Logistics business loans: finance EV vans, charging points & solar PV
Summary: Yes — logistics companies can finance EV vans, depot charging infrastructure and solar PV. Typical routes include vehicle finance (lease / hire purchase), asset finance for chargers and panels, green loans and OPEX models such as Energy-as-a-Service or PPAs. Choosing the best route depends on ownership preference, cashflow, balance sheet impact and project scope. Complete a Free Eligibility Check to see which lenders and brokers are most likely to help your business. Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check
Important: UK Business Loans is not a lender and does not offer regulated financial advice. We introduce businesses to regulated brokers and lenders. Submitting an enquiry does not affect your credit score. Please contact your chosen broker or lender for tailored financial advice.
Quick answer / Executive summary
Yes — logistics companies can finance sustainability projects including EV vans and trucks, depot charging infrastructure (AC and rapid DC), and solar PV with battery storage. Common funding routes include:
- Vehicle finance: leasing, hire purchase and contract hire for EVs.
- Asset finance & equipment loans that cover chargers, civils and PV hardware.
- Green loans or sustainability-linked facilities for eligible carbon-reduction projects.
- OPEX models: Energy-as-a-Service (ESaaS), PPAs and managed charging agreements.
- Grants, tax allowances and local incentives that may lower net cost.
Free Eligibility Check — Get Quote Now
Why sustainability matters for logistics
Logistics operators face rising fuel and maintenance costs, growing customer demand for low-carbon delivery, and an expanding patchwork of Low Emission Zones and ULEZ-style restrictions. Shifting parts of your fleet to electric, plus onsite charging and solar, can reduce fuel bills, lower downtime from mechanical wear and help you meet corporate or customer sustainability targets.
Although savings vary by route length, duty cycles and energy prices, many fleets report lower running costs per mile and simpler servicing schedules when switching to EVs.
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
What can be financed?
EV vans & trucks
Commonly financed assets include new and used electric vans, box trucks and small rigid EVs. Typical finance routes are hire purchase (HP), finance lease, and contract hire. Costs vary with payload, range and spec; lenders may consider manufacturer residuals and battery warranty terms when pricing deals.
Charging infrastructure (depot & rapid chargers)
Depot chargers, smart chargers, and rapid DC units can be funded as capex (asset loans/HP) or via OPEX (managed charging, subscription or rental). Some funders will finance hardware plus installation and civils in a single package, which keeps procurement simpler.
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
Solar PV & battery storage for depots
Solar PV and battery storage can be financed to offset depot electricity costs. Options include asset finance, green loans, PPAs and ESaaS where a third party installs and operates the system and you pay for energy delivered.
Get a Free Eligibility Check for EV + depot projects
Finance options explained
Vehicle finance (leasing, hire purchase, contract hire)
Leasing (operational or finance) suits firms that want regular upgrades and off-balance-sheet operational renting. Hire purchase spreads cost with an option to own at the end. Contract hire is essentially long-term rental with maintenance packages available. Typical terms run from 24–60 months depending on asset type.
Asset finance & equipment loans (chargers, PV, batteries)
Asset finance covers the purchase cost of equipment and often installation. Finance may be secured against the asset and structured as HP, lease or a secured loan. Packages can bundle chargers + civils + EV units for a single repayment plan to preserve cashflow.
Green loans & sustainability-linked facilities
Some lenders and specialist funds offer green-labelled loans or sustainability-linked terms with pricing or margin benefits if project KPIs are met (e.g., emissions reductions). Eligibility typically requires demonstrable carbon-saving measures and documentation on the project scope.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
OPEX models: Energy-as-a-Service (ESaaS), PPAs
If you prefer no upfront capex, ESaaS providers or PPAs let you pay for delivered energy or charging services. These models transfer operational risk (performance, degradation) to the provider; contracts vary in length and pricing structure.
Grants, incentives & tax (overview)
Regional grant schemes, OZEV workplace charging vouchers, and local authority programs can contribute to costs. Tax treatments and allowances change — always confirm current government guidance and discuss with your lender/broker.
- Want to own assets and claim residual value → Hire purchase or asset loan.
- Prefer off-balance-sheet and frequent upgrades → Operational lease.
- No capex available → ESaaS / PPA / managed charging OPEX.
- Project reduces emissions → Ask about green loans or sustainability-linked options.
Compare lender options — Get Quote Now
What lenders check
Lenders and brokers typically review:
- Company turnover and trading history (minimum funding usually from £10,000 upwards).
- Credit profile of the business and directors (some checks run at application stage).
- VAT status and whether assets are for business use only.
- Project scope: vehicle specs, installer quotes, civils estimates and energy models for solar/battery.
- Residual value assumptions and manufacturers’ warranties for EV batteries.
Simple steps to improve approval chances: tidy management accounts, secure multiple installer quotes, confirm business use and demonstrate expected utilisation.
Typical costs & saving considerations
Finance cost depends on asset type, term, security and credit profile. Savings potential depends on energy prices, duty cycles and vehicle utilisation. Key considerations:
- Capex vs Opex: buying increases assets on balance sheet; OPEX keeps cashflow predictable.
- Residual values: EV residuals are evolving — choose lenders who model realistic residuals.
