4 New Electric Vans Just Hit The UK & European Markets

July 30, 20204 years ago Zachary Shahan 0 Comments

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It’s amazing what the threat of massive fines can do for automakers. The European Union has been getting serious about the need for automakers to clean up their fleets, and all of a sudden we’re getting a lot more vehicle models and automakers are actually trying to sell them!

That applies to light-duty vans as well as passenger cars and SUVs. In fact, just in the past week, I’ve seen automakers announce a whopping 4 new electric van models.

Peugeot e-Expert

First of all, we’ve got the fully electric Peugeot e-Expert. You can now order the e-Expert in the UK, with a starting price of £25,053 (excluding VAT but after the Plug-in Van Grant).

The e-Expert can come as a crew van or a panel van, and it is offered in three trims based on wheelbase: Compact, Standard and Long.

There are two battery options as well (50 kWh or 70 kWh), providing the van with a range of either 148 or 211 miles (according to the WLTP testing cycle).

Up to 100 kW rapid charging is possible and for slower, more common charging, you’ve got an 11 kW Wallbox charging option.

“The new PEUGEOT e-Expert is available in three trims: S, Professional and Asphalt. S models are available on the Standard wheelbase, with Professional models available in Compact, Standard and Long wheelbases. Asphalt trim level vehicles come with the Standard wheelbase.” Going further, here’s how Peugeot differentiates the trims:

“In S trim, customers benefit from DAB radio with Bluetooth®, cruise control with variable speed limiter, remote central locking with deadlocking, daytime running lights and a full steel bulkhead. In addition, S trim also features PEUGEOT Connect SOS & Assistance.

“Professional level vehicles feature a seven-inch capacitive colour touchscreen with DAB radio, Bluetooth®, Apple CarPlay™, Android Auto and a coffee break alert which comes on after two hours of continuous driving. Also included is Moduwork® dual passenger bench seat with fold-up outer seats, a fold-down writing table in the central seat back and added storage features.

“Top of the range Asphalt models come standard with PEUGEOT Connected 3D Navigation with voice recognition, a head-up display, Lane Departure Warning System and Speed Limit Recognition and Recommendation. Also standard is Park Assist 180, with a 180-degree rear parking camera and front and rear sensors.

“New PEUGEOT e-Expert models in Asphalt trim also features the Video Advance Emergency Braking System, Collision Alert and Forward Collision Warning technology as standard.”

Citroën ë-Dispatch

Secondly, we’ve got the all-ëlectric Citroën ë-Dispatch van. You can now order it in the UK. The starting price is £25,053 (excluding VAT but after the Plug-in Van Grant).

Load volume = 6.6 m³, payload max capacity = 1,262 kg. Rated range of either 148 or 211 miles (WLTP testing cycle). Perhaps you noticed something by now. Yes, the ë-Dispatch and the e-Expert are basically the same van. Aside from branding and minor differences in specs that may or may not be due to the aerodynamics and weight of the different company emblems.

Thought you already heard about Citroën’s new van? Maybe you’re confusing it with one of the other models the company launched in 2020, the Ami, C5 Aircross PHEV, ë-C4, ë-Dispatch, or ë-SpaceTourer. What did I say about heavy fines incentivizing more EV availability?

Here are some more details on the ë-Dispatch from Citroën, including different options with regards to sizes/trims:

Three trim levels available

The all-ëlectric Citroën ë-Dispatch comes in three well-specified trim levels to meet the needs of fleet and business users:

- The ‘X’ version offers all the essential features you expect in a Citroën LCV. Standard specification includes electric and heated door mirrors, electric parking brake and twin unglazed rear doors opening 180°. Inside, there is air-conditioning, DAB radio with Bluetooth®, Citroen Connect Box with Emergency & Assistance function, and cruise control with a programmable speed-limiter.
- ‘Enterprise’ is arguably the most the most versatile version, adding rear parking sensors, a Thatcham category one alarm, automatic headlights and windscreen wipers, 7-inch colour touchscreen with Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto, and the Moduwork® dual passenger bench, with fold-up outer seat, a fold-down writing table in the central seat back and storage under the central seat.
- ‘Driver’ is made to be a mile-eater, with the addition of Active Safety Brake, driver attention alert, front parking sensors, smart beam headlights, lane departure warning system, blind-spot monitoring, Visio Park 180° rear parking camera and Citroën Connect Nav with voice recognition.

Compact dimensions and three lengths to choose from

- XS (4.60 m long – 50 kWh), which is unique in this segment and hugely practical for use in the city.
- M (4.95 m long – 50 kWh or 75 kWh).
- XL (5.30 m long – 75 kWh).
- Height at 1.90 m is standard specification, ensuring access to the majority of multi-storey car parks.

