Sustainability in Business: Why Vans and Light Commercial Vehicles Are Central to the Net Zero Challenge
Sustainability is now firmly embedded in the way UK businesses operate. Net zero targets, ESG reporting and supply-chain scrutiny are no longer reserved for large corporates alone. From sole traders to national operators, businesses of every size are being asked to understand their carbon impact and demonstrate credible steps to reduce it. One area sits at the centre of this challenge for almost everyone: vans and commercial vehicles.
Why vans sit at the centre of the Net Zero Challenge
Transport is the UK’s highest-emitting sector, responsible for around a quarter of national greenhouse gas emissions. Road transport accounts for the majority of this, and within it, vans play a disproportionately important role. The UK’s van parc has grown steadily over the past decade, driven by construction, utilities, maintenance, logistics and service-based businesses. As a result, vans now contribute close to one fifth of road transport emissions.
This matters whether you operate one van or one hundred.
For a sole trader or small business running a single commercial vehicle, that van is often the backbone of the operation. It enables work, travel, deliveries and income. From a carbon perspective, however, it is also likely to be the largest single source of emissions associated with the business. Fuel burned by one diesel vehicle, driven daily, can generate more carbon emissions in a year than office energy use, tools or equipment combined.
In carbon accounting terms, these emissions sit within Scope 1, covering direct emissions from assets a business owns or controls. For small operators, Scope 1 may effectively be the van. This means that any change to vehicle choice, fuel type or usage can have an immediate and meaningful impact on overall emissions.
Fleet emissions at scale: The same challenge, multiplied
At the other end of the spectrum, larger businesses operating multiple forms of commercial vehicle face the same issue at scale. Fleet emissions often represent one of the largest components of operational carbon footprints. CPD Bodies’ own independently verified carbon footprint reflects this reality. Fleet fuel is a major contributor to Scope 1 emissions, a pattern common across UK businesses once detailed measurement replaces estimation.
The difference between one vehicle and many is scale, not principle. The underlying challenge, and opportunity, is the same.
Scope 3 emissions and the hidden role of commercial vehicles
Beyond owned vehicles, vans and LCVs also play a major role in Scope 3 emissions, which for many businesses account for 70–90% of total carbon output. This applies to businesses of all sizes. A sole trader relying on suppliers for materials, or a growing business using subcontractors and couriers, is still indirectly responsible for emissions generated by light commercial vehicles across the value chain.
Supply chains, subcontractors and transport accountability
For larger organisations, Scope 3 transport emissions can be substantial. CPD Bodies’ own carbon footprint shows that nearly 80% of total emissions fall within Scope 3, with transport-related activity the single largest contributor. Upstream transport alone, the delivery of vehicle chassis, components and parts, accounts for over a third of total emissions. This illustrates how deeply embedded commercial vehicles are within modern supply chains.
Why vans are one of the most practical routes to change
As sustainability expectations increase, this distinction between “my vehicle” and “someone else’s vehicle” is becoming less relevant. Customers, contractors and public sector bodies are increasingly asking businesses of all sizes how transport emissions are being managed, whether that means one van or a national fleet.
What makes commercial vehicles such a critical focus is not just their impact, but their practicality as a route to change. Vehicles under 3.5 tonnes follow predictable replacement cycles. Routes and mileage are well understood. Many operations return to base. These characteristics apply just as much to a self-employed tradesperson as they do to a fleet manager overseeing dozens of vehicles.
Sustainability must still work on the road
Advances in electric and plug-in hybrid LCVs mean lower-emission options are now viable for a growing range of real-world applications. For a single-van operator, switching to an EV or PHEV can dramatically reduce Scope 1 emissions in one decision. For larger fleets, phased transitions can deliver measurable reductions year on year, while also supporting Scope 3 commitments and customer expectations.
Crucially, sustainability must work operationally. A van still needs to carry tools, materials or specialist equipment. It must be reliable, safe and fit for purpose. This is as true for a small business owner as it is for a national operator.
Why light commercial vehicles matter at every scale
At CPD Bodies, sustainability is grounded in this operational reality. As specialists in light commercial vehicle conversions, we support businesses running vans and LCVs under 3.5 tonnes; from single-vehicle operators to large fleets. Our EV and PHEV-ready vehicle solutions and bespoke body conversions are designed to ensure lower-emission vehicles work just as hard as the businesses that rely on them.
Our own carbon footprint journey has reinforced a simple conclusion: vans matter at every scale. Whether you operate one commercial vehicle or many, they are often the most material source of emissions, the most visible within Scope 1 and Scope 3 reporting, and one of the most actionable levers available to reduce carbon impact.
For anyone running a business today, sustainability is no longer abstract. It is practical, measurable and increasingly unavoidable. And for most, it starts with the van.
The road to net zero runs through your light commercial vehicle.
CPD Bodies is here to help businesses of every size take that journey with confidence.
Call: 01642 607061
Email: sales@cpdbodies.com
