Current and future standard electric vehicles
Current and future standard E-vans in the market in 2019 - designed for last mile logistic
The market for electric vans suited for last mile logistics is far from matured yet. However, the good news is that some of the biggest OEMs, Volkswagen, Mercedes and Renault e.g. are now entering the market with more interesting models and prices, which will have huge impacts on the market and create scenarios for logistic companies that are more interesting business wise. In the following a short overview of the most common vehicle models in the EU and their characteristics is given.
Electric range: 110 km
Cargo volume: 552–636 kg
The electric versions of these well know van models, are still based on the older models. Unfortunately, that means they use relatively old technology, and therefore have difficulties matching rivals in terms of driving range, payload, cargo volume or performance. The range is set to be 170 km with a modest battery pack of 22,5 kWh, which means that the actual range probably is around 100–120 km. The Berlingo and Partner Electrics come in a choice of L1 or L2 body lengths, with the latter adding an additional 25 cm of bodywork behind the rear wheels to create an extra 0.4 cubic meters of load space. Payload is 636 kg for the L1 model and 552 kg for the L2, although both are well behind the payload range of the now-discontinued combustion engine models (ranging from 648–856 kg). PSA Peugeot Citroen will be producing an electric version of the new Partner and Berlingo Van and they are expected to enter the market during 2020.
Electric range: 100–150 km.
Cargo volume: 6 m3, 1,000 kg
As the eVito uses the same running gear as the eSprinter in a smaller, lighter package, it means the eVito has an all-electric range of 150 km as a standard. Power comes from an 84 kW electric motor, and its instant torque and quiet power delivery mean it's a far more enjoyable and refined van to drive than a diesel Vito with the same power output.
There will be two body lengths offered, but just like the eSprinter, the front-wheel-drive eVito doesn't suffer a drop-in cargo volume with the addition of the electrical system, although payload weights are lower to offset the extra 300 kg added by the battery pack. And like the eSprinter, the eVito comes with a suite of connected services developed by Mercedes and use the company's PRO fleet management software, allowing operators to plan and change routes according to battery life and traffic hold-ups. The eVito is available to order, though it's not officially released just yet. With a 41.4 kWh battery, the new eVito has a 150 km range, and can go up to 100 km in low temperatures. These figures are based on the vehicle having a full load. The battery is also stored underneath the floor, giving it a lower center of gravity and easy access to the load area. It also has an incredible pay-load of 1000 kg and a load space of 6 m3.
Electric range: 100 km.
Cargo volume: 4,000 kg.
The all-electric light-duty truck is Mercedes’ answer to the public’s need for a zero-emission, zero-noise truck for continuously increasing inner-city distribution. In addition to be an eco-friendly vehicle, it is cost-efficient and economical for users, as already proved within customer tests in Europe. The FUSO eCanter has a range of 100 kilometers and a load capacity up to three and a half tons. It carries a battery pack of 83 kWh. The vehicle’s electric powertrain contains six high voltage lithium ion battery packs with 420 V and 13.8 kWh each. In comparison with a conventional diesel truck, it offers savings up to 1,000 Euro per 10,000 kilometers on operating costs. The eCanter could carry a payload of up to 4 tons.
Electric range: 120–150 km.
Cargo volume: 10.5 m3
Mercedes is pushing ahead with its electric van plans on two fronts, with the eSprinter and eVito. The larger Sprinter model will be the second to arrive in 2020, but will use similar tech as the Vito. The eSprinter is based on the front-wheel-drive version of the award-winning Sprinter panel van, and the addition of an electric drive system hasn't impacted on that model's vast 10.5 cubic metres load area. Like all electric vans, the motor is up front where the engine would sit, while the battery pack is located under the floor. Mercedes fits this into a steel cage to help protect it from impact in the even to an accident. That battery will be offered in 41 kWh or 55 kWh forms, which means a driving range of 120–150 km.
Electric range: 275 km.
