Case study — Food & drink
Cafe2U's new all-electric coffee van
We build mobile coffee vans for Cafe2U, the UK's largest mobile coffee franchise. The latest generation raises the bar: an all-electric van with the entire coffee conversion — espresso machine, ovens, fridges and water — powered by lithium batteries. No diesel generator. No emissions. No noise.
The partnership
Coffee vans for the UK's biggest mobile coffee brand
Cafe2U pioneered emissions-free mobile coffee — swapping diesel generators for lithium batteries across its fleet and launching the world's first all-electric coffee van, as part of its drive to become a carbon-neutral coffee company.
Dack builds those vans. Working to Cafe2U's franchise specification, we take brand-new base vehicles and hand-build them into complete mobile coffee shops at our Lincoln conversion centre — fit-out, equipment, electrics, water and livery, ready for a franchisee to start trading.
The newest 2025 build is the most advanced yet: an all-electric van where everything — driving and serving — runs without a drop of diesel.
The power system
All-electric,
end to end
A coffee van lives or dies by its power. Our Cafe2U electrical platform is built on Victron Energy components — designed, installed and commissioned in-house:
- Victron LiFePO4 smart lithium battery bank
- 5kVA Victron inverter/charger — mains-grade power on board
- Victron Lynx DC distribution system
- Smart charging that tops the bank up on the move
- Touch-screen monitoring at the serving hatch
The result: enough clean, silent power to run a twin-group espresso machine, heated cabinets and fridges through a full day's trading — with no generator to fuel, service or shout over.
Inside the van
A complete coffee shop in the back of a van
Every 2025 build leaves Lincoln ready to trade — coffee machine commissioned, fridges cold, water flowing.
- Twin-group commercial espresso machine
- Heated food display cabinet
- Twin glass-door display fridges
- Filtered, pumped fresh water system
- Rear serving counter with point-of-sale area
- Cafe2U control panel with Victron touch-screen monitoring
- LED lighting throughout
- Full Cafe2U livery and graphics
More about Cafe2U
Fancy one of your own?
Whether you're exploring a Cafe2U franchise or want a coffee van built to your own brand, the same team and the same platform are behind both.
Want a coffee van that earns from day one?
Electric or diesel, franchise spec or your own brand — we'll build the van and the power system to match your ambitions.