Designed for delivery drivers and city-based van operators, the Mercedes eVito covers 93 miles on a single charge and can carry payloads weighing up to 1073kg. The medium-size e-van is ideal for city based couriers who do short distances - especially when you consider the expensive DPF problems that cause headaches for diesel drivers.

The all-electric van takes six hours to fully charge and the electric battery pack is stored under the loadspace floor so it doesn't impact load capacity. However, unlike some electric cars, you can’t hook the van up to a rapid charging point to boost the battery to 80 per cent in 40 or 50 minutes. With 300Nm of torque available, the eVito easily whistles its way onto fast moving roads, however, the van struggles for performance once you pass 50mph. 

The Mercedes eVito is available in two load lengths - long and extra long - and cargo volumes range from 6.0 to 6.6 cubic metres. Payloads are similar for both versions, with the long models carrying 1043kg and the extra long van taking 1073kg. All get twin side sliding doors as standard and gross vehicle weights (GVW) peak at 3.2 tonnes.

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Nissan gave use the first mass-market EV with the Leaf so it makes sense it should offer a zero emissions van. In fact, the e-NV200 is based on the Leaf so you know the technology is tried, tested and reliable – critical for a working vehicle.

A mid-sized van, the e-NV200 has a 40kWh battery with an official range of 124 miles. Of course, that’s subject to change if it’s fully loaded with 770kg (there’s a 4.2-cubic-metre load volume and a 2.4-metre long load bay).

Charging times are similar to the Leaf with the van capable of being fully charged from a standard socket overnight or topped up to 80% full from a rapid charger in 30 minutes.

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Citroen, Peugeot and Vauxhall have been sharing a van platform for a while – so it makes sense that they’ll all have an electric version with just a few subtle tweaks between each model. So alongside the Citroen e-Dispatch there is the Peugeot e-Expert and Vauxhall Vivaro-e (see further down).

Drivers can choose between a 50kWh battery for a 143-mile range, or 75kWh for a 205-mile range.  The e-Dispatch comes comes in three different body lengths and because of its zero tailpipe emissions status you can enter the London ULEZ without having to pay.

The e-Dispatch offers a payload of more than 1200kg and up to 6.6m3 of load capacity plus there's a useable load length of up to 4 metres when fitted with the optional moduwork system.

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The Renault Kangoo Z.E is an all-electric, small van that offers real-world practicality with a 143-mile official range. It comes in two lengths: standard or Maxi - and can also be specified as a two-seater panel van or as a crew cab, with five seats.

Despite the official range, Renault has taken the unusual step of publishing real world economy figures, which show a driver can expect the Kangoo ZE to cover 75 miles in the winter months and 124 miles in the summer on a single charge. The quick-charging system can complete a full charge in six hours with the right charging point. A less potent 3.7kW home Wallbox charger needs 12 hours, and if you’ve only got access to a three-pin plug, the larger 33kWh battery pack will take up to 17 hours. 22 miles can be added in just a single hour, which is handy for topping up the range when parked up during a lunch break. 

The biggest Kangoo panel van will provide 4.6 cubic metres of space, with a load length of 2.1 metres. However, owing to the additional weight of the battery pack, the payload of the Kangoo Z.E - in both standard and Maxi versions - is limited to 640kg. The Z.E is good to drive and effortless to park, meaning it’s well-suited for urban use. But it’s not particularly at home on fast flowing roads.

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If you’re a small business that doesn’t have the luxury of running a fleet of vans, then you’ll need something that offers you the flexibility to do longer runs as well as city centre drops. Step forward the Ford Transit Custom PHEV.

The Transit Custom Plug-in Hybrid combines a 1.0-litre petrol engine with an electric motor and a battery located under the floor. It can cover up to 35 miles under electric power alone, while still being able to complete longer journeys if required. Critics might argue that this engine isn’t up to the job, but they’d be wrong as the engine gets a helping hand for the battery as and when required. It's biggest obstacle is its price. Starting at slightly more than £39,000 plus VAT, it's considerably pricier than the equivalent diesel.