Cargo volume: 4,2 m3, 750 kg.
Nissan’s bestselling e-NV200 electric van has received an upgrade to its most critical aspect – the driving range. The 2018 model on review here can now travel up to 275 km on a single charge, according the current official calculation method. This gives the electric version of the Nissan NV200 small van the longest driving range of any electric van in the market. Like its diesel-engine sibling, the e-NV200 is available with a van body, as a five-seat combi van, or as the five or seven-seat e-NV200 Evalia people carrier. The e-NV200 comes in just one size, with a 107 bhp electric motor.
Electric range: 200 km
Cargo volume: -
Peugeot has presented the electric version of its Expert transporter, which will be launched in the second half of 2020. This means that all light commercial vehicles from Peugeot are now also available in a purely electric version. As the electric Expert is also based on the PSA Group’s EMP2 platform, the technical data of the drive corresponds to those of the Opel Vivaro-e and Citroën Jumpy. Two different battery sizes (50 and 75 kWh) are offered, which should enable WLTP ranges of 200 and 300 km respectively. Peugeot has not yet provided any information on the load volume or payload capacity – not even whether the values are at the level of the combustion variants or are somewhat lower due to the battery.
Electric range: 230 km.
Cargo volume: 4,6 m3, 650 kg
With the latest Renault Kangoo Z.E, you can drive for around 190 km in real-world conditions before needing to plug in – a whopping 110 km further than the previous electric Kangoo. While the Renault Kangoo ZE’s battery upgrade, taking it from 22 kWh to 33 kWh, is the most important feature of the van. A new 59 bhp electric motor – a variation of the one used in the Renault Zoe – provides the drive for the city van, while the entire electrical system has been upgraded to support fast-charging from a single phase 7 kW charger. The Kangoo ZE is available as a standard-length van, a Kangoo ZE Maxi long-wheelbase version or a Kangoo ZE crew van variant with room for up to five people.
Electric range: 120 km.
Cargo volume: 900 – 1,050 kg.
With the largest Kangoo Maxi ZE coming in at 4.0 cubic meters and the smallest Master ZE at 8.0 cubic meters. The Master ZE shares its running gear with the Kangoo ZE, with the same electric motor fitted. This means performance is acceptable rather than rapid, but while Renault quotes a 200 km electric range in test conditions (NEDC), it's honest about real-world range, offering an achievable maximum of 120 km when it's warm, but only 80 km in the cold. Still, like the standard Master, there are short, medium and long wheelbase versions of the ZE in low and medium roof heights.
Electric range: 120 km.
Cargo volume: 20 m3, 1,150 kg.
With a payload of 1,150 kilograms and a loading volume of 20 cubic meters, the WORK XL is the best in its vehicle class: it reaches speeds of up to 90 kilometers per hour with a range of up to 200 kilometers. This is made possible by the two lithium-ion batteries with a capacity of 76 kilowatt hours. The WORK XL is produced in partnership with Ford. With it, Deutsche Post DHL Group's deliverers are emission free and quietly on the last mile - even in traffic-calmed areas, environmental zones and even indoors - for example in exhibition halls or warehouses.
Electric range: 100 - 170 km.
Cargo volume: 970 kg.
Unlike the two battery capacity versions of the eSprinter, VW will only sell one configuration of the e-Crafter making it a simpler purchase or leasing prospect. Using the withdrawn NEDC method of measuring efficiency, Volkswagen claims an overall range of 170 km, but acknowledges a real-world figure of 150 km is more likely. Even a worse-case scenario of a maximum payload weight in the back and sub-zero temperatures outside, should still result in a range of around 100 km.
Electric range: 110 km.
Cargo volume: 6,7 m3, 695–1,185 kg.
