The van transport market is experiencing unprecedented growth, driven by the explosion of e-commerce and demand for rapid deliveries. The light commercial vehicle segment (up to 3.5 tonnes) now represents the beating heart of last-mile logistics, with concrete opportunities for those operating vans of every size.
According to industry data, last-mile delivery represents 41% of the total cost of an e-commerce shipment. This means companies are willing to pay competitive rates for those who guarantee flexibility, speed and reliability. In this guide, we analyse how a load board can open new opportunities for van operators.
The boom in light transport: numbers and trends
Van transport is no longer just a complementary activity to heavy goods vehicles. It has become a strategic sector for several reasons:
- E-commerce growth: online shipments have increased by 42% in recent years, with express delivery demand up 37%
- Urbanisation: Low Emission Zones and traffic restrictions in European cities favour light vehicles over heavy trucks
- Flexibility: vans can operate on routes that trucks cannot cover, reaching city centres and residential areas
- Standard driving licence: vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes can be driven with a standard car licence, lowering the entry barrier
In 2023, the van and light truck segment represented approximately 50% of market share in the global last-mile delivery sector. This reflects a structural change in consumption habits.
Van types and load capacity
Before searching for loads, it's essential to know your vehicle's specifications and communicate them correctly to shippers. Here's an overview of the main vans used in freight transport:
Compact vans (up to 2.8t)
- Typical models: Fiat Doblò, Citroën Berlingo, Peugeot Partner, Volkswagen Caddy
- Load volume: 3-5 m³
- Payload: 600-900 kg
- Ideal use: urban deliveries, small parcels, documents, samples
Medium vans (2.8-3.2t)
- Typical models: Fiat Scudo, Renault Trafic, Ford Transit Custom, Mercedes Vito
- Load volume: 5-9 m³
- Payload: 900-1,200 kg
- Ideal use: groupage, multi-package e-commerce, B2B deliveries
Large vans (3.5t)
- Typical models: Fiat Ducato, Mercedes Sprinter, Iveco Daily, Ford Transit, Volkswagen Crafter, Renault Master
- Load volume: 10-20 m³ (Iveco Daily reaches 19.6 m³)
- Payload: 1,000-1,500 kg
- Ideal use: single pallets, partial removals, regional distribution, bulky e-commerce
The Fiat Ducato Maxi 35 offers 17 m³ of volume, while the Iveco Daily 35C15 reaches 19.6 m³, the maximum in the 3.5-tonne category. Choosing the right vehicle depends on the type of loads you intend to carry.
Market opportunities for vans
1. Last-mile delivery and e-commerce
Last-mile delivery is the most expensive and complex phase of the logistics chain. Traditional couriers (DHL, UPS, FedEx, DPD) cannot always meet demand, especially during peak periods like Black Friday, Christmas or summer sales.
This opens space for independent operators with vans: e-commerce platforms and online shops seek delivery partners, often with spot contracts or ongoing collaborations. A load board enables contact with these shippers without going through intermediaries.
2. City logistics and restricted zones
Low Emission Zones and traffic restrictions present in all major European cities represent a barrier for heavy vehicles, but an opportunity for vans. Many transport companies need local partners for city centre deliveries where their trucks cannot enter.
London, Paris, Milan, Berlin, Amsterdam: every major city has an urban delivery market requiring agile vehicles compliant with environmental regulations. Euro 6 or electric vans have privileged access to these areas.
3. Same-day and express deliveries
40% of consumers consider the delivery service a decisive factor in choosing a seller. Demand for same-day or few-hour deliveries is growing rapidly, requiring a widespread network of flexible carriers.
For a van operator, this means being able to charge premium rates for urgent deliveries. An express transport between major cities can be worth significantly more than a standard delivery scheduled days in advance.
4. Groupage and LTL (Less Than Truckload)
Not all shippers need a full truck. Many shipments are partial loads (LTL) that can be consolidated on a van along with other goods on the same route. Groupage allows optimisation of load space and increases profitability per kilometre.
Operating costs and reference rates
To operate sustainably, it's essential to know your costs and market rates.
Operating costs for vans (Category A: up to 3.5t)
According to tables from Italy's Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (June 2025 update), operating costs for vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes include:
- Vehicle depreciation: variable based on purchase price and annual mileage
- Fuel: represents 25-35% of total costs; a van typically consumes 10-14 litres/100 km
- Maintenance and tyres: approximately €0.05-0.08/km
- Insurance: €1,500-3,000/year depending on coverage
- Tolls: vary significantly depending on routes
Decree 279/2025 from the Italian MIT updated the parameters, highlighting that for light vehicles the average annual mileage has dropped to 30,000 km, with a 15-20% increase effect on cost per kilometre compared to heavy vehicles.
