City-Car

Citroën is probably most famous for its quirky design, and the latest cars from the brand live up to this tradition, featuring paintwork-protecting ‘Airbumps’ and eschewing the sporty looks favoured by most rivals.

Indeed, Citroën tends to keep away from sportiness altogether and instead tries to put comfort first.

Value (but not cheapness) is also key to the appeal of most Citroëns. And the company’s range includes everything from small hatchbacks (such as the C1 and C3) to big, family-friendly seven-seaters (the Spacetourer and Grand C4 Spacetourer).

The C3 Aircross SUV is another of its popular models, while a larger C5 Aircross is planned.

CITROEN

These days, promoting a business is usually done via social media, adverts or&nbsp;leaflets through letterboxes, but an <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-electric-vans-2022/n21136">electric van</a> like this Citroën Ami Cargo can do the job well too.

You see, the Ami is one of the most distinctive and head-turning vehicles you can buy right now, so it could be ideal for attracting attention to your enterprise.

So, what exactly is an&nbsp;Ami Cargo? Well, it's the commercial version of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/ami/city-car/review/n23515">Citroën Ami</a> and, strictly speaking, we shouldn't call it a van – it's a quadricycle. In place of the Ami's passenger seat, it has&nbsp;a cargo module designed to carry all sorts of work-related paraphernalia.

It's available with left-hand drive only, and you don’t need a full driving licence to drive one in the UK. You need a Category AM&nbsp;licence, which is essentially a moped licence that allows a holder over 16 years old to drive two-wheeled or three-wheeled vehicles at up to 28mph.

Does this van/quadricycle have any rivals? Well, sort of. The Citroën Ami Cargo is in a unique position because its next closest rivals are the passenger Ami or a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/twizy/city-car/used-review/n17986">used Renault Twizy</a>. More directly, it goes up against car-based electric vans such as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/zoe-van/van/review/n22211">Renault Zoe Van</a>.

Is it worth your consideration? To find out, we’ve put it through its paces and rated it in all the important areas, including practicality, performance and comfort. We’ll tell you how it scored, and also have a look at how it stacks up against the competition.

Once you've decide which vehicle&nbsp;is best for you, remember that we can help you find the best leasing deals through our free <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/car-leasing/">What Car? Leasing</a> section. It allows you to get a quote for whichever make and model fits your personal or business needs.

Or, if you plan to buy a car, make sure you search for the lowest prices using our free <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">New Car Deals</a> pages.

Tiny electric van is&nbsp;fun and surprisingly practical if you work in a low-speed area, but doesn't feel safe above 30mph

Citroën Ami Cargo electric van

Electric Van

Of the group of quadruplets that it’s a part of, the Citroën Berlingo is probably the best known. In van-with-windows form, its no-nonsense practicality made it a firm family favourite, and the unglazed commercial version uses its adaptable nature to earn money for the many businesses that buy them.

And now, along with its <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/e-partner/van/review/n23711">Peugeot e-Partner</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/proace-city-electric/van/review/n23710">Toyota Proace City Electric</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/combo-e/van/review/n23708">Vauxhall Combo-e</a> relatives, you can buy it with electric power.

The Citroën e-Berlingo is a small electric van with a commendably sizeable range. It uses the same 136bhp electric motor as its near-identical siblings, with power coming from a 50kWh battery pack. Officially, that battery gives the e-Berlingo enough stamina to travel for 171 miles.

<iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/y0MqTcdenlY" width="560"></iframe>

So as not to tread on each other’s feet, each of the four aforementioned electric vans appeal to a specific niche in the market. The Vauxhall e-Combo, which has the lowest specification of the bunch, is cheaper than the e-Berlingo, which – along with the very slightly swisher Peugeot e-Partner – is aimed squarely at satisfying the needs of large commercial fleets.

The Toyota Proace City Electric is more lavishly equipped, but pricier, and aimed at those independent operators and tradesmen who keep their vans for the long term.

Like the others, the e-Berlingo can carry a payload of up to 800kg, with two body sizes available, from 3.3m3 to 4.4m3 of cargo. There are two trim levels to choose from; Enterprise Pro or more generously equipped Driver Pro. This latter version is rather more lavish than its Renault Kangoo ZE, Nissan e-NV200 or Maxus E Deliver 3 rivals.