The e-Transporter and e-Caddy have been created with the assistance of German tuning company ABT. ABT takes the standard versions of the Caddy small van and mid-size T6 Transporter and fits the electric drive at its own factory. This means that while the e-Crafter only comes in one body style, there's the option of adding electric drive to a wide range of body styles for the two smaller vans. The e-Caddy claimed to have a range of 120 km by the battery pack of 37.3 kWh, while the e-Transporter has a range of 110 km with the same battery pack (the van's extra weight affects the range). But VW also offers the option of adding a second battery to the T6 that doubles its capacity and takes the van's range up to nearly 400 km.
Top five models sold in Europe in the first half of 2019 are the following models:
- Renault Kangoo Z.E. (33 kWh) - 4,491
- Nissan e-NV200 (40 kWh) - 2,873
- Streetscooter Work - 1,363
- Renault ZOE Van - 812
- Peugeot Partner Electric – 674
Source: https://insideevs.com/news/364169/top-5-best-selling-electric-vans-europe-h1-2019/
Comparison of official electric van driving range
Two general testing methods are used when electric vehicle range is tested. The old test system was named NEDC and the new one and now generally used is named WLTP.
NEDC: New European Driving Cycle
NEDC and NEDC 2 are the previously used test methods for determining fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The NEDC test covers a method of testing the car on a scroll bar where it is driven up and down at speed for a 20 min test period. Here, the driving pattern has covered over land and highway and a maximum speed of 120 km. In practice, this means that you as a consumer will most often find that it is not possible to achieve the stated fuel consumption on your car.
WLTP: Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure
The new test - WLTP - was developed by the EU and includes more realistic test conditions such as more real driving behavior, more different driving situations, longer test distances and more dynamic accelerations and braking. To ensure a better correlation between the results of the common standardized tests and the car's real fuel consumption when driving on a regular road. You will therefore find tests giving different answers because off the different test cycles which has been used during the test. Today you will only find the new WLTP test as a standard indication of range.
| Name of van | Van type / size | Official driving range |
|---|---|---|
| Renault Kangoo ZE 33 (new) | Small Van | 275 km NEDC |
| Nissan e-NV200 40kWh (new) | Small Van | 280 km NEDC |
| Citroen Berlingo Electric (old) | Small Van | 170 km NEDC |
| Peugeot Partner Electric (old) | Small Van | 170 km NEDC |
| VW e-Caddy (cancelled for UK) | Small Van | 260 km NEDC |
| Citroen Berlingo Electric (2021) | Small Van | To be confirmed |
| Peugeot e-Partner (2021) | Small Van | To be confirmed |
| Toyota City Electric (2021) | Small Van | To be confirmed |
| Vauxhall Combo-e (2021) | Small Van | To be confirmed |
| Mercedes eVito (2019/2020) | Medium Van | 215 km (single-battery) / 400 km (twin-battery) |
| VW e-Transporter (2020) | Medium Van | 200–300 km (depending on battery size) WLTP |
| Citroen Dispatch Electric (2020) | Medium Van | 200–300 km (depending on battery size) WLTP |
| Peugeot e-Expert (2020) | Medium Van | 200–300 km (depending on battery size) WLTP |
| Toyota Proace Electric (2020) | Medium Van | 200–300 km (depending on battery size) WLTP |
| Renault Master ZE | Large Van | 190 km NEDC |
| Mercedes eSprinter (2020) | Large Van | 115–150 km (depending on battery packs) |
| VW e-Crafter (2021) | Large Van | 170 km NEDC |
| MAN eTGE (2021) | Large Van | 170 km NEDC |
| Ford Transit Electric (2021) | Large Van | To be confirmed |
| Iveco Daily Electric | Large Van | Varies with number of battery packs |
| Citroen Relay Electric (2020) | Large Van | 160–225 km (depending on battery size) |
| Peugeot e-Boxer (2020) | Large Van | 160–225 km (depending on battery size) |
| Fiat Ducato Electric (2020) | Large Van | 225–330 km (depending on battery size) |
Source: Table based on https://www.parkers.co.uk/vans-pickups/advice/electric-van-guide/