Market rates
Rates for van transport vary based on several factors:
- Standard transport: €0.80-1.20/km for full loads
- Urban deliveries: often charged per delivery (€15-40 per drop) rather than per kilometre
- Express/same-day: 30-50% surcharge on standard rates
- Specialised services (refrigerated, fragile): 20-40% surcharge
It's crucial not to accept rates below operating costs. Estimates indicate that the minimum sustainable cost for a 3.5t van is around €0.70-0.90/km, considering all expense items.
How to find loads with a digital load board
A digital load board works as a marketplace connecting transport supply and demand. For van operators, it offers specific advantages:
Search by vehicle type
Platforms allow filtering loads based on vehicle characteristics: weight, volume, body type (box, refrigerated, tail lift). This avoids wasting time on incompatible offers.
Return loads
The main problem for van operators is the empty return journey. After a delivery 200 km from base, returning without a load means halving the trip's profitability. A load board allows immediate searching for shipments on the return route.
Direct access to shippers
Many companies post their transport requests directly on load boards, without going through freight forwarders. This means more transparent rates and the possibility of building direct customer relationships.
Real-time notifications
By configuring alerts for routes of interest, you receive notifications when new loads are posted. This allows being among the first to respond to the best offers.
Sectors with highest demand for light transport
Some sectors offer particularly interesting opportunities for van operators:
E-commerce and retail
From parcel delivery for online shops to merchandise distribution for retail chains, the commerce sector generates a constant flow of small and medium-sized shipments.
Food and fresh produce
Food product distribution often requires dedicated vehicles (refrigerated vans) and frequent deliveries. Margins are attractive for those with appropriate equipment.
Pharmaceutical and healthcare
Transport of medicines, medical devices and samples requires absolute reliability and often specific certifications (GDP for pharmaceuticals). Rates are above average.
Furniture and furnishings
Sofas, flat-pack furniture, home accessories: bulky but not extremely heavy loads, ideal for large vans. Often require delivery to upper floors.
Samples and trade fairs
Companies participating in trade fairs or sending samples to customers need fast, reliable transport with non-negotiable delivery dates.
Electric vans: opportunities and challenges
The electric van market is expanding rapidly. In 2025, models such as the Fiat E-Ducato, Mercedes eSprinter and Volkswagen e-Crafter offer competitive ranges:
- Citroën ë-Jumper: up to 420 km WLTP with 79 kWh battery
- Mercedes eSprinter: up to 500 km WLTP with 113 kWh battery
- Fiat E-Ducato: approximately 370 km WLTP with new batteries
The advantages are significant: free access to restricted zones, exemption from some urban tolls, lower operating costs over the long term. Challenges remain the higher initial investment and the need to plan recharging.
For those operating mainly in urban areas, an electric van can represent an important competitive advantage, enabling access to markets closed to diesel vehicles.
Common mistakes to avoid
Underestimating loading/unloading times
In urban deliveries, the time needed to find parking, deliver and get a signature can exceed driving time. Calculating rates based only on mileage leads to underestimating the true cost of service.
Not considering urban constraints
Restricted zones, parking bans, delivery time windows: urban logistics has precise rules that vary from city to city. Knowing them avoids fines and delays.
Neglecting maintenance
A van off the road due to breakdown means lost work and customers. Preventive maintenance is an investment, not a cost.
Depending on a single customer
As with owner-operators running heavy vehicles, van operators must also diversify. A load board helps build a broader, more stable customer portfolio.
How to get started
- Define your operating area: local, regional or national? The choice influences the type of loads to seek.
- Register on a load board: choose platforms free for carriers that allow testing without risk.
- Complete your profile: vehicle specifications, certifications, photos of the vehicle. A complete profile builds trust.
- Set up notifications: receive alerts for loads on your preferred routes.
- Start with compatible loads: don't accept transport that exceeds your vehicle's capacity or requires equipment you don't have.
- Build your reputation: punctuality and professionalism generate positive reviews and repeat customers.
The future of van transport
The light transport sector is set for further growth. E-commerce shows no signs of slowing, cities are becoming increasingly restrictive towards heavy vehicles, and demand for fast, flexible deliveries continues to rise.
For van operators, opportunities abound. The key is knowing how to seize them: digitise load searching, diversify customers, optimise routes and maintain high service standards. A digital load board is the tool that makes all this possible.
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