There's never been more choice for those seeking the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-electric-vans-2023/n21136">best electric van</a>&nbsp;so read on to find out if the e-Berlingo is the right van for you and your business.

e-Berlingo

A very capable, practical small electric van

Citroën e-Berlingo electric van

It’s not uncommon for car and van manufacturers to work together to launch a new product. Pooling their resources lowers the development cost, and most customers will never know that their vehicle shares many of its components with at least one other model.

That’s the route that the Citroën ë-Relay has been down. It might be the latest large electric van to hit the market, but we’ve already seen its siblings, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/e-boxer/van/review/n24544">Peugeot e-Boxer</a> and Vauxhall Movano-e.

The ë-Relay is also the last van in Citroën’s current line-up to be electrified, following on from the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/e-berlingo/van/review/n23712">ë-Berlingo </a>and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/dispatch/van/review/n22958">ë-Dispatch</a> models.

Unlike those two models, though, the ë-Relay isn’t built by <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/citroen">Citroën</a> itself. Instead, and like the e-Boxer and Movano-e, it’s built by a third-party electric vehicle specialist. The company,&nbsp;Bedeo, converts a conventional <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/relay-2019/van/review/n22193">Citroën Relay</a>&nbsp;in Turkey before it’s shipped to the UK.

Will the fact that it’s a third-party product rather than a Citroën original help or hinder the ë-Relay? That’s what we’ll find out over the next few pages of this review.

We’ll take you through the battery and motor options available, telling you what it’s like to drive and what kind of electric range you can expect to get from a full charge.

We'll also tell you what the interior quality is like, how much cargo it can haul and, ultimately, how it compares with its key <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-electric-vans-2021/n21136">electric van</a> rivals, including the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/e-transit/van/review/n24074">Ford E-Transit,</a> <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/e-sprinter/van/review/n22228">Mercedes eSprinter</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/master-ze/van/review/n20172">Renault Master ZE</a>. 
 
Once you've decided which model is best for you, we can help you find the best leasing deals through our free<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/car-leasing/"> What Car? Leasing</a> section. You can use it to get a competitive quote for the car or van that fits your personal or business needs.

e-Relay

The Citroën ë-Relay is the last piece in the jigsaw for its maker's now fully electric van range, but it's a third-party conversion that fails to live up to the factory-made quality of the smaller Citroën electric vans, and can’t match rivals in most areas.

Citroën e-Relay electric van

Look at the&nbsp;Citroën ë-Dispatch and you could be forgiven for having the feeling that you’ve seen this <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-electric-vans-2023/n21136">electric van</a> somewhere before.

Well, you probably have, because the ë-Dispatch is almost identical to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/expert/van/review/n22957">Peugeot e-Expert</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/proace/van/review/n23068">Toyota Proace Electric</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/vivaro-e/van/review/n22197">Vauxhall Vivaro Electric</a>&nbsp;–&nbsp;which are, in essence, the same van with minor trim and badging changes.

The ë-Dispatch and those related vans are near the forefront of the electric revolution in the commercial vehicle world (although they were preceded by the smaller&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/e-berlingo/van/review/n23712">Citroën ë-Berlingo</a>). They're also designed to address buyers' worries about electric vans.

We know from your correspondence that buyers are concerned&nbsp;about the fact that they&nbsp;can carry less than their combustion-engined counterparts because they have to lug around the weight of heavy batteries. Range is also a worry.

Well, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/citroen">Citroën</a> offers the ë-Dispatch with the choice of two battery sizes: 50kWh and 75kWh, allowing buyers to opt for price or ultimate range as they see fit. The smaller of the two gives the model an official range of 143 miles, while the larger-battery model can cover 205 miles officially. Obviously, the amount of stuff you’re carrying and how cold it is outside will affect the actual range.

All models have a 134bhp electric motor producing 192lb ft of torque, and it drives the front wheels through a single-speed transmission. It’s the same powertrain as you’ll find in not only the related vans but also numerous family vehicles from Citroën, Peugeot and Vauxhall. The advantage the ë-Dispatch has is that, unlike the passenger cars,&nbsp;it's also offered with the larger battery.

