Why businesses choose EV vans and chargers now

Switching to electric vans is becoming a commercial priority for many UK businesses. Lower fuel and maintenance costs, improved environmental credentials, compliance with low‑emission zones (including ULEZ), and driver recruitment benefits are common reasons fleets electrify. Advances in EV range and a growing public charging network also reduce operational friction.

Many businesses combine vehicle purchases with depot or workplace chargers to ensure reliability and minimise operating disruption. Lenders and brokers increasingly offer packaged finance that covers both vehicles and chargers, helping spread upfront installation costs across manageable repayments.

Tip: Gather vehicle quotes, charger hardware proposals and an installation estimate early — brokers use these to present accurate finance options.

What types of finance are available for electric vans (EV) in the UK

Contract hire / Operating lease

Contract hire (operating lease) rents the vehicle for an agreed term and mileage. You don’t own the van at the end, but monthly rentals are often lower than hire purchase. This suits businesses focused on predictable budgets and fleet rotation. Maintenance packages can be included.

Finance lease / Hire purchase

Hire purchase (HP) or finance lease gives a path to ownership. HP spreads the cost over fixed payments with ownership typically transferring after the final payment. Finance leases are similar but ownership depends on contract terms. These products suit businesses that want to own the asset and may benefit from capital allowances.

Asset finance & chattel mortgage

Asset finance funds the purchase of vehicles and equipment (including chargers). Security is usually against the asset being financed. Suitable for dealerships, merchant fleets or firms buying multiple assets at once.

Commercial loans & green business loans

Unsecured or secured commercial loans can be used to purchase EVs and pay for installations. Some lenders offer “green” or sustainability loans with preferential terms where the project reduces carbon emissions.

Fleet funding / multi‑vehicle packages

For multiple vehicles, fleet funding packages reduce unit costs and can include depot charger funding and installation as part of one deal. Lenders may offer tailored terms based on fleet size, usage and cashflow.

Typical terms vary by product and credit profile — for example, vehicle finance from 24–60 months and equipment finance often 24–84 months. Deposit requirements and monthly costs depend on vehicle price, residual values, mileage and credit. UK Business Loans connects you to brokers who can provide indicative ranges based on your specifics.

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Funding options for EV charging infrastructure

Charging infrastructure ranges from simple single‑socket workplace chargers to depot rapid chargers with grid upgrades. Typical hardware categories:

• Slow/Standard (3.6–7kW) — low cost, suitable for overnight charging.
• Fast (7–22kW) — faster depot or workplace charging where vehicles turnaround during the day.
• Rapid (43kW+) — commercial / public charging and depot rapid top‑ups; may trigger grid connection works and higher costs.

Indicative costs vary widely: a basic workplace unit plus installation might start from a few hundred to a few thousand pounds; depot rapid installations including electrical infrastructure and civil works can be tens of thousands or more. Grants such as the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) from government can reduce hardware cost — check current details at gov.uk.

Funding routes:

• Combined vehicle + charger finance: single package covering vans and charger equipment/works.
• Equipment / asset finance: funds charger hardware and may include installation.
• Commercial loans: for wider electrical upgrades, site works and contingency costs.
• Leasing: pay monthly for the charger as an asset lease.
• Grant top‑up plus finance: brokers can structure deals that factor in grant reductions so you only finance the balance.

Experienced brokers can coordinate grant eligibility, installer quotes and lender packages so you minimise upfront cash while getting the right charger and installation schedule.

How UK Business Loans helps

We do not lend. Instead UK Business Loans acts as a fast introducer to lenders and brokers who specialise in vehicle and charging infrastructure finance. Our role is to match your business to partners most likely to offer competitive, realistic quotes for your circumstances.

1. Quick enquiry — complete our short form (takes about 2 minutes). The form is for matching purposes only, not a formal application.
2. We match — your details are shared with selected brokers/lenders experienced with EV funding.
3. Receive quotes — partners contact you with tailored options and explain next steps.
4. Compare & decide — you select the provider and proceed with their application process.

Benefits of using our service: speed (typical response within hours), specialist matching, and access to lenders who handle combined vehicle+charger deals. Our service is free for businesses. We typically place enquiries for funding from around £10,000 upwards.

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Eligibility, documentation and practical tips

Typical applicants include limited companies, LLPs, partnerships and growth-stage start‑ups (some lenders specialise in younger companies). Finance for EVs and chargers depends on business performance, director history and the lender’s risk appetite.

