Electric van depreciation (UK)
Published 23 October 2026 · Last updated 23 October 2026 · by Value My Van
Electric vans are newer to the market than diesel, and the depreciation picture is mixed. Some data shows stronger retention, other evidence suggests steeper early losses. Here's what we know.
The conflicting evidence
Evidence for stronger retention
Cap HPI / Loads of Vans 2024 report: Electric vans (e.g. Ford E-Transit, Mercedes eSprinter) retained 52% of their value at 3 years/60,000 miles, vs 43% for diesel equivalents.
Why? Government grants (Plug-in Van Grant, now ended), company car tax benefits (0% BIK for EVs), fuel cost savings, and Clean Air Zone exemptions drove demand for used electric vans.
Evidence for steeper losses
TrainAR / usedcarstats: Ford E-Transit models showed ~35% retention at 3 years, below diesel Transit Custom (39–42%).
Why? Battery degradation concerns, limited charging infrastructure, range anxiety, and falling new EV prices (cheaper new EVs reduce used values).
Our approach
Given the conflicting data, our electric van depreciation curve uses a deliberately wide band: 26–48% retention at 3 years/60k miles. This reflects uncertainty and variation by model, brand, and buyer type.
Factors affecting electric van depreciation
1. Battery health and warranty
The biggest concern: Battery degradation. Buyers fear capacity loss reduces range and utility. Most manufacturers offer 8-year / 100,000-mile battery warranties (Ford, Mercedes, Vauxhall, Renault), but buyers still discount for older batteries.
Reality: Modern EV batteries degrade slowly. Real-world data (Geotab 2024 study, US and European fleets) shows ~2–3% capacity loss per year. A van with 80% battery health after 5 years still has 160+ miles range if it started at 200 miles.
What buyers want: Documented battery health (State of Health, SOH). Some dealers provide this; others don't. If you can show 90%+ SOH at 3 years, you'll get a better price.
2. Range and charging infrastructure
Range anxiety: Most electric vans have 150–250 miles real-world range (Ford E-Transit 180 miles, Mercedes eSprinter 248 miles, Vauxhall Vivaro Electric 205 miles). This suits urban delivery routes but not long-distance work.
Buyers discount electric vans if:
- They need to cover rural or motorway routes (range drops 20–30% at motorway speeds)
- Charging infrastructure is poor in their area
- They can't install a workplace charger
Offsetting factor: Zero fuel cost for local work (charging at 7p/kWh overnight tariff vs £1.50/litre diesel) increases appeal for inner-city fleets.
3. Falling new EV prices
New electric van prices have fallen 15–25% since 2021 due to:
- Battery cost reductions (lithium prices down 60% 2022–2024)
- Increased competition (more models available)
- End of Plug-in Van Grant (June 2022, was £2,500–£5,000 off)
Impact: When new EVs get cheaper, used values fall. A 2022 E-Transit that cost £55,000 new now competes with 2026 models at £48,000 new.
4. Technology improvements
Battery technology, range, and charging speed improve every 2–3 years. Buyers discount older EVs because:
- 2021–2022 models: 50–80 kW charging (1–2 hours to 80%)
- 2024–2026 models: 100–150 kW charging (30–45 mins to 80%)
Diesel vans don't face this—a 2021 diesel Transit is functionally similar to a 2026 one. Electric vans become "outdated" faster.
5. Government policy and Clean Air Zones
Clean Air Zones (CAZ): London ULEZ, Birmingham, Bristol, Bath, Portsmouth, Bradford, Sheffield (as of 2026). Diesel vans (Euro 6 or older) face daily charges (£12.50 London, £8–£50 others). Electric vans are exempt.
Impact on demand: In CAZ cities, used electric vans command a premium because they save £3,000–£4,500/year in charges (£12.50/day × 250 working days). Outside CAZ areas, demand is weaker.
Future risk: If more cities introduce CAZs or ban diesel vans outright (proposed Edinburgh 2030), used diesel values will fall and EV values will rise. Conversely, if policy changes (e.g. exemptions extended), EV premiums may erode.
6. Total cost of ownership (TCO)
Electric vans have lower running costs but higher upfront costs. Buyers who calculate TCO over 5 years often find EVs cheaper overall:
| Cost | Electric van | Diesel van |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase (used, 3 yr) | £28,000 | £22,000 |
| Fuel/electricity (5 yr, 20k mi/yr) | £3,500 | £15,000 |
| Servicing (5 yr) | £1,500 | £3,500 |
| Road tax (VED, 5 yr) | £0 | £1,400 |
| CAZ charges (London, 5 yr) | £0 | £15,600 |
| Total (London) | £33,000 | £57,500 |
| Total (non-CAZ area) | £33,000 | £41,900 |
Assumptions: 20,000 miles/year, electricity 7p/kWh (overnight EV tariff), diesel £1.50/litre at 35 mpg, CAZ £12.50/day × 250 days. Excludes depreciation. Source: illustrative calculation, October 2026.
Result: In CAZ areas, electric vans are significantly cheaper over 5 years. This supports higher used values. Outside CAZ areas, the gap is smaller.
Which electric vans hold value best?
Strongest: Ford E-Transit, Mercedes eSprinter, Vauxhall Vivaro Electric. Established brands, dealer networks, good range, strong warranties.
Weaker: Lesser-known Chinese imports (Maxus, LDV). Limited dealer support, shorter UK track record, buyer uncertainty on parts and servicing.
Should you buy an electric van?
Buy if:
- You operate in a Clean Air Zone (London, Birmingham, etc.)
- Daily mileage is under 150 miles and predictable (urban delivery routes)
- You can install workplace or home charging
- You plan to keep it 5+ years (TCO savings outweigh higher purchase price)
Stick with diesel if:
- You cover long distances (200+ miles/day, motorways)
- You can't charge at base or home
- You need towing capacity (most electric vans have limited or no towing)
- You're in a rural area with poor charging infrastructure
Will electric vans depreciate faster or slower long-term?
Unknowns:
- Battery replacement costs: If batteries need replacing at 8–10 years (£10k–£15k cost), values will plummet. If they last 15+ years (real-world data suggests they do), values will hold.
- Policy changes: More CAZs = higher EV demand. Diesel bans (Edinburgh 2030, Glasgow proposed) = diesel values crash, EV values rise.
- Charging infrastructure: If rapid charging becomes ubiquitous (like petrol stations), range anxiety fades and EV values improve.
Likely outcome (2026–2030): Electric van values will stabilise as the market matures, with strong retention in urban/CAZ areas and weaker retention in rural areas. Wide variation by model and battery condition will persist.
Value your electric van
Use our valuation tool to estimate your electric van's current value. We factor in the wide depreciation band and brand variations. For more on electric vans, see our electric van segment page.
Sources: Cap HPI / Loads of Vans 2024 electric van residual values report, TrainAR/usedcarstats depreciation data, Geotab 2024 EV battery degradation study, Transport for London ULEZ guidance, DVLA VED rates (electric vehicles exempt), manufacturer battery warranty terms (Ford, Mercedes, Vauxhall, Renault). Published 23 October 2026 by Value My Van.