It's also available in&nbsp;three body sizes, so it should be attractive to everyone from those looking at a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/kangoo/van/review/n18460">Renault Kangoo</a> Maxi&nbsp;all the way up to those who require a full-sized van (load volumes range from&nbsp;5.1m3&nbsp;to 6.6m3). Better still, the payload capacity isn’t actually that far off what its diesel counterpart can carry.&nbsp;

As you'll see in our guide to the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-electric-vans-2023/n21136">best electric vans in the UK</a>, there’s certainly no shortage of competition for the ë-Dispatch –&nbsp;it faces a range of rivals including the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/maxus/e-deliver-3/van/review/n22665">Maxus e Deliver 3</a>, the Mercedes eVito, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/nissan/e-nv200/van/review/n20139">Nissan e-NV200</a>&nbsp;and, of course, the three related vans. There are also several <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/hybrid-cars/n17013">hybrid</a> models you could consider, including the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/transit-connect/van/review/n20263">Ford Transit Custom PHEV</a>&nbsp;and the London taxi-based&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/levc/vn5/van/review/n21988">LEVC VN5</a>. A fully electric Transit Custom isn’t that far off&nbsp;either.

Read on over the next few pages of this review to find out how we rate the Citroën ë-Dispatch. When you've decided which van is best for you, we can help you find the best car or van leasing deals if you search for a quote using our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/car-leasing/">What Car? Leasing&nbsp;pages</a>.

DISPATCH

Electric van offers decent practicality and lots of comfort, but costs more to buy than some rivals

Citroën ë-Dispatch electric van

The Fiat E-Doblo is the first all-electric version of the Doblo van and follows on from zero-emissions versions of the E-Ducato and E-Scudo.

The E-Doblo certainly has potential to be a class-leading electric van because a previous incarnation of the diesel <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/doblo-cargo/van/review/n18505">Fiat Doblo</a> won an International Van of the Year&nbsp;award.

It’s also one of several <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-small-vans/n20723">small vans</a> from Fiat’s parent company Stellantis that are now available in electric form. So, the E-Doblo is closely related to the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/e-berlingo/van/review/n23712">Citroën e-Berlingo Van</a>, Peugeot e-Partner and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/combo-e/van/review/n23708">Vauxhall&nbsp;Combo Electric</a>.&nbsp;

While there’s very little mechanically and electrically different between the four models, Fiat has done what it can to make the E-Doblo stand out – as we’ll explain in this review.

Read on to find out whether the Fiat E-Doblo is the leader of the pack or falls behind the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-electric-vans/n21136">best electric vans</a>&nbsp;–&nbsp;which also include the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/ecitan/van/review/n26086">Mercedes eCitan</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/kangoo-e-tech/van/review/n20116">Renault Kangoo E-Tech</a>.

Modern Fiats fall into two categories: the retro models and those with more functional designs.

Cars in the first camp appeal to the heart and include the 124 Spider sports car and the 500 series: a hatchback, a convertible, an SUV and two MPVs.

By contrast, the remaining models rely on their practicality and attractive pricing, with the Panda city car, Tipo hatchback and Fullback pick-up truck all prime examples.

Fiat can trace its roots back to the 19th century but is now part of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles group, along with Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Jeep and Maserati.

FIAT

DOBLO

The E-Doblo is a practical electric city van that's cheaper than closely related rivals

Fiat E-Doblo van

The Fiat E-Ducato <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-electric-vans-2023/n21136">electric&nbsp;van</a>&nbsp;hails from Italy, where physicist Alessandro Volta first harnessed electricity back in 1800 –&nbsp;so you could argue that it's been a long time coming.

The e-Ducato is based on the pre-facelift version of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/ducato/van/review/n18227">Fiat Ducato</a> van, which means it looks and feels a bit&nbsp;more dated than its diesel-powered stablemate.

On the plus side, it's available&nbsp;with a choice of two batteries – a 47kWh unit and a larger pack that will hold 79kWh – and a full spread of body styles. There are&nbsp;three lengths and three roof heights in panel van form, and three lengths and four wheelbases in its chassis-cab version.

Both panel van and chassis-cab models give you the choice between a 3.5-tonne and a 4.25-tonne gross vehicle weight.&nbsp;

If you’re in the market for an electric van, the e-Ducato gives you plenty of options. But is that enough to get you to choose it? Well, read on and we’ll tell you more about it, including what it’s like to drive, what it’s like to sit in, and of course, what you’ll be able to lug around in it.&nbsp;

Once you've decided which van to get, remember that&nbsp;we can help you find the best leasing deals through our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/car-leasing/">What Car? Leasing&nbsp;pages</a>. The free service allows you to get a&nbsp;quote for whichever make and model of car or van fits your personal or business needs.

E-Ducato

Electric van has a usable range, lots of safety systems and a range of bodies and batteries

Fiat E-Ducato electric van

In the world of vans, this new Ford E-Transit is as big a piece of news as it's possible to get.&nbsp;

You see, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/transit/van/review/n18188">Ford Transit</a> is an icon. It's the model that defined its segment, and has been used by builders, bakers and bank robbers alike for so long that, for many people, it's what they picture when you say the word 'van'.

