New research from PEUGEOT UK reveals that Britain’s working vans are doubling as offices, lunchrooms and personal retreats, with many drivers spending more than two full working days a week behind the wheel.
For millions of people across Britain, the working van is an essential tool of the trade. But new research commissioned by PEUGEOT UK suggests that its role extends well beyond carrying tools, equipment and deliveries.
From taking a quiet lunch break to catching up with family or simply escaping the pressures of the working day, Britain’s van drivers are increasingly treating their vehicles as personal spaces.
According to the survey, 43% of drivers who use a van for work describe it as their ‘quiet space’, while 34% regard it as their mobile office. Almost three in ten (29%) see their van as somewhere to escape workplace stress.
Perhaps most revealingly, one in five drivers (20%) considers their van a second home.
Seventeen Hours a Week Behind the Wheel
The findings highlight just how much time Britain’s van drivers spend in their vehicles.
On average, respondents reported spending 17 hours a week in their working vans — equivalent to more than two standard eight-hour working days.
For one in ten drivers, that figure rises to between 21 and 25 hours each week.
With so much of the working week spent on the road, comfort and convenience are understandably important.
Air conditioning tops the list of desirable interior features, selected by 62% of respondents, followed by generous storage space (52%), adjustable seating (48%) and smartphone connectivity (47%).
These preferences underline how the modern van has evolved from basic commercial transport into a workplace where comfort, connectivity and practicality matter almost as much as load capacity.
The Van Has Become Britain’s Mobile Lunchroom
One of the more interesting findings concerns how drivers spend their lunch breaks.
Almost half (48%) regularly eat lunch in their vans, compared with a separate figure of 28% of office workers who eat at their desks, cited in the PEUGEOT release.
Just 15% of van drivers favour cafés, while 18% prefer eating outdoors.
More than half (55%) typically eat alone, suggesting that lunch breaks can provide a welcome opportunity for some peace and quiet.
Packed lunches remain the most popular choice, favoured by 51% of respondents. Supermarket meal deals account for 21%, while 15% typically choose fast food.
On average, drivers who eat in their vans do so four days a week.
And where do they park up for lunch?
The workplace or job site is the most common location, mentioned by 48% of respondents. Supermarket car parks follow at 35%, with service stations and rest areas accounting for 32%.
Encouragingly, almost a third (31%) choose a scenic location or local beauty spot when taking a break.
Radio, Social Media and the Occasional Nap
Lunch breaks are not necessarily spent sitting quietly.
Listening to the radio remains the most popular activity, enjoyed by 64% of respondents, while 55% use the opportunity to browse social media.
More than a third (37%) call friends or loved ones, and 36% catch up on the news.
However, work is never entirely forgotten. Some 28% admit to using their breaks to deal with emails and administration.
Other activities include watching television programmes, films or sport (19%), listening to podcasts or audiobooks (19%) and reading books (13%).
And for drivers facing particularly demanding schedules, almost one in five (19%) admit to taking an occasional lunchtime nap.
A Working Vehicle That Doubles as Family Transport
The research also demonstrates how frequently commercial vehicles cross over into everyday family life.
Almost two-thirds (63%) of respondents use their vans for shopping, while 49% use them to visit friends and relatives.
Nearly three in ten (29%) use their vans for sports activities and holidays, and 26% even rely on them for the school run.
The contents of Britain’s working vans tell a similar story.
Food is carried by 53% of respondents, paperwork by 49% and clothing by 31%.
Some vehicles accommodate more unusual belongings, including sports equipment (16%), cooking equipment (11%) and even beds or bedding (10%).
For many owners, the van is clearly a multipurpose vehicle, combining business duties with personal and family commitments.
Manufacturers Respond to Changing Expectations
PEUGEOT commissioned the research as its PARTNER compact van marks 30 years since the model’s original introduction in 1996.
Now in its third generation, the PARTNER reflects the increasing emphasis manufacturers place on driver comfort and everyday usability.
Its equipment includes air conditioning, a 10-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and various storage compartments.
The range offers diesel and fully electric powertrains, alongside different body lengths and a Crew Van configuration accommodating up to five occupants.
While carrying capacity and running costs remain central considerations for commercial vehicle buyers, the survey suggests that interior comfort and practical convenience are becoming increasingly important.
Motoring Echo Verdict
The findings offer a revealing glimpse into a part of British working life that is often overlooked.
For tradespeople, delivery drivers and other mobile workers, a van is frequently much more than a commercial vehicle. It can be an office, a dining room, a family runabout and, occasionally, somewhere to enjoy a few minutes of peace.
Perhaps the most significant finding is that 43% regard their van as a quiet space.
It is a reminder that vehicle design should consider not only what a van carries, but also the wellbeing of the person who spends much of the working week inside it.
And with almost a third of drivers choosing scenic locations for their lunch breaks, there is clearly something to be said for an office with a changing view.
Source: Research commissioned by PEUGEOT UK. Percentages and findings are based on the survey information supplied in the manufacturer’s press release. Survey sample size, fieldwork dates and methodology were not provided in the supplied material. The office-worker comparison originates from a separate source cited by PEUGEOT.
