Courier Van Hire: The Best Choices
The best courier vans and delivery vans are comfortable, efficient, and can manage your payload. Diesel vans are the most popular pick for couriers, thanks to the vast number of stations in the UK and heavy payloads. But electric vans have come a long way lately.
Now more than ever, businesses are choosing long term van hire for couriers as a flexible solution. If you want a courier van with flexibility, van hire could be a good option for you. We compare the best courier and delivery vans for hire to find the right fit for your business.
Best courier van hire options: electric
With 32% of van fleets planning to buy an electric van, we know courier drivers have got their eyes on the green future too. But can you get an electric courier van? Yes. The battery life and payload of electric courier vans have improved.
Most delivery van hire options can now get you to 100 miles and beyond. Whether you’re carrying heavy or light parcels, there’s an electric courier van for hire to fit your business. Some of the best courier vans are the Mercedes-Benz eSprinter, Nissan e-V200, and the Mercedes-Benz eVito.
Best urban courier van hire: Mercedes-Benz eSprinter
- 731kg payload
- 81 to 103 miles range
The eSprinter is a speedy smaller van that works best in urban spaces. Whether you’re in the city or just outside it, the eSprinter is your best friend. It can get you down smaller lanes, easily reach up to 75mph on the motorway, and avoid congestion charges.
While the van’s payload is on the lighter side, most couriers carrying parcels won’t have much of an issue. Need to get out and about fast? It’s worth upgrading to the rapid charging model, which can get up to 80% in around 30 minutes. Still, the 55-kWh battery is pretty good, and most drivers will finish their route without a problem. The van’s eco-driving mode helps the battery last even longer if needed.
Best small courier van for parcels: Nissan e-NV200
- 705kg payload
- 124 to 180 mile range
The Nissan e-NV200 is a top-rated electric delivery van for a reason. This little van has a longer range than many of its competitors despite the smaller 40-kWh battery. It does, however, have a light payload compared to some other electric vans. But the van does pull its weight for its size. The same size diesel vans can only carry around 50 kg more.
Carrying light parcels? The Nissan-eNV200 might be what you need. If you stick to the city, the courier van can keep going for 180 miles in the right conditions. The eco battery mode can make you go even further, but it’s not the most enjoyable or comfortable to drive. Handy if you need it, but with the Nissan’s good range you probably won’t.
Best medium payload courier van hire: Mercedes-Benz eVito
- 749 to 807kg payload
- 160 to 162 miles
Carrying heavier parcels? The eVito is one of the best options on the market for courier drivers who need a van that can handle a bit more weight. The more you add to your payload, the more you’ll take off the range. Thanks to a bigger than average 66-kWh battery, the eVito can make it further than its little brother the eSprinter.
Even if you’re carrying everything plus the kitchen sink, the eVito can still get you to where you need to be with a range of 160+ miles. You’ll get the most battery life and fuel efficiency in urban areas.
iCompario tip:
If your parcels go near the maximum payload, start your route in the eVito in the economy battery saver mode. As you deliver your parcels and reduce your payload, get back into normal or even comfort mode for a better driving experience.
Best courier van hire options: diesel
Sticking to diesel? You’ll enjoy higher payloads in your hired courier van. Diesel vans do have higher CO2 emissions, leading to added costs in some areas in the UK. But the latest courier diesel models for hire are more efficient than they used to be.
The best diesel delivery vans balance higher payloads with comfort and efficiency. Some of our favourites will be familiar names: the Vauxhall Vivaro and the Volkswagen Transporter.
Best heavy van rental for couriers: Volkswagen Transporter
- 2,600 to 3,200kg payload
- 22 to 43 miles per gallon (MPG)
Since 2015, the Volkswagen Transporter has dominated the diesel courier van rental market for hire and purchase. It’s no surprise considering the payload and comfortable driving experience. If you’re driving longer delivery routes with heavier parcels, the VW Transporter is a pretty good pick.
