of the Mercedes-Benz eSprinter gets a claimed range of up to 277 miles.
The new model is available with two battery sizes of 81kWh and 113kWh with two motor power outputs of 100kW and 150kW. The Mercedes-Benz eSprinter dimensions are also not quite the same as the extensive range of the diesel van, but there are two lengths (L2 and L3) and panel van and chassis cab variants.
The eSprinter comes with three driving modes, Maximum Range, Economic and Comfort, which control engine power, engine torque and climate control.
Mercedes also offers a choice of regenerative braking modes, which are selected via paddle levers on the steering wheel.
These range from D-, which delivers the least recuperation, to D++, which provides the stiffest retardation.
Renault's progress in the large electric van sector saw it launch the Master ZE in 2018 with power coming from a 33kWh battery with a range of just 74 miles.
Although Renault introduced a 52kWh battery four years later with the first E-Tech, range only increased to 125 miles and power remained at 76hp. Renault is hoping to make a bigger impression with the 2024 Renault Master E-Tech, and with its aggressive new front grille it's not likely to go under the radar. Renault offers the Master E-Tech with 143hp (105kW) or 129hp (96kW) electric motors, both with up to 300Nm of torque and two batteries, at 40kWh and 87kWh.
The larger battery gives the E-Tech a claimed range of 285 miles. Renault claims the main innovation is a 20% improvement in aerodynamic efficiency compared to the previous Master, plus better battery regeneration, which has allowed it to extend the van's range and set a maximum payload of 1,625kg. Renault claims the new Master E-Tech is 27% more power-efficient than its predecessor.
It's also been named International Van of the Year 2025, largely because of its ground-up platform that was based around the need for a large electric van that was fit for purpose.
The Ford E-Transit launched as the first and most powerful large van on sale in the UK, making it a viable electric van and massive disruptor in the space.
With 198kW (265hp) for the most powerful model and a slightly down rated 135kW (181hp) version, both vans are very quick. Combined with a massive 430Nm of torque makes the E-Transit still really usable even when fully laden or when towing.
It comes with a choice of two batteries, a 68kWh battery or an 89kWh battery. The smaller battery pack gives a range of up to 196 miles while the larger 89kWh battery has a range of up to 250 miles (400km).
That means a practical range of at least 150 miles in the real world for the small van, when the van is fully laden, and around 200 to 210 miles from the larger model.
It can transport up to a maximum 1,758kg which is for a 4.25-tonne van while a standard 3.5-tonne model has a payload of just over 1,000kg. The Ford E-Transit dimensions are also completely unchanged from the diesel van.
The Vauxhall Movano Electric is one of several vans from Stellantis that have recently been electrified with a new powertrain that's been developed in-house.
With a claimed range of up to 261 miles from a 110kWh battery, a payload of up to 1.5t and 13m3 to 17m3 load volumes, the Movano Electric shares the exact same vital statistics as the Citroen E-Relay, Peugeot E-Boxer, Fiat E-Ducato and the Toyota Proace Max Electric is a decent proposition for large van operators transitioning to electrification. It comes in two lengths and as a single- and double-cab chassis as well as panel van mode.
Available in just Professional trim, the E-Boxer's redesigned nose features a new bumper and new body-coloured grille. Other exterior changes include restyled wing mirrors, LED headlights and redesigned rear lights. Like the rest of the Peugeot line-up, it gets the brand's new shield emblem. The revamped interior includes a new, sportier steering wheel, new dashboard - although the plastic remains scratchy-looking - and new seat fabrics and door panels. A 10-inch touchscreen houses Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and satnav.
Performance is lively thanks to a potent electric motor that develops 270hp and 400Nm torque. There are three driving modes and four levels of regenerative braking. The strongest retardation setting means you rarely have to resort to using the footbrake but is considerably harsher than the strongest settings in the medium and compact vans.