Common eligibility points:

• Business type: limited companies, LLPs and registered businesses (we do not arrange finance for professions or sole traders via this page).
• Trading history: some lenders accept under 12 months; others prefer 2+ years of trading and accounts.
• Director credit: many lenders look at director credit history; specialist lenders may consider imperfect credit.
• VAT registration: affects VAT treatment on leases and ownership models — discuss with your broker/accountant.

Required documents often include recent business bank statements, management accounts or statutory accounts, ID for company directors, quotes for the vehicle(s), charger hardware quotes, and a site‑survey report if substantial electrical upgrades are needed.

Practical tips: get at least two installer quotes, detail mileage patterns and business use of vans, and confirm grid constraints early — these speed up lender decisions.

Costs, VAT and tax considerations

Costs to plan for: vehicle purchase/lease costs, charger hardware, installation, potential grid upgrade charges, and ongoing maintenance. Whole‑life cost (total cost of ownership) is often lower for EVs because of fuel and servicing savings — but factor in installation and electricity tariffs.

VAT and tax: VAT treatment depends on whether you lease or buy and whether the vehicle is used exclusively for business. Capital allowances and Enhanced Capital Allowances sometimes apply for qualifying energy‑saving equipment — check with your accountant before finalising finance.

Note: this page provides general information and is not tax advice. Always consult your accountant for tax-specific guidance.

Timeframes & what to expect

Initial lender/broker response: often within 24–72 hours after enquiry. Credit checks and underwriting: timelines vary. Typical finance completion for straightforward deals: 7–21 days. Charger installations: simple installs in days; depot rapid chargers requiring grid upgrades can take 2–8+ weeks depending on local network work.

Action to speed things up: gather vehicle/spec quotes and installer proposals before submitting your enquiry, and confirm grant eligibility (for example, Workplace Charging Scheme) early in the process.

Short anonymised examples

Single van + home-base charger

A regional courier company needed one EV van and a single onsite charger. UK Business Loans matched them with a broker who arranged a hire purchase for the van and an equipment finance package for the charger. Quote to funding took 10 days; monthly cost matched their reduced fuel spend.

Fleet electrification + depot rapid charger

A trades business transitioned 8 vans to electric. We introduced a lender able to provide fleet finance and fund a depot rapid charger. The broker combined grant applications with asset finance; the funding and installation plan reduced upfront cash required and completed within six weeks.

Risks, disclaimers & compliance

Important: UK Business Loans is an introducer and does not provide lending or regulated financial advice. We connect businesses with lenders and brokers who will supply personalised quotes and full terms. Any finance offer depends on lender checks and the credit/financial information you provide.

Before you proceed with any agreement, read all lender terms, consider whole‑life costs and speak to your accountant or legal adviser if you are unsure about tax or contractual implications.

Submitting an enquiry is not a credit application and will not affect your credit score. Lenders may undertake checks only if you proceed with their application.

Frequently asked questions

Can I finance both the van and charger in the same agreement?

Often yes. Many brokers and lenders can structure combined packages covering vehicles, charger hardware and installation costs so you pay one monthly amount. Availability depends on lender appetite and project scale.

Are there grants for workplace chargers and how do they affect finance?

Yes — schemes such as the Workplace Charging Scheme can offset hardware costs (subject to eligibility and caps). Grants reduce the amount you need to finance; brokers can help you apply and factor grant values into quotes. See current details at gov.uk.

What if my company credit history isn’t perfect?

Some specialist lenders consider imperfect profiles, higher deposits or different security. We match you to partners experienced in non‑standard credit cases, but terms vary and may be higher cost.

How long does the whole process take?

Initial matches and quotes often within 24–72 hours; finance completion typically 7–21 days; charger installs depend on local grid work and can take a few days to several weeks.

Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?

No. Submitting our enquiry form is non‑binding and will not leave a credit footprint. Lenders may run checks only if you proceed with their application.

Get started — free eligibility check

If you’re ready to explore EV van finance and charging funding, complete our short enquiry to receive tailored matches from specialist brokers and lenders. The enquiry is quick, free and not an application — it simply lets us match your business to the best possible partners.

Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check

Typical information requested: company name, contact details, postcode, funding required (amount), whether you need van, charger or both, and a brief note about trading history. We only share your details with relevant partners.