IT’S been a record entry for the Business Van Awards this year. The judges have made their decisions – and it was a very close run thing in many categories – but now the results are in:
So, who are the tops when it comes to cars and services?
Here goes:
Best Large Van: IVECO DAILY
Best Large Van: IVECO DAILY
IVECO is a major force in the commercial vehicle sector and is maintaining a focus on becoming the sustainable partner for transport.
Not just focussing on ‘sustainability’ in the environment sense, but a sustainable vehicular partner needs to offer the user/operator first class usability, comfort, durability and exceptional total cost of ownership to make it a dependable cornerstone of the business.
To this end, IVECO has introduced, among others, four crucial improvements to the already advanced Daily range, including Driver Pal through Amazon Alexa, new 6-speed manual gearbox and two industry firsts, the continually adaptive AIR-PRO suspension and memory foam seating.
Highly Commended: MAXUS DELIVER 9
Best Small Van: VOLKSWAGEN CADDY CARGO
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ new (fifth generation) Caddy Cargo has been developed with comfort, connectivity and innovative safety technology underpinning the creation process.
Key design elements for the Cargo include: Adaptability and storage, smart interior design for the van maximises all space where possible, in both the cabin and loading space, without compromise on quality.
The loading area is spacious, with a load compartment capacity (volume) up to 3.7m3, providing enough space for conversions and the transportation of Euro palettes. In the cabin, the under-seat drawer is an ideal place for storing items such as high-visibility jackets, torches, and tow ropes, allowing workers quick, easy, safe access.
Additionally, the high roof of the new Caddy provides even more space. Optional roof rails, with roof bars, can be fitted to accommodate up to 100kg of payload.
Highly Commended: Maxus E-Deliver 3
The Best Pick-Up: TOYOTA HILUX
Best Pick-Up: TOYOTA HILUX
This popular pick-up has won this Business Vans award category a number of times and remain ahead of the pack.
The Hilux has sold more than 18 million vehicles across the world and represents Toyota’s legendary unbreakable pick-up. It is available in three body styles, Single, Extra and Double Cab with a choice of either a 2.4 or 2.8-litre diesel engine and a six-speed automatic or manual transmission.
It is equipped and engineered for work and leisure with a high-quality cabin featuring the latest in safety and connectivity features. It can carry a payload of up to 1,030kg and a towing capacity of 3.5 tonnes across the range. Off-road performance has also been enhanced with an electronic limited -slip differential.
Highly Commended: ISUZU-D-MAX
Best Long Term Van Rental: NORTHGATE VEHICLE HIRE
Best Long Term Van Rental: NORTHGATE VEHICLE HIRE
Trading for more than 40 years with 50,000 strong fleet of vehicles, Northgate Vehicle Hire is the UK’s leading provider of light commercial vehicles.
With 67 branches and workshops and more than 1,800 employees across the UK, we pride ourselves on providing innovative vehicle solutions, great value and excellent customer service for a diverse range of SMEs across the country.
With consistently high customer reviews, a Trust Pilot score of 4.5 (excellent) and a string of industry awards, including winning the Best Van Fleet Management award and Highly Commended for Best Long-Term Rental and Best Van Rental at the 2021 Business Van Awards, Northgate continues to put customer service at the heart of its business proposition.
Highly Commended: Europcar Vans and Trucks
Best Short Term Rental – less than 3 months – EUROPCAR VANS AND TRUCKS
2021 continued to provide challenges for businesses up and down the country. Europcar Vans and Trucks saw it as its responsibility to give customers confidence of supply, combined with flexibility so that cashflow wasn’t tied up but they had access to the right vehicles for every job, all supported by an expert team who ‘know vans’.
With more than 65 nationwide UK stations offering LCV services. Europcar has arguably the largest geographical network coverage of any van rental company. And with the youngest fleet in the LCV industry, it has been able to give businesses what they need to stay on the road.
Plus, the scale of the business provides the flexibility to meet customer demand within just 4 working hours. It operate in excess of 10,000 Light Commercial Vehicles, including all derivatives of panel and crew vans, through to Tippers, Traffic Management Dropsides and fully compliant ‘ready to rent’ Chapter 8 vehicles, plus recently added hybrid electric vans. This means we can truly meet all our SME & Corporate customers’ needs as a single source provider.
Best Manufacturer Conversion Programme: IVECO
IVECO’s Driveaway programme was relaunched on the Daily product in late 2020 and bolstered with additional models in 2021 on the back of its success. The scheme was launched to help shorten lead times of popular body conversions, bring entire vehicle builds onto a single invoice and warranty while opening the door to simplified financing options.
This was of great importance to the IVECO customer-base following the turbulence caused by the COVID pandemic and associated adaptation of business needs.
Highly Commended: Volkswagen
Best Used Van Programme: VAN MONSTER
Best Used Van Programme: VAN MONSTER
Launched in 2004, Van Monster has built its reputation on selling high-quality, low mileage, used commercial vehicles direct to businesses and private buyers.
With a wide range of used vans available for purchase either online or in person and with an exceptional aftersales program, Van Monster remains the UK’s largest independent retailer of used LCVs in the UK.
Van Monster Difference has an exceptional service and maintenance record behind it. Vehicles in its stock have to pass stringent checks for vehicle condition and reliability, so all vehicles can be relied upon to be roadworthy.