With the batteries positioned underneath the floor, the PHEV is just as practical as a standard Transit Custom. That means there's a useful 6.0 cubic metres of load space in the back and a payload of 1130kg. Battery charging can be completed using a standard three-pin socket in around four and a half hours, while a 16-amp Type 2 charger will give it a full charge in just over two and a half hours.

It's how the Plug-In Hybrid drives that makes it stand out from the diesel. When fully-charged, it'll set off in silence. There's plenty of torque, too, meaning that you can easily keep up with city traffic, even with a load in the back.

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Electric versions of the hugely popular Citroen Berlingo and Peugeot Partner Electric were among the early entries into the world of zero emissions vans. And while they can still cut it, they’re definitely looking a bit out of date compared to new rivals.

Still, with an official range of 106 miles and costing around £23k, this French load-lugger could is still a good fit for many drivers – but don’t buy until you’ve read our review.

That’s because these vans are based on the previous generation models – not only are they not as good the latest models but you also don’t get a lot of kit. You need to make sure the battery is right for you, too, because while it’s small it doesn’t take long to charge – but there’s no fast charging option.

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The Vauxhall Vivaro-e is one of a trio - its equivalents are the Citroen e-Dispatch and Peugeot e-Expert with Vauxhall now part of the big PSA Group.

Vauxhall Vivaro-e buyers can choose the full-length panel van or a double-cab version with two rows of seats. The e-van claims a payload of up to 1226kg, with owners able to specify a short or long wheelbase model. Vauxhall also says the Vivaro-e has a maximum towing capacity of 1000kg.

The 50kWh battery has a range of up to 143 miles, while the optional 75kWh battery claims a range of up to 205 miles. Charging from empty to 80% takes 30 minutes from a 100kW rapid-charger, with the 75kWh pack taking 45 minutes. A 74kW on-board charger is fitted as standard, but a three-phase 11kW unit can be equipped for faster charging times.

The Vivaro-e is equipped as standard with the same array of driver aids and interior kit as the regular Vivaro - so all versions get a head-up display, lane-keeping assistance, traffic sign recognition, automatic emergency braking and a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen. 

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Here’s a slightly different take on the electric van. It’s made by LEVC and is based on their taxi. Unlike a hybrid van, this is a range extender. That means there’s no connection between the wheels and the 1.5-litre three-cylinder – the engine simply acts as a generator to keep the battery topped up.

And the 31kWh battery in VN5 has an all-electric range of 58 miles. Or 300 if you need to use the range extender. It won’t suit everyone, but it’s handy if you can do a lot of stop-start low mileage work but need to throw in the occasional long run.

It’s not a bad little worker, either, with a payload of 830kg and a cargo volume of 5 cubic metres making it ideal for city life.

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The Fiat Ducato is an Italian institution. It has been keeping Italy moving for the best part of 35 years. Until now, anyone in the market for an electric version was forced to buy an aftermarket but Fiat has finally sorted out a factory version.

Available from 2021, the E-Ducato promises to offer all the current available sizes. That means there’s plenty of choice when it comes to payloads with the biggest being 1.9 tonnes.

Would be buyers can choose from two batteries variants. There’s a 47kWh that offers a range of 137 miles or a 79kWh that can go as far as 224 miles on a charge. Prices, however, are yet to be confirmed.

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Volkswagen is no stranger to EVs so an electric version of the hugely popular Transporter is a no brainer. Developed in collaboration with long-standing Premium Partner ABT e-Line (hence the odd name). It uses the electric drive system from the Volkswagen e-Golf - that means there’s a 37kWh battery mounted under the load floor that offers 82 miles. 

True that may not seem a lot, but at least you have charging options that include high-speed CCS (0-80% in 45 minutes) while a 7.2kW wallbox can do the job in five and a half hours. 

Despite being an EV, the the floor height and all internal dimensions of the eTransporter remain exactly the same as the petrol and diesel versions, so the same racking systems will fit.

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