The fact that <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/ford">Ford</a> is now making the Transit available as an <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/category/electric-van">electric van</a> is nothing short of seismic. So, what's it all about?

Well, the conversion from diesel-powered icon to electric trendsetter has not been a simple one,&nbsp;and certainly isn’t as straightforward as swapping the engine and gearbox for a motor and batteries.

The electrical and mechanical elements of the E-Transit have had to be made specifically for the model, and include a completely different rear axle and suspension set-up to the one in the diesel Transit. Then, of course, the motor,&nbsp;batteries and electrical architecture had to be fitted.

<iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ibQu8OKDlnI" width="560"></iframe>

Ford isn't the first&nbsp;manufacturer to go&nbsp;down the electric route with their vans, though.&nbsp;The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/master-ze/van/review/n20172">Renault Master E-Tech</a> has been electrified for several years, while the more recent <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/e-sprinter/van/review/n22228">Mercedes eSprinter</a> has been finding homes among its large proportion of fleet admirers.

Both those vans are direct competitors to the E-Transit, but as you will find out, they are limited in their approach. The Maxus E Deliver 9, the successor to the cheap and cheerful LDV EV80, presents a more convincing line-up, but can it match the sheer popularity of the Ford?

Keep reading the next few pages of this review to find out how the Ford E-Transit compares with the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-electric-vans-2021/n21136">best electric vans</a> in terms of performance, interior quality, day-to-day usability and, of course,&nbsp;load-lugging ability. We'll also let you know whether it should be on you or your company's shopping list and whether it has what it takes to&nbsp;be the catalyst that gets more people driving&nbsp;electric vans.

But spoiler alert: we named the Ford e-Transit the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/van-and-commercial-vehicle-awards-2023-overall-winner/n25170">overall winne</a>r in our 2023 Van and Commercial Vehicle Awards. Still, if it's not the one of you, take a look at our list of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-electric-vans-2023/n21136">best EV vans</a> on sale today.

And remember, we can help you find the best leasing deals through the free&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/car-leasing/">What Car? Leasing</a>&nbsp;section, where you can get a quote for whichever make and model of&nbsp;car or van fits your personal or business needs.

Ford builds some of the most popular cars in the UK, including the Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks.

This success is partly down to longevity and the fact that there’s a Ford dealer around every corner. However, it’s also because Fords tend to offer good value and be among the best cars in their respective classes to drive.

The company’s huge range also helps; it offers everything from the small – but surprisingly practical – Ka+ to the large and lavishly equipped Edge SUV.

Meanwhile, other highlights of the range include the S-Max and Galaxy people carriers, the Mondeo executive car and the Ranger pick-up.

FORD

E-Transit

Electric transit van offers an attractive&nbsp;mix of performance, payload and price

Ford E-Transit electric van

The Iveco eDaily aims to bring zero-emissions credibility and the potential for ultra-low running costs to the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-large-vans-2023/n20727">large van</a> market, as businesses of all shapes and sizes realise that electric motoring can work for, er, work.

The eDaily isn't alone in that, of course. Notable <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-electric-vans-2023/n21136">electric vans</a> already on the road include the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/e-relay/van/review/n24565">Citroën e-Relay</a>, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/maxus/e-deliver-9/van/review/n24737">Maxus e Deliver 9</a> and the What Car? Award-winning <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/e-transit/van/review/n24074">Ford E-Transit</a> (among a few others).

To stand out from the crowd, the eDaily has a unique feature:&nbsp;you can add more batteries over time. You see, a company focusing on local deliveries, for example, might find that they only need a single battery module to begin with, then decide later that they need a longer range. With this model, a&nbsp;dealership can fit a second or third battery.

Elsewhere, the eDaily aims to bring many of the same advantages as the regular <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/iveco/daily/van/review/n22571">Iveco Daily</a>. That means offering a vast array of sizes and configurations in the hope that there’ll be a variant to appeal to most businesses. They include a chassis cab, crew vans with seating for up to seven, and a minibus with capacity for up to 22 passengers.

There’s little to distinguish it from its diesel-engined sibling, save for some blue trim around the front grille and an eDaily badge on the lower bumper.

So how does&nbsp;the Iveco eDaily stack up against its rivals, and is it worth a spot on your shortlist? In this review we’ll cover what it's like to drive, what it’s like inside and how much it can carry.

