More new vans come with digital radio

The number of new vans on the UK’s roads with DAB digital radio fitted as standard has increased by 130% compared to last year.

New vans launched this week at the Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham will also include DAB as standard. The latest Citroen Dispatch van and its Peugeot Expert and Toyota PROACE cousins will offer DAB as standard with various upgrade options also available.

The data comes from industry analysts CAP and The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. They found that just under 120,000 new vans were registered with DAB digital radio as standard, compared to 52,000 last year. In the first three months of 2016 36.5% of new vans were fitted with digital radio as standard.

Information about digital radio in vans is less clear on manufacturer websites and brochures compared to cars. Although DAB+ is mentioned by Volkswagen for its Transporter range, DAB is only shown later in the Vauxhall Vivaro online configurator and not at all in the Mercedes Sprinter website or brochure. When considering a new van purchase it is worth checking that DAB is included or can be specified as an option.

The new figures have been welcomed by the industry and Government.

“Government is committed to rolling out DAB digital radio, bringing listeners around the UK greater access, better coverage and an even wider variety of content,” said Ed Vaizey, Minister for Culture and the Digital Economy.

“I am delighted that so many vans are now being fitted with DAB as standard, meaning that more and more of Britain’s van drivers can enjoy everything digital radio has to offer.”

Ford Ennals, CEO Digital Radio UK, added: “With improved coverage on local and national networks, and over 40 stations on national DAB, including the first DAB+ stations, there has never been a better time for van drivers to get digital radio.”