The Real Cost of Running a Van Business in 2025

Jan de Vries · 2026-10-05

For thousands of businesses, a commercial van isn't just a vehicle. It's your office, your warehouse, and your livelihood all rolled into one. Think about it. A plumber racing between jobs. A delivery driver hitting twenty stops before lunch. A construction crew hauling equipment across three counties in a single day. Without that van, the work simply doesn't happen. But keeping that van on the road? That's where things get expensive. ### The Numbers Keep Climbing Here's something worth noting. According to the Society of the Irish Motor Industry, more than 32,000 new light commercial vehicles hit the roads in 2025. That's up roughly 7% from the year before. So clearly, vans aren't going anywhere. They remain essential across construction, logistics, retail, maintenance, and pretty much every service industry you can name. The problem is, the costs associated with running them keep piling up. ### Fuel: The Expense You See Coming Fuel is the most obvious cost. You fill up, you watch the numbers climb, and you move on with your day. But over a year? Those fill-ups add up fast. A tradesperson driving between multiple jobs or a delivery operation making dozens of stops daily can easily rack up hundreds of miles every single week. Recent estimates put the annual cost of running a medium-sized commercial van at somewhere between $5,900 and $9,700. And that's before you factor in financing or depreciation. Ouch. ### What Most People Forget to Budget For Fuel is only part of the picture. There's a whole list of expenses that tend to sneak up on business owners: - Regular servicing and oil changes - Tyres and brake replacements - Unexpected repairs - Vehicle testing and certification fees - Motor tax - Insurance premiums Miss any of these, and you're looking at a nasty surprise down the road. Literally. Here's the thing though. Planning ahead for maintenance can actually save you money. Staying on top of scheduled servicing and fixing small problems early often prevents bigger (and pricier) breakdowns later. ### Technology That Actually Helps Technology is giving business owners more tools to manage vehicle costs than ever before. GPS route planning cuts down on unnecessary mileage. Fleet management software helps you track fuel consumption and maintenance schedules. Digital scheduling systems make it easier to organise jobs and reduce downtime. Other tools worth considering: - Mobile invoicing apps - Cloud-based accounting platforms - Vehicle maintenance tracking software - Digital job management systems Even small improvements in route planning can add up over twelve months. A few miles saved here and there? That's real money back in your pocket. ### Could Electric Vans Be Worth It? Electric vans are becoming part of the conversation, and for good reason. Yes, the upfront cost is usually higher. But lower running and maintenance expenses might make them worth considering, especially if your driving patterns are predictable. Short daily routes? Plenty of stop-and-go? That's where electric really shines. The CSO Road Freight Transport Survey reported continued freight activity throughout 2025, which tells you something important: efficient commercial transport matters more than ever. ### The Bottom Line Running a van-based business isn't cheap. But it doesn't have to drain your margins either. Plan your routes. Stay on top of maintenance. Use technology where it makes sense. And review your costs regularly. Your van keeps your business moving. Treat it like the asset it is, and it'll keep paying you back.