The best vehicles for electrical companies are economical, reliable, and functional. Finding the right vehicle depends on a number of factors including fuel efficiency, storage, practicality, and durability.
Before purchasing, you’ll need to decide if you’ll be buying new or used, what type of jobs the vehicle will be driving to, how often you will be on the road, custom storage needs, and more. This article will provide you with suggestions for vehicles to meet your needs and other considerations while shopping around.
Best vehicle for electrician jobs
As an electrician, you have four main options when it comes to work vehicles:
1. Cargo vans
Ideal for:
- Smaller jobs in multiple locations
- Residential or commercial jobs
- Making a professional impression
Cargo vans are one of the most popular vehicles in the electrical industry. Well-known manufacturers produce a wide range of sizes, allowing you to choose a vehicle style that is best suited for your business. For example, small cargo vans are ideal for electricians doing small-scale work such as replacing or installing light fittings, whereas large cargo vans work best for large-scale jobs.
Their size allows technicians to maneuver the vehicles into smaller places when necessary and the vans with sliding side doors make it easy for an electrical contractor to access the contents of the vehicle even when parked in a tight spot.
Cargo vans provide enough interior space to haul essential tools and equipment, and their fuel efficiency and comfort make them ideal for managing multiple jobs around a big city. One minor downfall is that most cargo vans have a caged barricade between the cab and the cargo section, this makes heating or cooling the vehicle more difficult than in vehicles with a solid partition.
Below are some of the best cargo vans for electricians to consider.
Ford Transit Connect XL
This small-sized van offers a respectable fuel economy of 45.6 miles per gallon, which makes it a great option for handling multiple service calls a day.
Because of its small size, the Ford Transit Connect will fit in any parking space or load area and the sliding side door makes it easy to access your tools and equipment. If you’re buying new, you can install a custom storage organization system in the back and optimize it for the usability that works best for your electricians. The load space is slightly smaller than mid-size and large vans offer, but it will be able to house all the essential features any electrician, electrical contractor, or apprentice could need for a small job.
2021 Specs & Pricing
MSRP: From $24,655
Payload capacity: 1,420 – 1,550 lbs (depending on version)
Basic Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles
Seating capacity: 2 passengers
Max towing capacity: 2,000 lbs
Engine: choice of 2.0L GDI I-4 Gas or 2.5L iVCT I-4 Gas Engine
Ford Transit Full Size Cargo Van
A step up from the Transit Connect, this full-sized cargo van will require a slightly larger parking space but the added cargo capacity will allow any electrician to haul more tools and equipment—making it ideal for bigger residential or commercial jobs.
The Ford Transit comes in several available body lengths and roof heights, allowing you to choose the specifications that meet the demands of your business.
For its size, it handles smoothly and is a surprisingly quiet drive with minimal wind noise, making it a great vehicle to drive on city streets and highways.
2021 Specs & Pricing
MSRP: From $35,270
Payload capacity: 3,140 – 5,110 lbs (depending on version)
Basic Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles
Seating capacity: 2 passengers
Max towing RWD: 6,900 lbs
Max towing AWD: 6,600 lbs
Engine: 3.5-L PFDI or EcoBoost V6
Chevy Express
This large cargo van is known for its reliability and low maintenance. With one of the highest towing capacities you can find in a cargo van, the Chevy Express is one of the most durable options on the market.
Since it is such a workhorse, it does guzzle more fuel than others on the list and has been criticized for its truck-like handling, but the comfortable bucket seats make those long drives a little easier.
2021 Specs & Pricing
MSRP: From $32,500
Payload capacity: 4,280 lbs.
Warranty: 3 Years/36,000 Miles
Seating capacity: 5
Max towing rating: 7,400 lbs
Engine: choice of 4.3L V6 Gas engine, 6.6L V8 Gas engine, or 2.8L Duramax Turbo-Diesel 4-cylinder engine
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
The Mercedes Sprinter offers a sleek and professional look for any electrical business. The interior standing height in the cargo area is 77.8 inches tall so there is plenty of space for your electricians to stand in the back comfortably while they access their tools and supplies. The interior is large enough to accommodate organizational customizations.
The Sprinter is comfortable, handles smoothly, and its smaller engine makes it fuel-efficient, yet durable.
If the Sprinter is a little bigger than what you’re looking for, consider the Mercedes Metris. Their mid-size cargo van offers a lot of the same great features as the Sprinter.
2021 Specs & Pricing
MSRP: From $36,355
Payload capacity: 3,920 lbs. – 6,823 lbs (depending on the model)
Basic Warranty: 3 Years/60,000 km
Seating capacity: 2-3 passengers
Max towing rating: 7,500 lbs
Engine: 4 or 6 Cylinder Gas or diesel engine (depending on the model)
Other cargo vans to consider:
- GMC Savana
- Nissan NV 2500/3500
- Dodge Ram ProMaster
- Ford E-350 Econoline Van
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2. Service utility vans
Ideal for:
- Commercial or industrial jobs
- Hauling a lot of tools, materials, and supplies
- Making a professional impression
Service utility vans are much larger than cargo vans, so maneuvering in small areas can be difficult. Because of their large size, they offer lots of space for customizable organization accessories and storage—both internally and externally. Utility vans often have enough space to haul most, if not all, of your gear and are tall enough for technicians to stand straight up while in the back. Since they require a significant amount of fuel to get around, they are best for long-term industrial or commercial work.
