Choosing the right van for your business
Whether you’re a sole trader looking to replace your works van or a large corporation looking at new fleet vehicles, finding the right van is one of the biggest decisions a business can make. It requires careful consideration of a number of factors, from vehicle usage and payload to safety features, budgeting, and financing options.
To help support you in finding the right van for your business needs, we’ve put together this useful guide. It highlights the considerations you should make as a business when looking for efficient and cost-effective transport.
Why is choosing the right van for your business important?
Understanding your business lease requirements is the first step towards choosing the right van. Access to reliable transportation can instantly boost employee productivity and enhance how your business runs. Drive a van that’s too big or too small, and you’ll quickly find your working week more difficult. For that reason, choosing the right van is hugely important for businesses looking to prioritise efficiency and maximise growth.
Van leasing can be a crucial step in ensuring this, as it allows companies to strike a balance between budget, payload, and usability. A van lease can be an affordable way to finance your next fleet, offering hassle-free sourcing and fleet vehicle management.
Different types of vans explained
Once you’ve chosen van leasing, your next move will be determining the type of van your business needs. This is a crucial step as it can affect the number of non-standard features you can fit, especially if there are fixtures that prove essential to your operations.
At a glance, you’ll initially have the choice between a small van, medium van, or large van. If you operate within urban areas like London or Manchester that have strict emission zones, consider looking at electric vans. If your business needs something more specialised which can carry larger, heavier loads, look at luton vans and tipper/dropside vans.
To find out more about the different types of vans and any other variants you might have access to, we’d suggest contacting the team here at Synergy.
Things to consider when choosing business vans
Even after deciding on your van type, it can be hard to know what to do subsequently and what questions to ask. To make things easier, let’s explore some of the things to consider when leasing a van for your business.
Van size and load capacity
The size of the van and its load capacity are good places to start. Look at the size and dimension differences between van models, considering the type of goods and equipment you’ll need to transport. If you’re working towards business growth, consider your future needs and whether a large van will accommodate this.
Fuel efficiency
The next things to consider are running costs and the fuel efficiency of your business van. Fuel costs can potentially be a business owner’s greatest expense, so it’s vital you consider the efficiency of each van. Look at models with efficient engines that benefit from start/stop technology. If fuel efficiency is a priority for your business, also look at electric vans, which are often cheaper to run and maintain.
Safety Features
Safety is always a priority when choosing a personal lease vehicle, and the same should apply to a business van. Consider the standard safety features that come with each van and how these systems will give employees peace of mind. It’s also worth bearing in mind any other options that will help protect other drivers, pedestrians, and cargo.
Budget and financing options
Whilst leasing does benefit from lower monthly payments, businesses should still ensure it is affordable and makes financial sense. This is especially true if you want to expand your current fleet and commit to running more vehicles. You’ll also need to choose the best finance option for your business. To learn more about this, check out our guide to the different van finance options.
Maintenance requirements
Businesses must consider that their vehicles will need to be maintained and serviced in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines. A maintenance plan is a fixed-cost option that ensures this is covered during the lease but must be agreed to before the leasing contract is live and your van is delivered. It can help reduce the amount of time a van is off the road and limit disruption to your operations. If you choose not to take out maintenance with your van lease contract, you’ll be responsible for arranging and covering all maintenance costs.
How Synergy can help you find the right business van
If you’re interested in van leasing, get in touch with our dedicated team today. We can support you with any specific technical requirements, budget, and lead times when finding a van lease deal that meets your business needs. You’ll have access to special offers, exclusive discounts, and in-stock deals, ensuring you get the best deal possible.
