Survey shatters van driver stereotypes

Some insight could be provided by Nissan which has released its first ever detailed report into the modern-day professional driver.

The official launch of the Nissan Van Report comes as Nissan debuts the widely anticipated 100 per cent electric eNV200  in the UK.

Some of the interesting facts to emerge include how drivers are better drivers when their van is clean and they are tuned to their favourite radio station.

A packed lunch is their food of choice and some take a nap when they are stuck in a traffic jam.

The majority of van drivers are over 45 years old.

For fleet managers, the Van Report shows managing rising fuel prices, vehicle purchase and running costs, and protecting vans from future regulation are all key priorities.

The survey also shattered some van driver stereotypes.

How many motorists have seen vans with `clean me' etched into the dirt and grime?

The research shows van cleanliness is not a laughing matter with 92 per cent of drivers saying they feel better when driving a clean vehicle and three out of four (72 per cent) believe it actually makes them a better driver.

Nearly half of drivers questioned (48 per cent) cover 160km miles or less per day which Nissan says shows they could successfully make the transition to a Nissan eNV200 van without having to compromise their daily routines.

Spending longer behind the wheel are the 26 per cent of drivers who said they drove more than 320km every day.

More than one third of van drivers (39 per cent) are over 45 years of age, but only 3 per cent of respondents were aged between 16-24, reinforcing that companies will have to start recruiting young blood to replace an ageing workforce.

Van drivers are a loyal bunch with 45 per cent of respondents saying they had been with their employer for six years or more.