New research has revealed that 45% of UK van drivers turn down jobs each month as they become financially unviable. This is due to the “triple threat” of longer working hours, greater distances between jobs and higher fuel bills.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ latest study of 1,000 UK van drivers found that 61% of respondents experienced an increase in weekly working hours, averaging 9.25 hours per day in 2024, up from 9.18 hours in 2023 and 8.59 hours in 2022.
With 31% driving over 100 miles every day for jobs, an increase from the 23% covering these distances in 2023 and 20% in 2022, the average weekly fuel bill for van drivers has risen by 15% to £127.13, up from £110.32 the previous year.
A total of 62% of respondents therefore believe that an electric van would be more cost-effective to operate.
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. At Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, we’re committed to keeping our customers on the road with Volkswagen Connected Services – offering roadside assistance, service scheduling, and more to support van drivers.
“Our fixed-cost servicing plans also provide peace of mind for both individual drivers and fleet managers, helping with scheduling and reducing unexpected expenses.”
