Whitby Morrison has unveiled the world’s first fully certified electric ice cream van, marking a major milestone for the company and the wider ice cream industry.
Built on the Mercedes-Benz eSprinter Chassis Cab, the vehicle has been engineered from the ground up as a fully electric ice cream van and has successfully passed the Individual Vehicle Approval process.
This is not a converted diesel vehicle or a retrofit. It is a brand-new, purpose-built electric ice cream van designed specifically for professional operators who want to embrace cleaner, quieter and more future-ready mobile retailing.
The first fully certified electric Whitby Morrison ice cream van has been delivered to Hocking’s of North Devon, a family business with a long-standing reputation in the British ice cream industry.
For Whitby Morrison, the launch represents the next chapter in a story that has spanned generations. The company, based in Crewe, has become recognised worldwide for its specialist ice cream vans, combining traditional craftsmanship with engineering innovation.
The move to a fully electric platform continues that tradition while responding to the changing needs of operators, venues, councils and customers.
The new vehicle combines Mercedes-Benz electric-vehicle technology with Whitby Morrison’s specialist body design. It is a fully integrated electric ice cream van that delivers the performance operators need without relying on a diesel engine.
The Mercedes-Benz eSprinter also brings practical commercial advantages for operators.
With a Maximum Authorised Mass of 4.25 tonnes, it offers greater payload capacity than many conventional 3.5-tonne vehicles.
Depending on battery and vehicle specification, the underlying Mercedes-Benz eSprinter Chassis Cab offers a combined WLTP driving range of up to 274 miles. It also supports rapid DC charging from 10% to 80% in as little as 34 minutes under optimal conditions.
For many operators, the available range may be sufficient to support a typical day’s trading, depending on the route, payload, operating conditions and use of onboard equipment. Overnight charging can then help keep the van ready for the following day.
The electric platform also supports quieter operation, zero tailpipe emissions and the potential for reduced powertrain maintenance requirements. This makes it especially suitable for locations such as town centres, parks, tourist attractions, stadiums, schools, weddings, private events and low-emission zones.
One of the common concerns surrounding electric commercial vehicles is licensing. However, qualifying zero-emission vehicles with a Maximum Authorised Mass of up to 4.25 tonnes may be driven on a standard Category B licence in Great Britain, subject to the applicable conditions. This helps remove one of the perceived barriers for operators considering the switch to electric.
The company added that the launch is not about replacing the heritage of the traditional ice cream van, but building on it.
For generations, ice cream vans have been part of communities across the UK and beyond. Whitby Morrison believes electric technology offers a way to protect that much-loved experience while helping operators prepare for the future.
The first vehicle’s delivery to Hocking’s of North Devon is particularly significant, with the Hocking and Whitby families sharing a long-standing relationship built on quality, trust and a shared commitment to the industry.
The launch also arrives at a time when businesses are under increasing pressure to consider emissions, sustainability and operational efficiency.
For ice cream van operators, the electric eSprinter provides a new option that supports modern trading requirements without losing the familiar customer experience that has made ice cream vans so loved for decades.
Whitby Morrison expects interest in the fully electric ice cream van to grow as more operators consider future vehicle investment, especially those working in areas where emissions, noise and access requirements are becoming increasingly important.
The company is now inviting operators to speak to its team about the new fully electric ice cream van and how it could support their business.