And remember, we can help you find the best leasing deals through our free <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/car-leasing/">What Car? Leasing</a> section, where you can get a quote for whichever make and model of car or van fits your personal or business needs.

Iveco

Daily Electric

Large electric van is expensive compared with rivals but does have the option of adding battery modules for extra versatility

Iveco eDaily electric van

The Maxus eDeliver 3 could be the electric van that&nbsp;convinces you to go green – but before we get into why, you might well be wondering what Maxus is.

Well, it's a name that adorned a number of LDV-made vehicles&nbsp;over the years. Since the brand’s take-over by Chinese consortium SAIC, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/maxus">Maxus</a> has become the lead name for the relaunched company.

Having acquired the Maxus name, SAIC set to work, launching the LDV V80 and LDV EV80 in quick succession, and also promising a pipeline of new models.&nbsp;The first to arrive was the e Deliver 3, an&nbsp;all-electric city van that stands out immediately for straddling the line between small vans and medium-sized ones.

You can also order the eDeliver 3 as a chassis cab that's 10mm shorter than the traditional van. There are two battery sizes available, and if you decide to upgrade&nbsp;to the biggest, the official range is up to 151 miles.

As <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-electric-vans/n21136">electric vans</a> have gradually become more mainstream, their styling has largely been toned down so that seeing one doesn’t cause you to do as much of a double-take as it once did. As such, it’s strange to the eDeliver 3's eye-catching look. Still, its plastic moulded wings and bonnet are a blessing for accident-prone van drivers.

The Maxus eDeliver 3 competes with small electric vans such as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/kangoo-e-tech/van/review/n20116">Renault Kangoo E-Tech</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/e-partner/van/review/n23711">Peugeot e-Partner</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/berlingo/estate/review/n23857">Citroen e-Berlingo</a>, as well as mid-sized models that include the Mercedes eVito and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/vivaro-e/van/review/n22197">Vauxhall Vivaro-e</a>. Read on to find out how it performs...

MAXUS

E DELIVER 3

The eDeliver 3 is a relatively low cost&nbsp;electric van but has a disappointing interior and limited appeal

Maxus eDeliver 3

Entering the super-competitive medium van market with a model only available with electric power – as Maxus is doing with this&nbsp;Maxus eDeliver 7 – is a brave move.

After all, none of the eDeliver 7's rivals fall particularly short in any area. Indeed one of them, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/vivaro-e/van/review/n22197">Vauxhall Vivaro Electric</a>,&nbsp;was our first&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/awards/van-awards">Van of the Year</a> (when it was known as the Vivaro-e).

Options also include four more Stellantis vans that are closely related to the Vivaro Electric: the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/dispatch/van/review/n22958">Citroën ë-Dispatch</a>, Fiat e-Scudo, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/expert/van/review/n22957">Peugeot e-Expert</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/proace/van/review/n23068">Toyota Proace Electric</a>. Plus, there's the electric version of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/vito/van/review/n18152">Mercedes Vito</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/id-buzz-cargo/van/review/n24958">VW&nbsp;ID Buzz Cargo</a>&nbsp;– although they cost more and can carry less than the eDeliver 7.

Potentially stiffer competition is coming from an influx of all-new models, including the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2023-ford-e-transit-custom-electric-van-revealed-price-specs-and-release-date/n24525">Ford E-Transit Custom</a> and an electric <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/trafic/van/review/n18803">Renault Trafic</a> plus a next-generation&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/abt-etransporter-61/van/review/n22641">VW e-Transporter</a>.

So, is the Maxus eDeliver 7 strong enough in terms of performance, handling, electric range and load-carrying ability to beat the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-electric-vans/n21136">best electric&nbsp;vans</a> out there? Read on to find out...

eDeliver 7

The eDeliver 7 electric medium van offers great load-carrying abilities and lots of standard equipment

Maxus eDeliver 7

You may never have heard of Maxus before, but if you’re in the market for a new electric van, then the new Maxus eDeliver 9 is well worth paying attention to.

