The same isn’t true for the electric van market… not yet anyway. The e-LCV market has huge potential for growth, and fits nicely into the logistics networks, particularly for local deliveries. With zero-tailpipe emissions, they are idea for urban areas, plus payloads and laid space is often minimally compromised - if at all - compared to diesel alternatives.
Take a look at the top 10 e-LCVs on the market currently, ranging from the smallest to the largest models on offer.
Renault Zoe Van
The Renault Zoe Van is based on the supermini of the same name, but removes the rear seats, adds a bulkhead, and blanks off the rear windows. It also includes a handy load shelf, as the Zoe Van is clearly not intended for huge loads, but will prove very useful for smaller deliveries.
It’s no “last-mile” solution however; well, it works perfectly with a minimal driving distance, but with a range of up to 245 miles on a charge, it’s clear that the Zoe Van can cover much longer trips as well. Rapid charging is possible to extend that range further, with 50 kW DC charging possible through a CCS inlet. It’s the same excellent Zoe, only with a van in the back.
Renault Kangoo E-Tech
Renault’s Kangoo has been available as an electric van for many years, but this new version gives the model a comprehensive overhaul. It’s welcome and brings the Kangoo E-Tech not only up to speed, but right up there with the best in its class.
Sharing a platform and powertrain with the Nissan Townstar - which would warrant an equal place on this list - the Kangoo E-Tech gets a 45 kWh battery, 80 kW DC rapid charging capabilities, and a 90 kW electric motor.
Peugeot e-Partner
The Peugeot e-Partner could easily read Citroen e-Berlingo, or Vauxhall Combo-e, or Toyota Proace City Electric. They’re the same model, just with different badges on the front and inside, and is a good way of rapidly growing the e-LCV market thanks to parts sharing.
The e-Partner has a 50 kWh battery and 100 kW electric motor, which allow for a driving range of up to 171 miles on a charge. AC charging is up to 11 kW, but on a rapid charger, a top up to 80% will take as little as half an hour.
Citroen e-Dispatch
The Citroen e-Dispatch could easily read… you get the picture. The Peugeot e-Expert/Citroen e-Dispatch/Vauxhall Vivaro-e/Fiat e-Scudo/Toyota Proace Electric are the same Stellantis Group core model. They also share the same basic powertrain of 50 kWh battery and 100 kW electric motor, though because it’s a larger platform on which to build a van, the e-Dispatch is also available with a 75 kWh battery.
This boosts the range to up to 205 miles on a charge, though the 50 kWh model achieves 148 miles according to the official figures. Charging remains at around 30 minutes for a charge to 80% on a 100 kW DC ultra-rapid charger, or as little as four hours on an AC point when the optional 11 kW on-board charger is fitted.
Mercedes-Benz eVito
It’s a sign of how much potential the e-LCV market has that the likes of Stellantis above, and Mercedes-Benz here, are looking to offer a comprehensive electric line-up. The eVito is Mercedes-Benz’s pure-electric one-tonne van, and will achieve a range of more than 160 miles on a charge.
This is possible thanks to a 60 kWh (net) battery, and power comes from an 85 kW electric motor. Charging will take around six and a half hours from an AC point, or as little as 35 minutes for a 10-80% charge on a rapid unit.
Maxus e Deliver 3
Maxus will be an unfamiliar name for many, but the Chinese manufacturer has an increasingly electric-focused line-up. The eDeliver 3 is the more compact of the range, but still has a payload of just under a tonne, putting it squarely in the mid-sized e-LCV market.
The driving range on offer is as good as 151 miles on a charge on the larger 52.5 kWh battery, though a smaller 35 kWh pack is also available for a lower cost. The motor fitted is rated at 90 kW for either battery, and the smaller battery version still offers 99 miles of range.
Nissan e-NV200
It’s an outgoing model, and one of the first electric vans to be available in the UK, but the e-NV200 remains a useful electric van. Successive updates now see the Nissan share a 40 kWh battery with the best-selling Leaf hatchback, and rapid charging is available too.
Range is as good as 124 miles on a charge, and there are two different body styles available, with a longer and taller option created by a separate firm, but now offered in-house through Nissan.
Fiat e-Ducato
The first of the large vans to appear on this list, the e-Ducato is another Stellantis product, and could also be available as a Vauxhall Movano-e, Peugeot e-Boxer, or e-Relay. The large van offers a range of up to 175 miles on a charge, but there are two battery sizes available.
A 79 kWh pack provides the headline range, though a 47 kWh battery is also available which provides up to 88 miles on a charge. Available as a van or chassis cab, the maximum payload is 1,855 kg, so it’s no lightweight carrier.
Mercedes-Benz eSprinter
The Sprinter has been around for decades, but the eSprinter is rather newer. It’s a highly useful large electric van, as the range is up to 95 miles on a charge, and the Mercedes has DC charging available at up to 80 kW, which keeps top-ups down to half an hour.
The battery is placed under the floor, so load space isn’t compromised, and the eSprinter has a payload of up to 731 kg.
Volkswagen e-Crafter
The VW ID. Buzz is on its way, but until it arrives, Volkswagen’s entry in this list comes down to the e-Crafter large van. Fitted with 35.8 kWh battery, range isn’t huge, but more than 90 miles is possible based on official figures.
It’s a range that is designed for urban delivery routes, but the load space is huge, and charging times are kept low with the relatively compact battery.