Buying an electric van for your business
For a business doing 30,000 km a year, an electric van usually costs far less to run than a diesel: the Kia PV5 Cargo costs about $2,336 a year in charging and servicing in NSW, against $7,570 for a diesel Toyota HiAce LWB. The catches are a higher price, less range with a full load, and, for a business, the risk of downtime. This guide covers how to pick the right size, what the warranty really covers at high kilometres, tax, licences and charging.
Which electric van for which job?
17 electric vans are on sale. Payload and cargo are the maker's best figures; check the exact version you're buying.
Small vans
Couriers, trades with light tools, city deliveries.
| Van | From | Range (claimed) | Payload (up to) | Cargo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peugeot e-Partner | $61,990 + on-roads | 258 km | 753 kg | 3.9 m³ |
| Renault Kangoo E-Tech | $67,515 drive-away | 286 km | 523 kg | – |
Mid-size vans
Most trades and service businesses: the HiAce and Transit Custom class.
| Van | From | Range (claimed) | Payload (up to) | Cargo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LDV eDeliver 5 | $52,621 + on-roads | 335 km | – | 6.6 m³ |
| Kia PV5 Cargo | $55,990 + on-roads | 416 km | 690 kg | 4.4 m³ |
| Peugeot e-Expert | $56,990 drive-away | 330 km | 1,001 kg | 6.1 m³ |
| Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo | $69,990 + on-roads | 431 km | 680 kg | – |
| Hyundai Staria Load Electric | $70,990 + on-roads | 450 km | 1,005 kg | 4.9 m³ |
| Ford E-Transit Custom | $73,990 + on-roads | 307 km | 1,111 kg | – |
| Mercedes-Benz eVito | $89,353 + on-roads | 217 km | – | – |
Large vans
Removals, big parcels, fit-outs, shelving and racking.
| Van | From | Range (claimed) | Payload (up to) | Cargo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farizon V7E | $49,990 + on-roads | 329 km | 1,208 kg | – |
| Ford Transit City | $50,000 drive-away | 254 km | – | 6.4 m³ |
| LDV eDeliver 7 | $67,358 + on-roads | 362 km | 1,350 kg | 8.7 m³ |
| Farizon SuperVan | $69,990 + on-roads | 376 km | – | 6.95 m³ |
| Renault Master E-Tech | $77,990 + on-roads | 409 km | 1,164 kg | – |
| Ford E-Transit | $104,990 + on-roads | 307 km | 1,616 kg | 11 m³ |
| LDV eDeliver 9 | $116,537 + on-roads | 280 km | 1,410 kg | 12.33 m³ |
| Mercedes-Benz eSprinter | $121,041 + on-roads | 440 km | 1,190 kg | – |
How much you save on running costs
| A year | Diesel Toyota HiAce LWB | Kia PV5 Cargo | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15,000 km | $3,967 | $1,168 | $2,799 |
| 30,000 km | $7,570 | $2,336 | $5,234 |
| 50,000 km | $12,616 | $3,893 | $8,723 |
Fuel and servicing in NSW, 80% charged at the depot or home. The more kilometres you do, the faster an electric van pays back its higher price. Use the calculator for your own kilometres, state and diesel van.
Reliability and downtime: what matters for a business
For a tradie or a delivery business, a van off the road costs more than its repair bill: it's lost jobs. Electric vans have far fewer moving parts than a diesel (no oil changes, injectors, turbo, DPF or clutch), so routine servicing is simpler and cheaper. The risks are different: how long the model has been here, how far away the nearest dealer that can fix it is, and whether the warranty still covers you at high kilometres.
| Van | Since | Warranty* | Battery* |
|---|---|---|---|
| LDV eDeliver 9Established | 2021 | 5 yrs | 5.3 yrs |
| Mercedes-Benz eVitoEstablished | 2021 | 5 yrs | 5.3 yrs |
| Ford E-TransitEstablished | 2023 | 5 yrs | 5.3 yrs |
| Renault Kangoo E-TechEstablished | 2023 | 3.3 yrs | Check |
| LDV eDeliver 7Established | 2024 | 5 yrs | 8 yrs |
| Mercedes-Benz eSprinterEstablished | 2024 | 5 yrs | 5.3 yrs |
| Peugeot e-ExpertSupport risk | 2024 | 5 yrs | 5.3 yrs |
| Peugeot e-PartnerSupport risk | 2024 | 5 yrs | Check |
| Volkswagen ID. Buzz CargoEstablished | 2024 | 5 yrs | 5.3 yrs |
| Farizon SuperVanToo new to tell | 2025 | 5 yrs | 6.7 yrs |
| Ford E-Transit CustomToo new to tell | 2025 | 5 yrs | 5.3 yrs |
| Farizon V7EToo new to tell | 2026 | 5 yrs | 6.7 yrs |
| Ford Transit CityToo new to tell | 2026 | 7 yrs | 5.3 yrs |
| Hyundai Staria Load ElectricToo new to tell | 2026 | 5 yrs | 5.3 yrs |
| Kia PV5 CargoToo new to tell | 2026 | 7 yrs | 5.3 yrs |
| LDV eDeliver 5Too new to tell | 2026 | 5 yrs | 8 yrs |
| Renault Master E-TechToo new to tell | 2026 | 5 yrs | Check |
*How long the cover lasts at 30,000 km a year: whichever runs out first, the years or the kilometres. Check the exact terms, as some warranties differ for commercial or rideshare use.
