Sector Analysis Large vans


LOOK OUT FOR FOUR TO FORD E-TRANSIT


The E-Transit has two motor options available, outputs of 184hp and 269hp. When these on-paper figures are combined with the immediate response of an electric powertrain, on-road performance is impressive. Leaving the city-confined aspirations of rivals far behind, the E-Transit is very comfortable with motorway work and also around town, with its immediate acceleration and no gears to change making urban work a doddle. The E-Transit comes with a 68kWh


battery allowing maximum range of 197 miles on the official WLTP combined cycle, dependent on spec. An L2H2 model will go that far but our L3H2 Trend test vehicle manages 156 miles, although this still stacks up well against the competition.


IVECO EDAILY


A 15–80% battery charge is possible in 34 minutes via a DC charger, while a full three-phase 230V charge takes eight hours. Crisp steering makes the van easy to place on the road and cornering is good, thanks to the suspension limiting body roll. The ride is reasonably firm with potholes absorbed with minimal disruption. The brakes are good too, providing plenty of stopping power without any lurching.


Sample model: Ford E-Transit Trend 350 L3H2 135kW Engine size 188hp 140kW electric Payload


Load volume


960kg 11.0m3


Battery range CO2


Price (ex VAT)


156mls 0g/km


£53,385


The eDaily portfolio of vans, chassis cabs and crew cabs gross from 3.5 to 7.2-tonnes, neatly mirroring the diesel line-up. It includes the 42S, which at 4.25t can be driven on a car driver’s licence as a special concession – although any driver allocated will be compelled to undergo five hours of specialist training. Other limitations include the requirement for an MoT test every 12 months from first registration. Maximum van load volume is a whopping 19.6m3


. The chassis cab has


a flat chassis with the same mounting points as the diesel model. Operators can select models with one, two or three battery packs offering 37kWh, 74kWh and 111kWh respectively, with claimed ranges extending from 68 to 186 miles, according


to the WLTP combined cycle. Iveco claims an eDaily 42S with three batteries can achieve up to 248 miles on the urban cycle fully-laden. Opt for two batteries on a 3.5t van and your maximum gross payload is 1,100kg; but three batteries on a 4.25t van takes top gross payload to 1,415kg. Batteries can be added during a vehicle’s life if requirements change. Removing a battery boosts payload capability by 270kg.


Sample model: Iveco eDaily H2 3520 3.5-tonne van Engine size 188hp 140kW electric Payload


Load volume


986kg 10.8m3


Battery range CO2


Price (ex VAT)


146mls 0g/km


£74,480


PEUGEOT E-BOXER


The e-Boxer comes with a choice of two battery sizes: a 37kWh, or the larger 70kWh that we tested, which achieves a 139-mile range between charges in official WLTP testing. It can be recharged to 80% capacity in one hour using a 50kW DC charger, or alternatively a 100% charge with a 22kW or 7.4kW wallbox, taking nine and 12 hours respectively. The e-Boxer is available with a choice of three vehicle lengths, and as either a panel van or a window van. The location of the van’s battery under the floor of the vehicle means there is no reduction in the size of the load space compared with a diesel Boxer – although the weight of the battery with


RENAULT MASTER E-TECH


the specifications tested here means a reduced gross payload. An electric motor output of 120hp might not sound like much for a large van – and is a surprise given that smaller Stellantis vans come with more powerful motors – but in the urban areas where we would expect the e-Boxer to spend most of its time it performs reasonably well.


Sample model: Peugeot e-Boxer Van Professional L3 H2 435 Engine size 120hp 70kW electric Payload


Load volume


740kg 13.0m3


Battery range CO2


Price (ex VAT)


139mls 0g/km


£57,035


The Master E-Tech’s powertrain comes from the Zoe, Renault’s electric city car that has been tweaked for use in the Master. Compared with the old electric Master, battery capacity is up from 33kWh to 52kWh, increasing driving range from 74 to 125 miles on the official WLTP cycle. Maximum power output has remained at just 76hp, and in a large van such as the Master that is a bit lacking. Performance is helped by the 225Nm torque figure, although it is lacking the usual EV nippiness away from the line. Performance once you’re up and running is reasonable around town and acceleration is acceptable up to the 55mph limited maximum speed, which means extended motorway drives are not advisable.


The electric powertrain helps to make life easy for drivers with no gears to change and refinement is good thanks to the soundless powertrain.The steering is pretty lazy and while ride quality is reasonable, it can be unsettled by road surface imperfections, but there are no harsh edges. Drivers expecting a futuristic, high- tech environment to go with the electric powertrain will be disappointed.


Sample model: Renault Master E-Tech Engine size 76hp 52kW electric Payload


Load volume


1,279kg 10.8m3


Battery range CO2


Price (ex VAT)


125mls 0g/km


£43,400


34


WhatVan? November 2023


www.whatvan.co.uk


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