Vans & Racking

There’s a fuel efficient van that’s right for you

Fuel prices have reduced since their record-high spike over the summer, but fuel is still significantly more expensive now that it was a year ago. Toolstation has conducted research to discover the best fuel-efficient vans – petrol, diesel and electric – for tradespeople, not only helping to save those extra pennies on the day-to-day job, but also helping the environment.

Toolstation analysed the fuel efficiency of some of the most popular petrol and diesel vans on the market. Electric alternatives have also been analysed for their distance on one full charge for those who are looking to drive green.

Most efficient diesel

Diesel vans tend to be more common than their petrol counterparts, as they offer a much more fuel-efficient drive. The power of a diesel engine suits it for larger makes and models.

Taking the top spot for diesel is the Vauxhall Corsavan, travelling as far as 847 miles on a full tank - that’s equivalent to driving from London to Manchester and back, twice over. The diesel model also boasts the cheapest cost to purchase from new at £13,875 - so it’s great for those on a budget.

This van, however, is rather car-like and on the smaller side, so while it’s a perfect run-around van, it may be less suitable for tradesmen carrying hefty cargo.

A larger alternative is the Peugeot Partner which ranks second overall on the list. This van will cost £15,825 to purchase from new and £290 per year in road tax. The distance on a full tank for the Partner is also one of the longest in the data, at 884 miles.

The only van to beat this distance is the Citroen Dispatch (ranking third overall) which will return a total of 968 miles on a full tank. It does cost a little more, coming in at

t The Mercedes-Benz Citan appears in the top five on both the petrol and diesel lists

£20,495 from new, but thanks to its fuel efficiency, many may deem it worth the extra investment.

Most efficient petrol

Though petrol is cheaper than diesel at the pump, the distance on a full tank is lower across the board, meaning a petrol van will likely have you spending more on fuel overall.

The Vauxhall Corsavan comes in as the most fuel efficient van in the petrol ranking too. It costs just £12,038 to purchase from new, and just £190 per year in road tax. At 52.3 MPG, this petrol van will take you 517 miles on a full tank.

The Citroen Berlingo ranks fifth overall, but will take you the furthest of all petrol vans at 574 miles per full tank. The model misses out on a higher ranking due to a greater cost to purchase and tax per year - but with its large fuel capacity and distance on a full tank, it could be worth the investment.

t The Fiat E-Doblo tops the list of most economical electric vans and can go 173 miles on a single charge

Most efficient electric

Electric vans are continuing to grow in popularity, but they do come with a higher price tag. While some are on the more affordable side at £27,855 (Fiat E-Doblo), some are priced as high as £70,665 (Mercedes-Benz EQV).

The Fiat E-Doblo takes the top spot as the most economical electric van thanks to its more affordable cost of £27,855. The model also boasts a large battery capacity and will reach 173 miles on one charge. The vehicle you’ll have to charge the least is the Renault Zoe Van, which will take you 245 miles per charge - that’s 112 miles over the average.

Finishing off the list of most economical electrics is the Peugeot e-Expert (£ 25,053), the Vauxhall Combo-e Crew (£31,110), and the Renault Kangoo E-Tech (£33,055). ◼ phamnews.co.uk/123/71

Reinforced van designed to combat tool theft

Aiming to tackle one of tradespeople’s top concerns, Renault Trucks has announced the launch of a reinforced Trafic Van to combat theft from van break-ins.

To safeguard tools and other expensive items, the Trafic can now be specified with a Cat 1 alarm, fully lined interior and floor, internal security system and fully sealed steel mesh internal door system with an internal five-point locking mechanism fitted to rear and side, with apertures finished off with an external high impact clear Perspex covering.

Renault points to research that found van theft costs tradespeople £264 million per year, and tool theft costs a tradesperson £5584 on average each time their van gets broken into. Additionally, a van break-in also puts the average tradesperson out of work for 30 days, costing them £5982 in missed jobs, on top of the cost of replacing tools and materials.

Grahame Neagus, head of LCV, says: “We have designed this vehicle to deter thieves in the first instance, protect valuable content and to offer total peace of mind for tradespeople who rely on their tools for the continuity of business.”

Available now on the new Trafic L1H1, L2H1, and L2H2 Red Edition and Exclusive models, the on-board tool safe is flushmounted into the vehicle, reducing internal space by only 30mm, and weighs just 105kg. It is produced by PD Stevens & Sons in Market Drayton. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/123/73

Winter is coming: are you road-ready?

As the weather turns colder, fuel card provider fuelGenie is reminding SMEs and fleet owners to ensure their vehicles and drivers are ready for the winter. The company has come up with a top 10 of handy tips to keep drivers – and other road users –safe this winter: 1) Tyres need to be at the correct pressure. Stopping distances can increase significantly in wet or icy conditions. 2) Windscreen washer fluid needs to be used at a higher concentration level to prevent the risk of freezing during very cold conditions. 3) Drivers should adjust their style to allow for poor weather or road conditions, cutting speed and using more gradual acceleration and braking. This also includes using high gears when travelling uphill and low gears when going downhill. 4) In the event of a skid on ice, the driver should take their foot off the accelerator and avoid sharp braking – turn into the skid to regain control. 5) In snowy conditions, try to stick to major roads, which are more likely to have been cleared or gritted. 6) Drivers should take the time to fully de-ice their vehicle before they depart, ensuring they can see properly through the front and rear windscreens, and all windows. 7) Fuel levels should be checked too; every vehicle should have at least a quarter of a tank as delays are more likely in poor weather conditions. 8) Clear all snow off the vehicle before departing. 9) Drivers should not drive if they have cold or flu symptoms or are taking medication which could make them drowsy. 10) And finally…if your vehicle gets stuck in the snow, consider putting cat litter around the tyres to provide traction. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/123/72

Partners to provide tool theft protection

ARMD and Van Guard have teamed up to help prevent and protect tradespeople against tool theft and van crime. The partnership brings together Van Guard’s range of tough van security products with ARMD’s smart insurance and fast digital claims. The plan offers a number of ways help to ease the risk of van crime.

First, Van Guard offers security products including locks and shielding, preventing and deterring thieves. Its ULTILock range includes the first Gold Standard Sold Secure hooklock, which is also Secured by Design accredited.

ARMD offers a free Tool Inventory app to record and insure your tools, and its insurance provides dedicated tool protection for fast digital claims, said to be easy and hassle free

Using the ARMD app means it can easily see what tools belong to a tradesperson, avoiding any disputes when making a claim. Meanwhile, the ARMD Guard watches over movement in the back of the van, alerting drivers with a phone call if a break in occurs. Finally, users can easily replace any stolen tools in ARMD’s tool shop. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/123/74