Ways to cut downtime risk
- Check the kilometre limit, not just the years. At 30,000 km a year, a 5-year / 160,000 km warranty runs out in about 5 years; at 50,000 km a year, in about 3. Unlimited-km warranties are worth a lot to high-kilometre businesses.
- Find your nearest service centre before you buy. Newer brands have fewer dealers, and not every dealer can work on high-voltage systems. Ask how long parts take to arrive.
- Ask about a loan van or roadside assistance that includes towing to a dealer, and get it in writing.
- Prefer a model with a few years in Australia if you can't afford downtime. Early cars of any new model tend to have more recalls and software fixes.
- Check the brand's future here. Peugeot's Australian distributor is winding up in 2026, which is a real risk for parts and servicing on the e-Partner and e-Expert.
- Look up recalls on the official recall site, and ask the dealer whether any are outstanding on the van you're buying.
- Battery wear is rarely the problem. Batteries typically lose a little capacity over the years, and most come with an 8-year battery warranty. See how long EV batteries last.
Range and payload in the real world
The claimed range is for an empty van in mixed driving. A full load, a roof rack, highway speeds, cold mornings and towing all cut it. For planning, assume about 70% of the claimed range with a full load. Batteries are heavy, so some electric vans carry less than the diesel they replace: check the payload of the exact version against what you actually carry, including racking and tools.
Licences: what you can drive on a car licence
A standard car licence covers vehicles up to 4.5 tonnes GVM. All the vans listed here are under that. Several electric light trucks are offered in a 4.5 t version so they can be driven on a car licence; heavier versions need a light rigid (LR) licence. See the electric light trucks.
Tax basics for business vans
- GST: businesses registered for GST can usually claim back the GST in the price.
- The car limit for depreciation ($69,883 in 2026–27) applies to "cars": vehicles designed to carry fewer than nine passengers and under one tonne of payload. Vans and utes rated for one tonne or more generally fall outside it, so you can depreciate the full price. Some smaller electric vans carry less than a tonne (Kia PV5 Cargo, Peugeot e-Partner, Renault Kangoo E-Tech, Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo), so check with your accountant whether the limit applies.
- Instant asset write-off: the small business limit is $20,000 per asset (the ATO confirms this for 2025–26). Every electric van costs more than that, so it is normally depreciated instead.
- Fringe benefits tax: a van or ute given to an employee is generally FBT exempt if private use is only minor, infrequent and irregular (the ATO's guidance suggests no more than 750 km of private trips a year and no single private trip over 200 km). Salary-packaged vehicles don't qualify.
General information only, not tax advice. Rules change; check with your accountant or the ATO.
Charging at the depot or at home
An average electric van here uses about 22 kWh per 100 km. A 7 kW wall charger running for 10 hours overnight adds about 310 km, which covers most daily runs. A three-phase 11 or 22 kW charger at a depot charges two to three times faster, and lets several vans share overnight. Charging on a business electricity plan at night or from rooftop solar is far cheaper than public fast charging, which costs about 70c per kWh. See what a home charger costs.
Common questions
Are electric vans reliable enough for a business?
Electric drivetrains have far fewer parts that wear out than a diesel, so routine servicing is simpler. The bigger business risks are downtime and support: how long the model has been in Australia, how close a dealer that can fix it is, and whether the warranty's kilometre limit still covers you. Check those before you buy.
How long does an electric van warranty last at high kilometres?
Whichever comes first, years or kilometres. A 5-year / 160,000 km warranty lasts about 5 years at 30,000 km a year, but only about 3 years at 50,000 km. Some vans have unlimited-kilometre warranties, which suit high-kilometre businesses.
Can I drive an electric truck on a car licence?
Yes, if its gross vehicle mass (GVM) is 4.5 tonnes or less. Fuso, Iveco, JAC, Foton and Hyundai all offer electric light trucks in a 4.5 t version for this reason.
Does the car depreciation limit apply to an electric van?
Not if it's designed to carry one tonne or more (or nine or more passengers). Some smaller electric vans carry less than a tonne, so check with your accountant.
More guides
More in For business
You might also like
How we work it out, and our sources
Weekly cost = the car's energy use × 250 km × your electricity or fuel price, with 90% of charging at home. Prices are list prices at October 2026; check with the dealer.
- Electricity: 2026–27 default rates (AER, Victorian Default Offer, state retailers). Public charging: Sydney network prices, July 2026.
- Petrol and diesel: ACCC capital-city averages, 21 October 2026.
- Cars: maker figures via CarExpert, Drive, CarsGuide and EV Central. Plug-in electric range is taken as 80% of the claim.
- Servicing: published capped prices; marked as an estimate where not yet published (CarExpert comparison).
- Tyres: an EV set lasts about 35,000 km, a petrol or hybrid set 50,000 km (RACV); prices from Gridly.
- Home charger: about $2,000 installed ($1,000–$3,000). Novated leases: PwC summary.
Printed from EV Pick · evpick.com.au. Prices and costs are estimates; check with the dealer. © 2026 EV Pick (T. Crouch). For personal use only; not to be copied, republished or sold without permission.