Highly Commended: Volkswagen
Best Van Fleet Management: NORTHGATE VEHICLE HIRE
Northgate offers a complete mobility solutions package across its fleet of more than 50,000 LCVS, complimented by a complete range of bespoke fleet management services which are available either individually, or as a package to business van users.
As a proud winner of last year’s Business Van Fleet Management Award, Northgate has worked harder to improve its fleet management offering since then and has spent the past 12 months refining its services and packages for the benefit of its business van customers.
Highly Commended: Run Your Fleet
Best Van Leasing Company: LEASEPLAN
Catering for all size of van fleets – from the smallest SME to the largest corporate – Leaseplan’s business van leasing proposition covers everything, end to end, from pre-order fleet audit and custom build/conversion to fair and transparent end-of-contract management.
In between, it offers a comprehensive package of in-life management
features, including specialist van consultancy services, enhanced fleet reporting, and a superior, multi-tier approach to downtime optimisation.
Highly Commended: Mercedes Financial Services UK
Best Van Electric Charging Point Provider: CHARGED EV
Best Van Electric Charging Point Provider: CHARGED EV
Charged EV specialises in the supply and installation of Electric Vehicle charging equipment across the UK and having installed over 23,000 domestic and workplace EV chargers to date, we have become one of the leading EV charging infrastructure specialist in the UK.
It is committed to helping our van customers along every step of their electrification journey, helping them navigate an area that can often be fraught with concern for businesses new to electrified vehicles. If offers a turnkey solution for van operators, undertaking to manage every aspect of the process from local authority authorisation, groundworks and connection to the local grid supply, to advising on leaseholder agreements, building regulations, installation and maintenance.
Highly Commended: Osprey
The Best Large E-Van: MAXUS DELIVER 9
Best Large E-Van: MAXUS DELIVER 9
The e DELIVER 9 perfectly illustrates MAXUS’ focus on diversification, customisation and reputation making it the Perfect contender for the Best Large Electric Van award. Everything about this van is of superior quality and showcases what MAXUS is all about.
The e DELIVER 9 has it all in terms of spec and space and is 100% electric. Pinned as a cutting-edge electric LCV, the e DELIVER 9 truly epitomises the future of green motoring, right now and with no compromise.
This large zero-emission vehicle comes in two size options and offers a remarkable range, clocking up to 219 miles on a single charge (LH 88.55kWh) and operating with a 150KW high power low energy motor. The vehicle offers three battery options – 51.5 kWh, 72 kWh and 88.55 kWh (LH) with various battery cooling methods which reduce charging time (DC 45mins (5%-80%), as well as extending battery life and increases the operating range.
Best Medium E-Van: TOYOTA PROACE
Toyota’s zero emission medium duty van has a driving range of up to 205 miles on a full charge yet its practicality for work is not compromised by its EV powertrain.
It is available with either a 50 of 75kW lithium-ion battery and there is no compromise in load-carrying ability, it can carry a payload up to 1,266kg fitted with the 50kW battery and has a 1,500kg towing capacity.
It is ideally suited to fleet and small businesses who need capable, reliable transport they can use to access the increasing number of urban low and zero-emission zones, and for customers keen to reduce the environmental impact of their business.
It is available with a choice of 7 or 11kW on-board chargers and an 80 per cent charge can be achieved in approximately 30 minutes using a 100kW DC fast charger in around 32 minutes for the 50 and 48 minutes for the 75kW battery. It is available in one standard high specification Icon grade.
The Best Small e-Van: TOYOTA PROACE CITY
Best Small E-Van: TOYOTA PROACE CITY
Toyota’s zero emission compact electric van has a driving range of up to 168 miles on a full charge yet its practicality for work is not compromised by its EV powertrain. It matches the load capacity of the Proace City ICE models, with up to 4.4m3, can carry an 800kg payload and has a 750kg towing capacity.
It is ideally suited to fleet and small businesses who need capable, reliable transport they can use to access the increasing number of urban low and zero-emission zones, and for customers keen to reduce the environmental impact of their business. It is available in two body lengths with a choice of 7 or 11kW on-board chargers and an 80 per cent charge can be achieved in approximately 30 minutes using a 100kW DC fast charger.
Highly Commended: Maxus E Deliver 3
Best Manufacturer Van Service: MAXUS
At MAXUS, each vehicle comes with a five-year services commitment, providing drivers and businesses with complete peace of mind.
The five-year services commitment includes a five-year warranty and five-year roadside assist as standard. Drivers are covered 24/7, 365 days a year, with dealer workshops operating a 24-hour service, helping to minimise vehicle downtime.
MAXUS has a dedicated technical training academy which was established for engineers working at MAXUS service centres, helping to develop a network of fully trained technicians from System Technician right through to Maxus Master Technician.
This in turn ensures businesses will always have the best possible support when it comes to van maintenance and servicing. Each new electric vehicle comes with MAXUS Intelligence Onboard as standard which offers businesses powerful insights that can help reduce running costs while maximising EV range.
This new programme created specifically for MAXUS EVs provides data driven insights through the Geotab software platform, including near real-time insights into state of charge (SOC), energy used, energy cost, live GPS tracking, charging data and improved range. Maxus Intelligence Onboard also allows businesses to better optimise and monitor their EV vehicles to ensure they are operating productively.
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