Vans

Fuel Efficient Vans

When private individuals and businesses shopping for fleet vehicles consider their van options, fuel efficiency isn’t necessarily their highest concern. Many people seeking cargo vans for commercial or hauling purposes are more interested in features, space and payload capacity than fuel efficiency, but there are compelling reasons to look closely at MPG.


Operating a van, especially for commercial purposes, can get expensive. Fueling a cargo van that has a city MPG in the teens can be an expensive proposition. Over a year, especially if your business operates multiple cargo vans all day every day, you may end up spending far more on gasoline than you otherwise would have with a more fuel-efficient van. This can really eat into your bottom line when gasoline prices skyrocket.  


The good news is there are some modern cargo vans that offer surprisingly good MPG without sacrificing hauling capacity or power. 

Most Fuel-Efficient Gasoline

Cargo Vans

1.    Ford Transit Connect Van

2.   Ram ProMaster City Cargo Van

3.   Mercedes-Benz Metris Cargo Van

4.   Dodge Sprinter

5.   Ford Econoline

6.   GMC Savana 1500

Most Fuel-Efficient Hybrid

Cargo Vans

1.     Ford E-Transit-350 Cargo

2.    Ford Transit Connect Hybrid

3.    Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Hybrid

Why Aren't There More Hybrid Cargo Vans?

There are several reasons why there aren't more hybrid cargo vans on the market.

  • The cost of producing a hybrid cargo van is much higher than producing a conventional van, as hybrid technology is still relatively expensive
  • The demand for hybrid cargo vans is still relatively low, which means manufacturers aren’t focused on producing them
  • The technology needed to make a hybrid cargo van functional for modern van users is still in its infancy


Businesses make up the bulk of cargo van users, and many of these businesses put a lot of miles on their vans every workday. A 150-mile range might not be as valuable to a business as it would be to a regular commuter who might only be driving a couple dozen miles each day.


Although hybrids are great in a lot of ways, there are some potential concerns that can make maintenance more expensive. One of the benefits of EVs is the lack of a combustion engines and their many moving parts. Hybrids don’t offer that benefit – they have both the EV equipment and a combustion engine. There’s more that could go wrong, and more that must be maintained than a business would normally need to worry about with a conventional gasoline or diesel cargo van.


As charge times get shorter and full charges grant a greater range, hybrid vans may become more popular, but the current technology isn’t necessarily the right fit for every business user. 

Top Fuel Efficient Cargo Vans

Ford Transit Connect Van

The Ford Transit Connect Van is a mid-sized commercial van produced by Ford since 2002. It offers a range of different body styles and sizes, including a van, wagon and cargo van. It has several powertrain options, including gasoline and diesel engines, as well as a hybrid version.


The Transit Connect is known for its practicality and fuel efficiency, making it an excellent choice for businesses that need to transport goods and people. It also offers a range of advanced safety features, including driver-assistance systems and advanced airbags. The Transit Connect Van is a great option for those looking for a reliable, fuel-efficient and versatile commercial van.


Photo Credit: Виталий Сова - stock.adobe.com

Ram ProMaster City

Cargo Van

The Ram ProMaster City Cargo Van is a light commercial vehicle produced by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA). It is based on the Fiat Doblo and is the North American version of the Doblo Cargo. The van was introduced in 2015 to replace the Dodge Caravan-based Ram C/V.


The ProMaster City is available in two body styles: the two-seat Cargo Van and the five-seat Wagon. Standard features include an infotainment system, a rearview camera, a rear park assist system and a cargo shelf. Optional features include a power liftgate, power windows and locks, a heated steering wheel and alloy wheels.



Photo Credit: jetcityimage - stock.adobe.com

Mercedes-Benz Metris

Cargo Van

The Mercedes-Benz Metris Cargo Van is a commercial van that has been in production since 2015. It is designed for both business and personal use and offers a variety of features to make it perfect for both. Safety features include driver assistance packages, active brake assist and crosswind assist.


The Metris also offers a range of comfort and convenience features such as power windows, air conditioning and Bluetooth connectivity.


Photo Credit: Oleksandr - stock.adobe.com

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