- Installation & civils: charger installation can add materially to upfront costs — fundable with some packages.
- Grid upgrades: depot connections or reinforcement can be a significant, sometimes overlooked cost.
Mini case (illustrative only): A regional haulier replaced part of its diesel fleet with electric vans and funded chargers via an equipment loan; they reported lower fuel costs and simpler servicing, but the exact payback varied by route and energy tariffs. Speak to brokers to get bespoke modelling.
How UK Business Loans helps
We make it faster to find the right lender or broker for logistics sustainability projects. Our four-step process:
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
- Complete a short enquiry form describing your business, project and funding amount (takes 2 minutes).
- We match your request to lenders and brokers experienced in EV, charger and solar finance.
- Receive rapid, no-obligation quotes and follow-up from matched partners.
- Compare offers, agree terms directly with the lender/broker and proceed if you choose.
Our service is free. We introduce you to lenders and brokers so you can get tailored quotes quickly — often within hours. Submitting an enquiry does not affect your credit score.
Get Started — Free Eligibility Check
For more on sector-specific funding, see our logistics industry page on logistics business loans.
Case studies / Social proof
Example 1 — Regional haulier (anonymised): funded 5 EV vans and depot chargers through an asset finance package after a quick eligibility check. Lender arranged combined hardware and installation finance.
Example 2 — Warehousing operator: used a PPA for rooftop solar plus a battery trial under an ESaaS model, reducing peak electricity costs without upfront capex.
Include real testimonials and partner logos where available to strengthen trust when publishing live.
FAQ
Can we finance part of a project (vans only or chargers only)?
Yes. Many lenders will fund vehicles only, chargers only, or the full package. Combining items in one finance package is possible and can simplify cashflow planning.
Do lenders fund installation and civils for chargers?
Some lenders include installation and civils within equipment finance; others require separate quotes. Always supply full installer quotes so brokers can match the right funder.
Will this affect our credit score?
Submitting an enquiry via UK Business Loans won’t affect your credit score. Lenders or brokers may carry out credit checks only if you proceed with an application.
Are green loans cheaper?
Sometimes — green-labelled products or sustainability-linked facilities can offer competitive terms, but pricing and availability depend on lender criteria and project documentation.
Can businesses with weaker credit profiles get finance?
Yes. Some specialist lenders and brokers work with businesses that have imperfect credit or limited trading history. A tailored eligibility check will show suitable options.
How long does approval take?
Timescales vary. Initial eligibility can be confirmed quickly; full approval and funding depends on asset delivery, installer availability and lender due diligence — often weeks for vehicles, up to a few months for complex depot infrastructure.
Do you help access grants?
We can introduce brokers who are experienced in grants and incentive routes; they can advise on current schemes and assist with applications alongside finance options.
Who owns the equipment under lease or HP?
Under hire purchase you normally gain ownership after final payment. Under operational lease the asset remains with the lessor. Terms vary — check your agreement and discuss ownership with brokers.
Still unsure? Get a tailored quote now.
Ready to finance your logistics sustainability project?
Complete a short enquiry (2 minutes) to be matched with lenders and brokers experienced in EV vans, depot chargers and solar PV. Free, no obligation and quick — we’ll connect you to partners who can provide tailored quotes.
Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check
1. Can logistics businesses get loans to finance EV vans, depot chargers and solar PV?
Yes — logistics companies can access vehicle finance, asset finance, green loans or OPEX models (ESaaS/PPAs) to fund EVs, chargers and solar PV.
2. What finance options suit EV vans and fleets?
Common routes are hire purchase, finance lease or contract hire for EV vans, with terms typically 24–60 months depending on asset type and ownership preference.
3. Can I finance charger hardware, installation and civils together?
Some lenders and asset finance packages will fund chargers plus installation and civils in a single deal if you provide full installer quotes.
4. Are green loans or sustainability‑linked facilities cheaper for depot projects?
Sometimes — green-labelled products or sustainability‑linked facilities can offer better pricing or margin incentives, but eligibility depends on lender criteria and project documentation.
5. Will submitting an enquiry through UK Business Loans affect our credit score?
No — completing the free enquiry to be matched with brokers/lenders does not affect your credit score; credit checks may only occur if you proceed with a lender’s application.
6. What do lenders check when assessing logistics sustainability finance?
Lenders typically review company turnover and trading history, credit profiles, VAT status, project quotes/specs, residual value assumptions and manufacturer warranties.
7. Can businesses with imperfect credit or limited trading history get finance for EVs or chargers?
Yes — specialist lenders and brokers in our network work with businesses with weaker credit or shorter trading histories and a tailored eligibility check will show options.
8. How long does approval and funding usually take for vehicles, chargers or solar PV?
Timescales vary — initial eligibility is often quick, vehicle funding can take weeks and complex depot infrastructure (grid works/installation) can take several weeks to a few months.
9. Can I fund only part of a project (vans only or chargers only) or combine assets in one package?
Yes — many lenders will fund vehicles only, chargers only or a combined package to simplify cashflow and repayment arrangements.
10. How do I start and what does UK Business Loans actually do to help?
Complete a short, free enquiry form and UK Business Loans will match your project to FCA‑regulated brokers and lenders who can provide tailored quotes and advice — with no obligation.