But does it live up to the hype? Despite its popularity and various model upgrades, the Transporter isn’t perfect. While it does have one of the better payloads for a medium-sized diesel van, it doesn’t offer you the best miles per gallon. If you’re looking to cut your fuel costs, there are more efficient options like the Vauxhall Vivaro.
iCompario tip:
The Volkswagen Transporter is a pretty popular choice, but the van you choose isn’t the only important part of your van rental for courier work. Look over the details and see if you can get a courier van hire with insurance.
There’s no point getting your favourite van if you don’t get suitable insurance with it! It saves a lot of time when the provider includes insurance in a bundle with your van instead of getting it yourself.
Best medium diesel van hire: Vauxhall Vivaro
- 975 to 1,458 kg payload
- 61 miles per gallon (MPG)
The standard Vivaro has a medium payload of 975kg, making it a good choice for couriers handling some heavier parcels. If you want the heaviest payload possible, you’ll want to upgrade to the 3100 2.0 150hp version which can get you up to that massive 1,458 kg payload. We recommend getting the Vauxhall on van hire for parcel delivery. A long-term contract most likely set you back less than the van’s price tag of £34,635 – £49,465.
As courier drivers will know (especially the tall ones!), Vivaro vans suffer from a cramped driver and passenger seat like a small courier van. If you like having a lot of legroom, the Vivaro isn’t the van for you.
iCompario tip:
The Vivaro has many customisations and upgrades. But keep in mind that no matter which version you get, you can’t make the roof height any taller than 1,397 meters.
Can I get courier van hire with insurance?
Yes. Most providers have courier van rental van hire options that include insurance. How much coverage you get varies, but we recommend looking at comprehensive coverage options.
Getting courier van hire with insurance means you have one less thing to deal with. For short term hire especially, you won’t have to handle signing up for insurance and then cancelling it after a few days or weeks.
Insurance in your van hire bundle is really important for long term van hire for couriers. The provider sorts out your coverage and renewal dates for you!
What is long-term van hire for couriers?
Long-term van hire is a great option if you need a van for longer time frame. Some long-term agreements last for a year or longer.
When you choose a long-term agreement, you’ll be locked into your contract and price agreement for the amount of time you choose. It’s a good option if you know you need a van for that long and want a fixed price plan.
If you’re not sure how long you’ll need a van for, a short-term van hire is a better choice.
Top tips for cheaper van rental for couriers
How can you get lower quotes and manage your budget? We’ve gathered the top tips for all courier companies and sole traders!
1. Apply for courier fuel cards to control your fuel budget
Fuel cards give you autogenerated HMRC-approved invoices for easy VAT reclaims, clear prices for your fuel, and even more benefits depending on the card you pick. Discover the best courier fuel cards in our expert guide.
2. Get a low emission courier van
Whether you’re hiring for the short or long term, getting an eco-friendly van isn’t just good for the environment.
It’s good for your budget, especially if you’re driving around low emission zones. With a zero or low emission van, you don’t have to pay any charges when you enter these zones.
If you’re looking at van hire for parcel delivery or courier work around London, then you know about the ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone). Get an ULEZ compliant van to avoid the charge and those massive fines!
3. Know your payload needs
It depends on the van, but courier van rentals that are heavier generally cost a bit more. You don’t want to be paying for space you don’t need but you also don’t want a van that’s too small!
4. Check your fuel level and mileage before you go
Courier van hire companies should give you the details in documents before you get your vehicle.
Check everything is accurate before you leave! If the van has a lot of mileage than listed on the document, then there’s definitely an issue. The best way to avoid this is to use a trusted van rental for couriers provider.
5. Complete a courier van rental comparison
Shopping around is the fastest way to get quotes in your budget and get a suitable van.
It’s the least amount of hassle because the comparison site does handles all the boring stuff for you. We compare hire companies to find you a van that’s right up your street.
How to get courier van hire
You need a van that delivers results as you deliver. But buying your courier van isn’t always the best choice, especially when you want to upgrade or sell in the future.
Long-term van hire for couriers means you get your van on a contract that suits you. Long-term agreements can last anywhere from a few months to over a year. It’s often cheaper than buying a van.
Get a rent van for courier work to drive in a Mercedes-Benz or Vauxhall without having to bite down on those big price tags. We compare courier van hire providers to find the best match for your business.
