Van drivers across the UK are making Christmas happen as the switch from traditional to online shopping means that 100 million parcels will be delivered in December.

New research from Mercedes Benz, who surveyed more than 2,000 van drivers found that 95 per cent feel directly responsible for ensuring the Christmas period happens without a hitch.

The additional workload due to the boom in online orders means that one in five drivers will spend 40 hours working away over Christmas, which is the equivalent of four extra hours per driver per week.

Those millions of parcels being delivered would not be possible were it not for the investment in technology which is helping businesses around the UK grow. Of the drivers surveyed, 36 per cent have said that technology was essential for them to deliver on time and 54 per cent believe that improved technology will be the biggest driver of growth for their business in 2020.

“We’re so lucky that the nations’ hardworking van community gives Father Christmas such a helping hand this time of year,” said Steve Bridge, managing director of Mercedes-Benz Vans UK.

“But with the longer hours and increased pressure, we also need to make sure that they all feel supported and that we express our gratitude to them.”

“From fixing broken central heating, to bringing the new cooker for Christmas day lunch, to delivering the perfect presents and food, to ferrying around revellers on a festive night out, our UK van community works tirelessly to keep us all moving, especially at this time of year, and for that, we salute you all – thank you for all you do.”

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