by 
The Curious Bag
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A step van is a light-duty delivery truck that can be driven either standing up or sitting down and generally allows the driver to stand in the cargo area. Common step vans are bakery, postal and courier trucks.
Origins
According to CarHistoryBlog.com, some form of the step van has been in existence since the early 1930s through manufacturers Divco, International Harvester and the White Motor Co.
Types
In addition to bakery trucks, step vans have evolved into mobile libraries, mobile police and fire command posts, United Parcel Service and FedEx trucks, and flower delivery vehicles.
Today's Step Vans
General Motors, Ford, Boyertown, Utilimaster, Chevrolet and Freightliner produce a line of step vans for a variety of services.
Specifications
A mid-1990s Chevrolet P30 step van sits on a 120-inch wheelbase and features a 4.3-liter V-6 General Motors engine with an L80 GM automatic transmission and aluminum body, according to UsedStepVan.com.
Durability
Most step vans possess the same mechanics and body styles over many years. A mid-1990s Chevy, for example, can accumulate nearly 200,000 miles but remain on the job due to careful maintenance.
Conversions
Most step van dealers offer conversion services to customize a vehicle to suit the needs of the customer, such as installing freezers for an ice cream vendor.
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