Research commissioned by Geely-owned van brand Farizon has found that tradespeople are more excited than you’d think about the prospect of electric vans. 

According to the company’s survey results, 71 percent of people who work in the trades would consider an electric vehicle as their next vehicle. 

That compares with just 55 percent of the general public who also responded to the survey of 1,200 people that was carried out by polling firm Observant in June.  

That enthusiasm among traders isn’t reflected in commercial vehicle sales for the UK – according to the latest figures from industry body the SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) just under 11 percent of commercial vehicles sold so far in 2026 have been electric. 

It's anyone's guess as to why those registrations are lower than the sentiment behind the technology – high initial purchase costs could be putting people off, the business conditions might not be right for them to make the investment, or perhaps they don't feel like the right product is available for their needs. 

Younger tradespeople were the most willing to make the switch, with 85 percent of those polled aged 18–24 saying that they would consider switching to an electric van. 

Farizon’s UK boss Calum James said: “This survey is really encouraging. Interest in electric vans among tradespeople is strong, even more so than among the wider public. With electric van sales across the industry not matching the levels of interest, it suggests a huge, untapped opportunity is there for the taking.”

An interesting quirk of the survey was the differences in attitudes between different trades. Farizon says half the electricians, builders and gardeners quizzed said they would definitely consider switching to an electric van, while just a fifth of carpenters and plumbers were as enthusiastic. 

Farizon is of course keen to point out that it has a burgeoning range of electric vans to suit sole traders and fleets alike – there are the larger SV and smaller V7E models available, with ranges up to 247 and 205 miles respectively.