The shortlist for the International Van Of The Year 2027 award has been announced, with six commercial vehicles now in contention for one of the industry’s most recognised accolades.
The 2027 competition is particularly notable for its strong focus on electrification, with the majority of the shortlisted vans offering zero-emission powertrains.
The winner will be announced at the Night of the Stars Gala during the IAA Transportation exhibition in September.
Six Vans In The Running For The 2027 Award
The International Van Of The Year 2027 shortlist features a mixture of established manufacturers and newer entrants to the European commercial vehicle market.
The six finalists are:
- Farizon V7E
- Hyundai Staria Electric
- Maxus Deliver 7
- Renault Trafic E-Tech
- Stellantis Pro One New Smart Compact Van
- Volkswagen Caddy Cargo
The Stellantis entry covers a number of compact vans sold under different brands, including the Citroën Berlingo Van, Fiat Professional Doblò, Opel Combo and Peugeot Partner. These models share much of their underlying technology, with the Peugeot Partner and Citroën Berlingo offering businesses two closely related options in the compact van market.
For UK businesses, the shortlist includes several familiar names, with the Maxus Deliver 7 and Renault Trafic E-Tech standing out as electric van options aimed at businesses looking to move towards zero-emission fleets. The Maxus 2027 van range will also be showcased at IAA Transportation, making the manufacturer one to watch as the European commercial vehicle market continues to evolve.
Electric Vans Take Centre Stage
The latest shortlist highlights how quickly electric technology is becoming established across the light commercial vehicle market. For businesses considering the move away from conventional powertrains, there are several practical factors to consider when switching to an electric vehicle.
The International Van Of The Year competition assesses vehicles based on their contribution to areas including efficiency, safety, environmental performance and sustainable road transport.
That makes the strong representation of electric vans on this year’s shortlist particularly significant.
Electric vans are becoming an increasingly important option for businesses as operators consider running costs, emissions requirements and the changing regulations surrounding commercial vehicle fleets.
However, the shortlist isn’t exclusively focused on electric models. The Volkswagen Caddy Cargo and the wider Stellantis Pro One compact van range demonstrate that conventional powertrains remain an important part of the European light commercial vehicle market.
A Major Award For The Light Commercial Vehicle Industry
The International Van Of The Year award has been running for more than three decades, with 2027 marking the 35th anniversary of the competition.
Eligible vehicles must be purpose-built light commercial vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of up to 3,500kg.
The award is judged by specialist commercial vehicle journalists from across Europe, with efficiency, safety and environmental performance among the key considerations.
The previous winner was the Kia PV5 Cargo, making it another significant year for manufacturers bringing new electric vans to market.
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