Almost one in four van drivers are turning down jobs as the fuel crisis is making certain jobs less cost-effective.
Analysis by MoneySuperMarket has found drivers using vans for work purposes are forking out almost £2.5k more annually for paid jobs due to inflated fuel prices.
But it’s also having a knock-on effect on consumers as businesses have been forced to put prices up to cover their costs. Over half (53%) of businesses that are reliant on vans said they have increased their prices. Others have started building mileage charges into the prices consumers pay (14%).
Some are having to go to extreme lengths to make certain jobs viable, with 16% of van drivers using the family car for work because it’s cheaper to fill up.
But the van shortage due to global supply issues is also driving many to use their family car for work purposes, as almost one fifth (18%) say it’s the only way to get themselves and their tools to the job when they can’t get the van they need.
Tool theft also remains a key concern; almost half (47%) of van drivers have had tools stolen out of their vehicle. Of these drivers, 26% were covered by their van insurance whilst the remaining 21% did not have any insurance in place, meaning they had to foot the bill for replacements themselves.
Research by MoneySuperMarket has found that van drivers in Aberdeen need to be most cautious with 71% reporting that they have experienced tool theft in the city.
Top 10 cities where tool theft from vans is most common:
| Rank | City | Percentage of drivers experiencing tool theft (%) |
| 1 | Aberdeen | 71% |
| 2 | Oxford | 63% |
| 3 | Southampton | 60% |
| 4 | Cardiff | 56% |
| 5 | Manchester | 53% |
| 6 | London | 52% |
| 7 | Leeds / Belfast | 50% |
| 8 | Plymouth / Birmingham | 42% |
| 9 | Glasgow / Liverpool / Newcastle | 41% |
| 10 | Brighton and Hove | 38% |