Maxus is no stranger to the electric large van market, and the e Deliver 9’s underpinnings were designed with electric power in mind. Sold alongside the diesel Deliver 9, this electric version has already secured a strong following, including securing several household names in the courier and home delivery segments.&nbsp;

Its success lies in the fact it was among the first large vans to market with a usable real-world range in excess of 200 miles. This gives it a big advantage over such rivals as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/e-sprinter/van/review/n22228">Mercedes eSprinter</a> and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/master-e-tech/van/review/n20172">Renault Master ZE</a> – an advantage that’s extended when you factor in the eDeliver 9’s much broader choice of battery sizes and bodies. Indeed, the versatile <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/e-transit/van/review/n24074">Ford E-Transit</a> is its closest rival in this regard.&nbsp;

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That said, you might also consider the eDeliver 9’s smaller sibling, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/maxus/e-deliver-3/van/review/n22665">Maxus eDeliver 3</a>, which promises a similar blend of a decent range, high levels of equipment and a reasonable price, or the mid-sized <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/maxus/edeliver-7/van/review/n26632">Maxus eDeliver 7</a>.

Read on to find out how the Maxus eDeliver&nbsp;9 stacks up against the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-electric-vans/n21136">best electric vans</a>...

E Deliver 9

The eDeliver 9 electric van is relatively expensive but there are lots of versions to choose from

Maxus eDeliver 9

They say two's company and three's a crowd&nbsp;but the Mercedes eCitan&nbsp;sits in both camps: as well as being suited to company use, it's also part&nbsp;of crowd.

You see, the eCitan is a small electric van that shares lots of parts with two other models – the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/kangoo-e-tech/van/review/n20116">Renault Kangoo E-Tech</a> and the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/nissan/townstar/van/review/n26092">Nissan Townstar EV</a>.

They all have the same motor and batteries, and are available in regular and long-wheelbase versions, but Mercedes has added its own imprint to make its model stand out from&nbsp;those related vans, plus other competitors.

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Rivals include&nbsp;the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/e-berlingo/van/review/n23712">Citroën&nbsp;ë-Berlingo Van</a>, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/doblo/van/review/n26658">Fiat E-Doblo</a>, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/e-partner/van/review/n23711">Peugeot e-Partner</a>, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/proace-city-electric/van/review/n23710">Toyota Proace City Electric</a> and the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/combo-e/van/review/n23708">Vauxhall Combo Electric</a>.

So, is the Mercedes eCitan among the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-electric-vans/n21136">best electric vans</a> you can buy, or will you be better off picking one of the other models available? Read on to find out...

Mercedes’ line-up is vast – ranging from the A-Class family hatchback through to staple saloons such as the C-Class and E-Class, and onwards towards multiple SUVs, luxury saloons and even sports cars. Coupés and convertibles are thrown into the mix as well.

As one of the ‘big three’ German brands, Mercedes most often finds itself competing with Audi and BMW but more recently has found itself fending off Jaguar and Volvo, too.

Mercedes models are known for comfort. One example of this is the E-Class, because while the Audi A6 has a plusher interior and the BMW 5 Series handles better, the E-Class is probably the most comfortable for a long motorway journey.

MERCEDES-BENZ

eCitan

The eCitan is a strong contender in the small electric van class although some rivals cost less

Mercedes eCitan

The German word for improvement can also mean a correction, and while it’s safe to say that the latest Mercedes eSprinter is an improvement on the previous one, it also&nbsp;puts right some of its failings.

And that's crucial, because the eSprinter is up against the biggest name in the electric van world – the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/e-transit/van/review/n24074">Ford E-Transit</a>. It’s also a precursor to Mercedes’ ambitions to launch a large van on a bespoke electric vehicle&nbsp;platform. In other words, a&nbsp;lot is riding on it.

For now, the eSprinter remains a reworked version of the diesel-engined <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/sprinter/van/review/n18217">Mercedes Sprinter</a> but gets&nbsp;an improved range, more power, a wider choice of body sizes and better payloads than the first-generation model.&nbsp;

So, is the latest Mercedes eSprinter good enough to compete with&nbsp;the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-electric-vans/n21136">best electric vans</a> and take the fight to its main rivals, including the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/master-e-tech/van/review/n20172">Renault Master E-Tech</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/maxus/e-deliver-9/van/review/n24737">Maxus eDeliver 9</a>? Read on to find out...

e-Sprinter

The eSprinter&nbsp;electric van can carry big volumes, decent payloads and is good to drive

New Mercedes eSprinter

Nissan isn’t particularly known for commercial vehicles in the UK, but this&nbsp;Nissan Townstar EV&nbsp;is part of a resurgence in its line-up – it's&nbsp;a small <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-electric-vans-2023/n21136">electric van</a> that replaces the e-NV200.

