For landscaping businesses, the van is far more than a means of getting from A to B. It’s a mobile workshop, a secure tool store, a towing vehicle and often the most visible representation of your business on the road. As vehicle technology evolves and operating pressures increase, choosing the right van has never been more important.
The annual Commercial Vehicle Show brings together latest advances in vans and is well worth landscape contractors large and small popping down to the NEC Birmingham on 21, 22 or 23 April to check out what’s new.
Billed as the UK’s largest event dedicated to commercial vehicles, the show unites manufacturers, converters and industry experts to showcase the latest vans, pick-ups and fleet solutions.
For landscapers daily relying on their vehicles, the event offers the chance to compare options side by side and gain clear answers to practical, real-world questions.
Vans designed for working environments
Landscaping places unique demands on light commercial vehicles. Payload capacity, durability and ease of access are critical, as is the ability to adapt a vehicle to carry a wide mix of equipment, from hand tools and plant to mowers, compact machinery and bulk materials.
Show visitors can explore a wide range of small, medium and large vans, alongside pick-ups that are increasingly popular with contractors working across mixed terrain. Importantly, many vehicles are displayed with working conversions rather than bare load spaces, allowing visitors to see how racking systems, load liners, tipper bodies and secure tool storage function in practice.
For growing businesses, the chance to speak directly with vehicle manufacturers and approved bodybuilders can help ensure a new van is specified correctly from the outset, saving costly modifications later on.
Electric vans: separating fact from fiction
The rise of electric vans is one of the biggest talking points in the industry but for many landscapers, the practicalities still raise questions. Payload trade-offs, towing ability, charging access and real-world range are all key considerations, particularly for businesses operating outside major urban areas.
One of the strengths of the CV Show is that it allows visitors to have in-depth conversations about these issues with the people designing and supplying the vehicles. Rather than relying on headline figures, landscapers can explore how electric and alternative-fuel vans perform in day-to-day use, including stop-start work, seasonal mileage spikes and mixed urban-rural routes.
The show also brings together charging infrastructure providers, energy specialists and telematics companies, giving visitors a broader picture of how electric vans can be integrated into a working business, now or in the near future.
Safety, compliance and peace of mind
Vehicle safety and compliance are growing increasingly important, particularly for businesses running multiple vehicles or employing staff drivers. Suppliers will showcase technology designed to improve safety, protect vehicles and reduce risk.
Tech covers camera systems, driver assistance technology, telematics and vehicle safety equipment, all of which can help reduce incidents, support insurance requirements and provide valuable insights into vehicle use. For landscaping businesses, these systems can also highlight inefficiencies, improve driver behaviour and help extend vehicle lifespan.
With regulations and best practice continuing to evolve, the show provides a useful opportunity to understand what changes may be coming and how to prepare for them.
Practical insight through seminars and talks
Alongside the exhibition floor, the show will feature a full programme of conference sessions and seminars, designed to address the challenges faced by businesses operating commercial vehicles – from sole traders to larger fleet operators.
Sessions of particular relevance to landscapers include:
• Managing rising vehicle and fuel costs
• Preparing for low-emission zones and future regulation
• Understanding total cost of ownership when replacing vehicles
• Improving fleet efficiency and reducing downtime
The focus is firmly on practical guidance rather than theory, making these sessions useful even for those who don’t manage a formal fleet.
A relevant audience, not a generic trade show
While the CV Show spans the entire commercial vehicle sector, its visitor base reflects a strong mix of construction, agriculture, home services and mobile service businesses, sectors that share many operational similarities with landscaping.
This creates an environment where landscapers are surrounded by peers facing comparable challenges, from tight margins and seasonal demand to recruitment and compliance pressures. For many visitors, this makes the show as much about learning from others as it is about seeing new vehicles.
Saving time by seeing everything in one place
For busy contractors, time away from site has to be justified. The Show allows landscapers to:
• Compare multiple vehicle brands in a single visit
• View different conversions and configurations side by side
• Speak directly with technical experts rather than sales intermediaries
• Gain insight into future developments that may affect purchasing decisions
Whether you’re actively planning a vehicle replacement or simply want to stay informed about what’s coming next, the show offers a comprehensive snapshot of the market in just one day.
Looking ahead
As vehicles become more complex and operating conditions more demanding, staying informed is increasingly important. The show provides landscapers with a chance to step back from day-to-day pressures and take a clear, informed look at the tools that underpin their business.
For anyone whose livelihood depends on reliable, efficient transport, it’s an opportunity worth considering.
The Commercial Vehicle Show 2026
📍 NEC Birmingham
📅 21–23 April 2026
🎟️ Free to attend