Operators of van fleets should consider replacing vehicles sooner than planned due to the significant savings new models can bring.

This is the advice of GE Capital Fleet Services, which argues advances in fuel efficiency and reliability mean upgrading imminently could result in long-term cost savings.

"This new generation of vans is a revelation in terms of impact on the key cost drivers such as fuel consumption, reliability, maintenance costs and carbon footprint," explained light commercial vehicle leader at the company Simon Cook.

He noted that while in the past the introduction of a new design would bring slight improvements in costs over the whole life of the vehicle, new generations are now bringing "genuine change".

Some manufacturers are now offering service intervals of 30,000 miles, he remarked, adding this would be "unthinkable" a few years ago.