Van drivers are working more than they were a year ago, according to a recent study, which says the average is well over nine hours per day.
The research, conducted by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and based on a survey of 1,000 UK van drivers, indicates a combination of extended working hours, increased daily mileage, and rising fuel costs.
Data from the study shows that 61% of respondents reported an increase in their weekly working hours with the average daily working hours for drivers having risen to 9.25 hours per day in 2024.
This figure represents an increase from 9.18 hours in 2023, and 8.59 hours in 2022, demonstrating a consistent upward trend over the past three years. The post-Covid landscape for home deliveries and online shopping has increased how many vans are on the roads and the hours that these type of couriers spend behind the wheel.
In conjunction with extended working hours, the study also identified a significant increase in daily driving distances.
A total of 31% of van drivers surveyed reported driving over 100 miles per day for work-related purposes. This figure has risen from 23% in 2023, and 20% in 2022, indicating a substantial increase in long-distance travel requirements for van drivers.
The combination of increased mileage and fluctuating fuel prices has resulted in a 15% increase in the average weekly fuel bill for van drivers.
The study indicates that the average weekly fuel expenditure has risen to £127.13 in 2024, up from £110.32 in 2023.
The financial implications of these operational pressures have led to a reported 45% of van drivers having to decline job opportunities due to financial unviability.
In response to these economic challenges, 62% of respondents expressed the belief that an electric van would offer a more cost-effective operational solution.
The data presented in the study reflects the current operational challenges faced by van drivers in the UK, with implications for both individual drivers and businesses relying on van-based services.
Craig Cavanagh, national fleet manager at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said: “We recognise the considerable challenges facing the UK’s tradespeople, with more demanding hours and rising fuel costs, among other factors."
