Why Your Van Is Costing More Than You Think

Jan de Vries · 2026-10-05

### The Van: Your Business's Backbone, But at What Price? For thousands of businesses, a commercial van is more than just a vehicle. It's your mobile office, your storage unit, and your ticket to getting the job done. But keeping that van on the road? That's where things get tricky. Fuel, servicing, repairs, insurance—the list of expenses keeps growing. And if you're not careful, those costs can eat into your margins faster than you'd expect. So, how do you stay on top of it all without losing your mind? ### Commercial Vans Are Still King Despite economic ups and downs, demand for commercial vehicles isn't slowing down. In fact, over 32,000 new light commercial vehicles hit the roads in 2025—a 7% jump from the year before. That's according to the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI). Why? Because vans are versatile. They help tradespeople move between jobs, delivery drivers hit multiple stops, and service providers carry everything they need. Without them, many businesses would grind to a halt. ### Fuel: The Never-Ending Expense Let's talk about fuel. It's probably the most obvious cost, but also the one that can spiral out of control if you're not paying attention. A tradesperson driving from job to job can easily rack up hundreds of miles each week. And it adds up. Operating a medium-sized commercial van can cost anywhere from $6,000 to $10,000 a year—and that's before you factor in finance and depreciation. But here's the thing: you can reduce fuel costs. Better route planning, combining trips, and keeping an eye on your fuel consumption can make a real difference. ### Don't Forget Insurance and Maintenance Fuel is just one piece of the puzzle. You've also got to think about servicing, tires, brakes, and repairs. Not to mention CVRT testing, motor tax, and insurance. Planning ahead for maintenance can save you from nasty surprises. Regular servicing and fixing small issues early can prevent bigger (and more expensive) problems down the line. > "The best way to manage vehicle costs is to be proactive, not reactive." — Jan de Vries, E-commerce Consultant ### Tech Tools That Can Help Technology is your friend here. GPS route planning and fleet management software can cut down on unnecessary mileage. Digital scheduling systems can help you organize jobs and minimize downtime. Other handy tools include: - Fuel consumption monitoring - Mobile invoicing software - Digital job management systems - Cloud-based accounting platforms - Vehicle maintenance tracking Even small improvements can add up over a year. So, it's worth exploring what's out there. ### Are Electric Vans the Future? Electric vans are getting more attention, and for good reason. Yes, the upfront cost can be higher, but lower running and maintenance costs might make them worth it—especially if your driving patterns are predictable. Plus, with the push for greener transport, electric vans could be a smart long-term investment. The CSO Road Freight Transport Survey shows freight activity is still going strong, so efficient transport is more important than ever. ### Wrapping It Up Running a van-based business isn't cheap, but it doesn't have to break the bank. By keeping an eye on fuel, planning maintenance, and leveraging technology, you can keep your costs in check. And who knows? Maybe an electric van is in your future. Either way, staying informed and proactive is the key to keeping your business moving forward.