My e‑Transporter van life - Ross Millard

I work as a carpenter on loft conversions around Bristol, and after nearly three years with my old diesel van, I knew it was time to start thinking about a replacement. Most of my driving is between sites, suppliers and home, so when I began weighing up my options and looking properly at the numbers, the idea of going electric quickly started to make a lot of sense.  

I’d already been driving Volkswagen vans, so I knew what to expect from the brand, and with a bit of family experience around EVs too, it didn’t feel like a leap into the unknown. I did a bit of research online on the Commercial Vehicles website – mainly to understand range and charging costs – but I didn’t spend months overthinking it. The e‑Transporter felt like the right fit, so I went for it.  

Now I have the van, a lot of people ask me about charging – especially as I don’t have a charger at home. Honestly, that hasn’t been an issue at all. I tend to charge while I’m already doing other things. The supermarket near me has fast chargers, so I’ll plug in while I’m shopping and come back out to a full battery. It doesn’t feel like an extra job – it’s just built into my routine. I think that’s what people often miss. You don’t need to make a special trip just to charge. Once you stop thinking of it like filling up with fuel and start thinking of it as topping up whenever you’re parked, it becomes second nature.

From the first drive, the thing that stood out most was how smooth and quiet it is. There’s no engine noise, no gear changes – just a calm, easy drive. Bristol traffic can be heavy at times, and being in an automatic makes that a lot more comfortable. Pulling away at junctions is surprisingly nippy too. I mostly keep it in Eco mode, because I’m not trying to race anywhere, but it’s nice knowing the responsiveness is there when you need it.  

Moving from a smaller van to the e‑Transporter was also a big upgrade in terms of space. I can fit all my materials in easily – full sheets, tools, everything I need for a job – without constantly playing Tetris in the back. I ride Motocross some weekends, and I can fit two bikes in the back no problem.

Inside, the tech has been a pleasant surprise. Heated seats might sound like a luxury, but on cold mornings they make a real difference. The reversing camera and sensors are invaluable too, especially when manoeuvring into tight spots on residential streets.  

When I first got the van in milder weather, a full charge showed around 180-190 miles. In colder months, I’ve found the range does drop. Heating, heated seats and general winter conditions all play a part, but honestly, it hasn’t caused any problems. Around town, I can get through a full working week on roughly half a charge. Longer trips are rare for me, but I’ve done long drives without needing to stop. As long as you’re aware of your usage, it’s very manageable.

What’s surprised me most is how quickly it’s all become normal. I don’t think about it as “an electric van” any more – it’s just my van. It hasn’t changed how I work, it hasn’t slowed me down, and it’s actually made some parts of the day more comfortable. I always recommend going electric when someone asks.