Choice of two operating ranges

- Up to 148 miles on the WLTP cycle (available in XS and M body styles) fitted with a 50 kWh battery.
- Up to 211 miles on the WLTP cycle (available in M and XL body styles) fitted with a 75 kWh battery.

The warranty period for the battery is eight years or 100,000 miles for up to 70% of battery capacity (battery capacity certification at each service).

Three re-charging solutions and the option of deferred charging

- Home charging, requiring a mode 2 cable (for charging at home, at work or in a car park). Compatible with a standard domestic socket (cable available as an accessory).
- Private or public accelerated charging, needing a ‘Wallbox’ at home and a mode 3 cable. 32A cable (supplied as standard with the vehicle). Charges from zero to 100% in less than 8hours (7.4 kW Wallbox).
- Super-fast charging at a mode 4 public charging point (cable incorporated into charger).
  - Up to 100 kW.
  - Can charge a 50 kWh battery to 80% in 30 minutes and a 75 kWh battery to 80% in 45 minutes.

The same market-leading features as the rest of the Dispatch van range

- Payloads up to 1,262 kg* – a key requirements in this segment.* With cost option payload upgrade. Without driver, value varies according to vehicle options and equipment.
- Towing capability up to 1 tonne, making ë-Dispatch the leader in its segment.
- Load volumes are identical to those of the combustion-engine versions – ranging from the most compact at 4.6 m³ (XS without Moduwork®) to a cavernous 6 m³ (XL with Moduwork®) – at market-leading levels.
- Width between wheel-arches of 25 m is sufficient for European pallets.
- Functional equipment that makes all the difference to commercial vehicle users, including features like Moduwork® that transforms the passenger compartment into a mobile office.
- Almost 100-litres of storage space is available in the passenger compartment.
- Driving comfort is ensured by the variable-stiffness springs, the AMVAC shock absorbers and the suspension setup (Pseudo McPherson struts on the front axle) ensuring precise steering.

Renault ZOE Van

Well, this is certainly an odd one. Especially so with the apparent van that looks just like a little Renault ZOE car. Despite my eyes deceiving me, the vehicle pictured above (and below) is a “New ZOE car-derived van.”

“The All-New ZOE Van is capable of travelling up to 245 miles on a charge, and uses the same powerful 52kWh battery pack and 80kW R110 electric motor as the New ZOE supermini.” It’s a light commercial vehicle (LCV) that comes in two trims, Business and Business+. It offers one cubic meter of cargo space (1,205 mm of length in the load bay and maximum load width of 1,110 mm.) and a 5-year/100,000-mile warranty.

The ZOE Van includes a 50 kW charging option, which can give a 90 mile boost in 30 minutes. It includes 22 kW charging by default, which can fill up the battery from empty in 3 hours.

Here are details on the different trims:

Business Trim

10-inch TFT instrument cluster
7-inch Easy Link infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity
Manual air conditioning
Electric front windows
Renault keycard with handsfree entry
Electrically adjustable heated door mirrors
Automatic headlamps and wipers
Full LED headlamps with C-shape daytime running light
15-inch steel wheels with Michelin EV Energy Tyres
USB socket
Driver and passenger airbags
Isofix points on passenger seat
Front fog lights
Cruise control with speed limiter
Z.E. Voice (low speed pedestrian warning)

Business+ Trim

Satellite navigation
Wireless Smartphone Charging
Rear parking sensors
Rear parking camera
100 per cent recycled seat upholstery
Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
Automatic High Low Beam
Traffic Sign Recognition
Automatic Climate Control
Driver’s one-touch electric window
Electrically adjustable heated door mirrors, electrically folding, finished in body colour
16-inch alloy wheels with Michelin EV Energy Tyres

This joins other Renault PRO+ electric commercial vehicles that have been on the market for years, the Kangoo Z.E. and Master Z.E.

Details on the infotainment system can be found here.

Mercedes-Benz EQV

Ending on the more expensive side of the market, a brand new electric van from Mercedes-Benz, the EQV, comes with a hefty price tag. Starting prices for the different trims are:

EQV 300 Sport — £70,665
EQV 300 Sport Premium — £72,895
EQV 300 Sport Premium Plus — £77,145

What do you get for this much money? Well, you get a 90 kWh battery with 213 miles of range (WLTP), 204 hp, 364 Nm of torque, and a 10–80% fast charge in 45 minutes. You also get the “MBUX infotainment system with EQ-specific features.”