Fact or fiction: the top 3 van myths

From debunking common van misconceptions, to examining driver stereotypes, we’ve dug into the world of van myths — and it’s time to set the record straight.

Do bulls get angry when they see the colour red? Is it a fatal mistake to drop a penny from the empire state building? Does accidently swallowed chewing gum stay in your stomach for years? Myths are everywhere — even in the world of vans — and in many cases, all is not as it may seem.

Vans and their drivers are no strangers to being typecast and pigeonholed, but what’s the truth?

Nothing fancy

It is true that vans did used to be stripped back commercial workhorses. Back in the day you’d be lucky to get a cup holder, and uttering the word ‘infotainment’ at a van dealership would’ve got you the same reaction as requesting a long weight or a left handed screwdriver. But does this far-from-luxurious perception still ring true today?

It seems the days of wrangling hard to handle rusty cargo haulers from job to job are falling into the rear-view mirror. In a market where the phrase ‘car-like’ is starting to be applied to everything from comfy interiors, smooth driving characteristics, and safety assists, the baseline has been raised. 

On top of this, recent industry insights point towards buyers no longer choosing entry level models, opting for elevated trims with the bells and whistles they entail. For example, the  best-selling Ford Transit Custom’s most popular trim is the spec’d up ‘Limited’ level. In addition to the myriad safety features, ‘squircle’ steering wheel which doubles as a table, and 13-inch infotainment touchscreen, this trim adds 16-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, a comprehensive air-con setup, and even a ‘leather-trimmed gearshift knob’ — far from basic we’d say. It’s no wonder van life and recreational models such as the sporty Custom MS-RT have taken off when LCVs are becoming such a nice place to be.

The white van man

Since the phrase was coined in the late 90s, the ‘white van man’ has been portrayed as an inconsiderate, sometimes aggressive driver, ready to tailgate or cut you off at any opportunity. However, building on studies by Mercedes-Benz and the Office for National Statistics, Citroën recently quizzed 2,000 UK drivers, revealing that 62% reckon ‘they were no more likely to report a van driver for poor driving than a car driver’ — so is the stereotype beginning to crumble?

Well, the signs go beyond the 9 to 5, where previous archetypes labeled the white van man as unhealthy and unsophisticated. Yet, the study revealed that 47% of van drivers are trading in tabloids for broadsheets, and 25% of van drivers are tuning into podcasts rather than the radio. Health and wellbeing seem to be on the mind with over half of van drivers actively walking to stay fit, over a third hitting the gym, and one in seven unwinding with a bit of downward dog as they hop onto their yoga mats after work. 

Add cooking, baking, gardening, and arts and crafts into the mix of most popular hobbies, and we’re thinking the outdated term may be fading away. And that’s without even considering Mercedes' research which discovered that — 25 years after the phrase was coined — nearly half of all white van men are… women!

That said, some preconceptions are true. Van drivers are 14% more likely to opt for a breakfast fry up, and twice as likely to throw milk and two sugars into their morning brew, but Citroën still think they’ve got that covered. Aligned with this shift in perception, the Berlingo boasts the ability to adapt to modern van drivers’ ever changing needs, as the UK’s favourite small van caters to all walks of life — mythical, reality based, and anywhere in between.

Electric vans are fizzling out

As with any hot topic, there are plenty of rumblings and rumours surrounding commercial EVs. Aside from the notion that they spontaneously combust more frequently than ICE vehicles (perhaps the most debunked electricity myth since your parents reassured you that lighting never strikes the same place twice), there is the perception that “drivers don’t want electric vans anymore”.

Honestly, the jury is out on this one. July 2024 saw electric van demand fall by almost 15%, citing missed targets, range and charging infrastructure concerns, and skepticism around practicality. This isn’t to say that all drivers are sticking to their trusty combustion engines, but most are. Vauxhall is currently the best-selling electric van brand of the year, with the Vivaro Electric leading the way. Models like this have driven electric vans to account for 5.1% of all new vans since January, showing the limited demand.

However, with more electric vans on UK roads than ever before, and with government mandates driving manufacturers to ensure electric vans make up at least 10% of new van sales, this could be set to change. And with reports of fleet drivers growing to enjoy their electric cargo haulers if they do decide to get behind the wheel — we’ll have to wait and see if this perception cements itself in reality, or becomes a myth.

Do you agree with our list? And are there any van myths, misconceptions, or unexpected realities that we’ve missed?

Hero image credit: Stellantis

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