At a glance
Electric van insurance is a specific type of commercial or private policy.
It can cover specific EV features like batteries and charging equipment.
E-van insurance can be more expensive than cover for petrol and diesel vans because of high repair costs.
You can get a 35% discount on selected electric vans with the government’s plug-in grant.
What is electric van insurance?
Electric van insurance is a type of motor insurance policy that’s designed specifically to cover electric vans.
It’s similar to regular van insurance but comes with a few extra benefits for electric van drivers that can provide more tailored protection.
If you have an electric van for personal use, you’ll need insurance that covers you and any named drivers who will be driving the vehicle.
If you’re driving a van for work, you’ll need your own business van insurance unless you can be added to an employer’s policy.
What does electric van insurance cover?
Exactly what’s included in an electric van policy depends on the level of cover and add-ons you choose. But, along with standard motor insurance features, it could offer:
Battery cover – protects your battery against fire and theft, whether you own or lease it. Some policies also cover accidental battery damage.
Charging equipment cover – you could claim if your home charging points or cables are damaged or stolen. You might also be covered if someone trips over the charging cable while powering up your van.
Breakdown assistance – roadside help if your battery runs out of juice while you’re out and about.
What type of electric van insurance do I need?
As with conventional vehicles, there are three types of insurance for electric vans you can choose from:
Third-party only
This is the minimum level of cover required by law to drive. It covers you for any damage you may cause to other people and their vehicles but not to you or your own van.
Many electric van insurance providers don’t offer this level of cover because it won’t protect batteries or home chargers.
Third-party, fire and theft
This offers the same cover as third-party but will also protect you if your own van is stolen or damaged in a fire. It can also cover batteries and charging cables against fire and theft.
Comprehensive
Includes all the cover of a third-party, fire and theft policy, along with cover for your own van, even if you’re at fault for an accident.
It gives you the broadest cover, often with features like windscreen cover and a courtesy van.
Pros and cons of electric vans
What are the advantages of electric vans?
Plug-in grants: you can get a 35% discount on selected electric vans with the government’s plug-in grant. This is given directly to dealerships and manufacturers. It’s capped at £2,500 for small vans and £5,000 for large vans. Visit GOV.UK to find out which vans are eligible.
Lower running costs: the cost of charging at home is significantly lower than filling up with petrol or diesel.
Zero tailpipe emissions: switching to an electric van helps you reduce your carbon footprint.
Quiet to drive: electric vans make much less noise than diesel and petrol vans. This can make them a more pleasant driving experience.
Responsive: electric vehicles (EVs) can handle well, with responsive steering and braking.
Easy to drive: EVs are automatic, so you won’t have to worry about using a clutch or manual gears.
What are the disadvantages of electric vans?
Charging issues: it can take at least 30 minutes to fully charge an EV battery. And public chargepoints can sometimes be faulty or very busy.
Range inconsistencies: range can be significantly affected by things like load, weather and using the air conditioning.
Battery weight: the heavy weight of the battery can reduce the van's maximum load capacity compared with petrol and diesel equivalents.
High initial cost: new electric vans typically have a higher purchase price than comparable traditional vans.
Are electric vans more expensive to insure?
Electric vans tend to be more expensive to insure than their petrol or diesel counterparts.
That’s largely because of their different components, like batteries, which can be expensive to repair or replace. They also need specialist mechanics trained in EV repairs, which can push up costs.
But the gap is narrowing as electric vehicles become more commonplace on our roads. Insurance prices are getting more competitive all the time.
And remember, an e-van could save you money in the long run with lower fuel and maintenance costs.
Regardless of how your van is powered, a whole host of other factors influence how much you pay for insurance. These include your age, where you live and your claims history.
How can I get cheap electric van insurance?
If you’re looking to bring down the cost of your electric van insurance, the following could help:
Choose a higher voluntary excess
Your voluntary excess is how much you choose to pay upfront if you make a claim.
The higher you set this when getting a quote, the lower your premium is likely to be. Just make sure you can afford both the voluntary and compulsory excess should you need to make a claim.
Choose a van in a lower insurance group
If you’re switching to an electric van, compare which insurance groups your preferred options fall into. Choosing one in a lower group could cut your premium.
Reduce your mileage
Spending less time on the road in your van reduces your chances of being involved in an accident. This could be reflected in the cost of your EV insurance.
Take extra security measures
You could receive a discount on your insurance if you take steps to keep your electric van more secure.
Parking it in a locked garage overnight or adding an approved alarm system could lower your premium.
Compare van insurance quotes
We can compare van insurance for UK-registered vehicles weighing no more than 3.5 tonnes.
Simply give us some details about yourself and your van, and we’ll provide you with a list of suitable quotes.
It only takes a few minutes to compare a wide range of van insurance providers and find a policy that works for you.
FAQs
Are hybrid vans covered under an electric van policy?
A policy specifically designed for fully electric vehicles might not cover hybrid vans. You may need to consider standard van insurance options instead. Always check the policy details carefully so you know exactly what’s covered before buying.
How much does it cost to install an EV charging point?
It can cost around £800-£1,200 to install a home chargepoint. The government offers a grant, which provides up to £350 towards installation costs. But it’s only available for people living in flats or rental properties or those who only have on-street parking.
If you use your van for business purposes, the Workplace Charging Scheme might be useful. This pays up to 75% of the total costs of the purchase and installation of EV chargepoints up to £350.
How much is road tax for an electric van?
The annual road tax for an electric van currently stands at £345. Until April 2025, drivers of electric vans were exempt from vehicle excise duty (VED), but it’s now in line with the standard annual rate for light goods vehicles.
How far can electric vans go on a single charge?
New electric vans can often do more than 250 miles on a single charge. But the ‘real-world’ range depends on factors like the model, battery size, load and driving conditions.
Electric vans are typically used for short urban journeys, so range may not be an issue if, say, you work as a local courier.
Looking for something else?
With more than eight years’ experience in writing and sub-editing content, Karen started her career in fashion before making the move to insurance. She now specialises in producing clear, engaging content that helps people make better financial decisions.
Karen’s areas of expertise include insurance products, such as car insurance, travel insurance and life insurance, as well as utilities such as energy comparison.
Stephen Maunder is an experienced personal finance editor, having spent more than a decade working for consumer print and online titles. He won several industry awards for his personal finance features at Which?, before becoming Deputy Editor at Compare the Market.
Amy helps make sure you get the best value when choosing insurance. Thanks to more than four years’ experience at Compare the Market, she understands what people look for, working closely with insurance providers to offer you deals and services that are fair, easy to understand and right for your needs.
Our content is written by a Compare the Market expert, backed by data and enhanced by technology. Find out how we ensure accuracy and quality in our Editorial Guidelines.