It’s also a 'shared platform van', because it's built by Renault and is available as the Townstar EV,&nbsp;the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/kangoo-e-tech/van/review/n20116">Renault Kangoo E-Tech</a> and the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/ecitan/van/review/n26086">Mercedes eCitan</a>&nbsp;– all of which are in many ways very similar.

Of course, the three brands like to do some things a little differently, so in this review we’ll look at what <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/nissan">Nissan</a> offers that sets it apart from those rival&nbsp;vans. We'll let you know what it's like to drive and use the Townstar EV – in short, whether it's a van we'd recommended buying.

The Nissan Townstar EV isn't just up against the related vans from Mercedes and Renault of course, so we've also rated it against a few other models you might be considering:&nbsp;the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/berlingo/estate/review/n23857">Citroën ë-Berlingo</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/e-partner/van/review/n23711">Peugeot e-Partner</a> and the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/combo-e/van/review/n23708">Vauxhall Combo Electric</a>. And if you like the look of the Townstar&nbsp;but don't want to go electric yet, have a look at our list of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/the-best-small-vans-2023/n20723">best small vans</a>.

Once you've picked your next work vehicle, we can help you find the best leasing prices too – just check out the deals on the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/car-leasing/">What Car? Leasing pages</a>.

Nissan turned up early to the SUV party, with its Qashqai paving the way for the countless models we see today. The Qashqai continues to sell in big numbers in the UK, too, and was also our overall Car of the Year in 2014.

Don’t think Nissan is just about SUVs, though. As well as the Qashqai, the smaller Juke and the larger X-Trail, the Japanese brand has the Micra hatchback, GT-R sports car and Navara pick-up truck.

Nissan was also one of the first big car makers to launch a fully electric car, with its latest Leaf being one of the best on the market.

Despite being based in Japan, Nissan has long committed to building cars in the UK, making several of its best-selling models at a huge factory in Sunderland.

NISSAN

Townstar

Electric city van offers good value for money, plenty of choice of specs&nbsp;and is easy to drive

Nissan Townstar EV

When the Nissan e-NV200 was first introduced in 2014, it was seen as&nbsp;just a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/nissan/leaf/hatchback/review/n17338">Nissan Leaf</a> with a van body, but in reality, it's so much more. The unconventional size of the e-NV200 – it's taller than most other small vans – meant it was immediately more suitable to businesses wanting to maximise carrying capacity&nbsp;in a zero-emission van. And while the market for electric vehicles&nbsp;was still relatively immature back then, the e-NV200 has&nbsp;found itself a role in the best and biggest blue chip fleets in the years since.&nbsp;

The first models were fitted with a 24kWh battery pack, providing a&nbsp;realistic real-world range&nbsp;of less than 60 miles. However, in 2018&nbsp;the e-NV200 was upgraded with a new 40kWh battery that has boosted its official range to&nbsp;174 miles, or in&nbsp;excess of 100 miles in real-world conditions. That still&nbsp;may not sound like much, but any&nbsp;increase in range is as significant psychologically as it is practically.

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The latest e-NV200 is suitable for a wider range of users than early versions, then. And for added peace of mind, it's worth&nbsp;considering just how often you actually need your van to cover more than&nbsp;50-60 miles in a day. Particularly under&nbsp;urban delivery&nbsp;conditions, it could be that&nbsp;your van seldom exceeds&nbsp;100 miles. Concern over range limitations is less relevant&nbsp;when longer&nbsp;journeys are less frequent.

Like its&nbsp;diesel-engined sibling, the e-NV200 is available with a van body, as a five-seat combi van, or as the five&nbsp;or seven-seat e-NV200 Evalia people carrier. The e-NV200 comes in just one size, with&nbsp;a 107bhp electric motor. Three trim levels are available, comprising&nbsp;entry-level Visia, mid-range Acenta and top-spec Tekna.

Although electric vans are far from dominant in the segment, the Nissan e-NV200 has a surprising amount of competition that includes the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/kangoo/van/review/n20116">Renault Kangoo ZE</a>, and the electric versions of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/berlingo-cv/van/review/n20217">Citroën Berlingo</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/partner-electric/van/review/n20151">Peugeot Partner</a>, as well as a forthcoming Volkswagen e-Caddy. Larger electric vans include the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/master-ze/van/review/n20172">Renault Master ZE</a> and the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/e-crafter/van/review/n20142">Volkswagen e-Crafter</a>.

e-NV200

The largest capacity fully electric city van on sale, so ideal for those who cover low mileage.