One of the best service utility vans for electricians is the Ford Transit E-350 with a Knapheide KUV body. More information below.
Ford Transit E-350 Service Utility Van
Like the Ford Transit cargo van, the utility van with a KUV body offers valuable features that make any electrician’s job much easier. The secure compartments and shelves on the exterior make for easy access, while the full-length shelves on the inside allow for superior organization and usability.
With a body height of 70 to 94 inches (depending on the KUV), an electrician can work inside the van on tasks if the weather is unfavorable. There is an ABS cab partition with a sliding door and window that makes heating and cooling the cab much faster than in a cargo van. Electricians can also transition from the driver or passenger seat to the van body without going outside.
2022 Specs & Pricing
MSRP: From $55,400 dependant on body fit
Warranty: Varies according to fit
Seating capacity: 2 passengers
Horsepower: From 275
Engine: Regular Unleaded V-8 7.3 L/445
Note: Service utility bodies are compatible with most major manufacturers (e.g. Chevy, Ram, GMC, etc.). Look around to see which body and van combination works best for your company’s needs, branding, and budget.
3. Pickup trucks
Ideal for:
- Driving around an industrial job site
- Transporting crew members
- Residential jobs
- Long drives
Pickup trucks are one of the more fuel-efficient options for electricians. They deliver decent towing power and are extremely versatile when it comes to their use. Most offer custom storage options, which range from a small storage unit to a complete utility body.
The size of a pickup truck will limit your crew by how much they are able to haul each day but attaching a cargo trailing can help with this. Additionally, if materials are delivered and stored on-site or if trailers can be left on site, choosing a pickup truck can save you big on fuel costs.
Pickups are also great because crew cabs can transport more crew members than most vans.
Some of the best pickup trucks for electricians include Ford’s F series. Below we’ve outlined details for the Ford F150 XLT.
Ford F-150 XLT
The Ford F-150 is one of the most popular pickup trucks on the vehicle market. The 2021 model received updates including a hybrid system that allows the truck to run on gasoline, electricity, or a combination of the two. The system switches automatically depending on the driving conditions and you can get about 683 miles per tank.
Included is an onboard generator with outlet plugs in the truck bed with three levels of power output, a locking storage compartment under the rear seat, and an option to fold down the shifter to create a smooth surface for a laptop workspace in the center console.
2021 Specs & Pricing
MSRP: From $38,050
Payload capacity: 3,325 lbs.
Basic Warranty: 3 years/36,000miles
Seating capacity: 3 to 6 passengers (depending on cab type)
Max towing rating: 13,800 lbs
Engine: choice of 3.3L Ti-VCT V6, 2.7L EcoBoost®, 5.0L Ti-VCT V8, 3.0L Power Stroke® V6, 3.5L EcoBoost®, or 3.5L PowerBoost™ Full Hybrid V6
4. Service utility trucks
Ideal for:
- Jobs where materials are left on site
- Small jobs that don’t require a lot of gear
Similar to pickup trucks, service utility trucks can be great for jobs where a trailer is kept on-site with larger equipment and materials. These trucks offer less storage space than a cargo van or utility van but more than a pickup truck.
The storage compartments on the outside make grabbing tools quick and easy; however, depending on the model, the space inside the truck bed can be a tight squeeze. If it is enclosed, technicians will need to hunch over while looking for their tools inside. If it is exposed, this may limit your storage capacity. This type of setup is not ideal if your electricians are working in harsh weather conditions where they only have the truck cab as shelter.
Chevy Silverado 2500 Crew Cab Service Body
Chevy Silverado’s power and size make it a great option for electricians looking for a service utility truck. With a towing capacity between 17,000 and 25,000 pounds (with the right equipment) and horsepower between 400 and 445 depending on the model, the Chevy Silverado 2500 will carry all the tools and equipment necessary for the job.
This truck is also available as a regular or extended cab in both a diesel and gasoline engine. The large truck bed makes it easy to install a custom service body on the back.
2021 Specs & Pricing
MSRP: From $41,195
Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles
Seating capacity: 6 passengers
Max towing rating: 11,050 lbs
Horsepower: 445
Engine: 6.6L V8 with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing gasoline
Note: Just like service utility vans, the utility bodies are compatible with most major manufacturers (e.g. Ford, Ram, GMC, etc.). Look around to see which body and truck combination works best for your company’s needs, branding, and budget.
Choosing the right vehicle
With all the vehicle options for electricians out there, a good rule of thumb is to look for something that you won’t outgrow in a short period of time. Choose vehicles that are large enough to fit and transport all the required tools, supplies, and crew members for the type of work you do most often, but keep in mind business growth and vehicle replacement.
And remember: the price tag of the vehicle does not include the custom organization inside—especially if you are buying new.
Tracking your vehicles
Once you’ve chosen the right vehicles for your business, make sure you’re giving them the proper ownership they deserve. Adding a GPS tracking system to your fleet is the best way to ensure they’re being driven with care, are secure while parked in the garage or on a job site, getting the proper maintenance, and more.
Try our GPS fleet tracking system for free for 14-days and see how this type of visibility can help you better manage your new company vehicles.
