Sector Analysis | Compact vans
Big gains for small vans I
In a declining market microvans bucked the trend by posting sales increases at the start of 2025, James Dallas reports
n a tough market for new LCVs that has seen three consecutive months of falling sales, small vans bucked
the trend in February by posting a rise in registrations of 55.3% to 427 units, according to the SMMT. Over the first two months of the year, sales of these sub-two-tonne models were up 74.6% to 1,095. Tese figures represent a contrast to the same period last year when this niche sector shrank by 20% and looked as though it could be in terminal decline. Te arrival on the market of microvans such as the Bento, which is manufactured by Renault’s mobility brand Mobilize, has no doubt given the segment a much- needed shot in the arm. Te Bento is an electric quadricycle designed for urban deliveries, measuring 2.54m long.
A 10.3kWh battery allows a range of up to 93 miles between charges. Power comes from a 48V electric motor, taken from the hybrid version of Renault’s Austral passenger car. Te Bento’s cargo box has a 649-litre capacity. Sales of compact vans weighing between 2.0 and 2.5-tonnes tumbled 33% to 2,119 in February year-on-year and were down 31.4% to 5,626 in the year to date. Tree compact vans were among the
10 best-selling LCVs during the first two months of the year: the Citroen Berlingo, Peugeot Partner and Ford Transit Courier. Electric vans are strongly represented in compact van sectors and, according
to the SMMT, overall BEV sales grew 55.1% in February year-on-year to 1,413 units, equating to a market share of 9.7%. Despite this increase, it remains well short of the 16% market share stipulated by the government for 2025 in its ZEV Mandate. According to the leasing comparison website
Leasing.com, the Nissan Townstar and Renault Kangoo E-Tech were two of the models leading demand for electric vans in 2024, accounting for 27% and 20% of enquiries on the website respectively. Stellantis has launched a new Plus trim level for its compact vans – the Citroen Berlingo, Fiat Doblo, Peugeot Partner and Vauxhall Combo. Standard equipment with the new mid- range spec includes a 10in touchscreen
with Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity and ‘natural’ voice recognition. Also standard is a three-seat bench seat
with a load-through bulkhead (replacing the entry-level single passenger seat and solid bulkhead), which provides an increased load volume of up to 4.4m3
.
An electric parking brake is also included, while the vans are all available with a choice of diesel or electric powertrains. Prices for the Berlingo with the new spec
start at £21,595 (excluding VAT) for a diesel version, and £26,455 (excluding VAT and including the government’s plug-in Van Grant) for an EV. Tese prices are the same for the Doblo, while for the Partner they are
Stellantis has launched a new Plus trim level for its stable of compact vans, including the Peugeot Partner (pictured)
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