Nissan e-NV200 electric van

Van makers having been weighing up (literally) the case for and against large electric vans for years. After all,&nbsp;it's hard to create a big vehicle that can carry a heavy payload and still have a useable electric range. More and more buyers want large electric load-luggers, though, which is why the new Peugeot e-Boxer is here.

The e-Boxer is&nbsp;the last of the Peugeot van range to be electrified, but while the smaller <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/e-partner/van/review/n23711">e-Partner</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/expert/van/review/n22957">e-Expert</a> are created in-house by the French car maker, the conversion of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/boxer/van/review/n18206">Peugeot Boxer</a> to run on a motor and battery&nbsp;was handled by specialist firm Bedeo.

It's heading into a market that's quickly filling up with rivals, too. The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/master-ze/van/review/n20172">Renault Master ZE</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/e-sprinter/van/review/n22228">Mercedes eSprinter</a> have been on sale for some time, while the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/e-transit/van/review/n24074">Ford E-Transit</a> recently arrived to disrupt the electric van sector (and, indeed, the van sector as a whole).

Credit must be given to <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/peugeot">Peugeot</a> for not simply giving us one version of the e-Boxer. There are two battery sizes and three body lengths available, all of which come with a standard high roof. Underneath, the e-Boxer is closely related to the Citroën e-Relay and Vauxhall Movano-e, which are also Bedeo conversions.

Keep reading the next few pages of this review to find out how the Peugeot e-Boxer compares with the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-electric-vans-2021/n21136">best electric&nbsp;vans</a>&nbsp;in terms of performance, interior quality, day-to-day usability and, of course,&nbsp;load-lugging ability. We'll also let you know whether it should be on you or your company's shopping list, and whether it provides a convincing case for more large van drivers to go electric.

And remember, we can help you find the best leasing deals through the free&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/car-leasing/">What Car? Leasing</a>&nbsp;section, where you can get a quote for whichever make and model of&nbsp;car or van fits your personal or business needs.

Peugeot has its strongest model line-up for some years, with some of its cars now rated by our testers as being among the very best available.

Highlights focus around the firm’s newest SUVs, the 3008 and 5008. The 5008 was named Large SUV of the Year at the 2018 What Car? Awards, thanks to its appealing blend of space, interior quality and low running costs.

That bodes well for future launches, too, because many of the learnings from these cars will be passed on as new versions of existing cars are launched – something that could take many years, because the Peugeot range is so big, ranging from an entry-level supermini with the 108 to an executive saloon with the 508, up into the SUV range and also vans.

Buyers should evaluate some of the lower-rated cars in the range more carefully, though. Some are now quite old, and are subsequently left behind in terms of quality when compared with the opposition, making them below-average buys, in our estimation.

PEUGEOT

e-Boxer

The Peugeot e-Boxer neatly completes the full electrification of the Peugeot van range, but it is not up to the standard of the smaller vans. The third-party conversion has created an electric van that's usable enough,&nbsp;but one that doesn’t have the quality or appeal of factory-made rivals.

Peugeot e-Boxer electric van

If you've been put off the idea of an <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-electric-vans-2021/n21136">electric van</a> by range and payload concerns, the&nbsp;Peugeot e-Expert could be the answer.&nbsp;

Based on the medium-sized <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/expert/van/review/n20207">Peugeot Expert</a> van, which shares its underpinnings with the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/dispatch/van/review/n18249">Citroen Dispatch</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/proace/van/review/n20243">Toyota Proace</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/vivaro/van/review/n18281">Vauxhall Vivaro</a>, the e-Expert is a near carbon copy of the diesel version, with the obvious difference that it's electric-powered

It's available in three body sizes, with load volumes that span from 5.1m3 to 6.6m3,&nbsp;opening it up to a great number of buyers than&nbsp;the battery-powered <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/proace/van/review/n23068">Toyota Proace Electric</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/vivaro-e/van/review/n22197">Vauxhall Vivaro-e</a>. So whether you&nbsp;want a full-sized van or something similar to the diminutive <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/kangoo-e-tech/van/review/n20116">Renault Kangoo E-Tech</a>, it has you covered.

As for the all-important range issue, a choice of 50kWh and 75kWh batteries give the e-Expert an official range of 143 or 205 miles respectively, according to the WLTP test procedure. All vans are powered by a 100kW (134bhp) electric motor producing 192lb ft of torque.&nbsp;

So, read on through this review to find out what the Peugeot e-Expert is like to drive, how good the interior is, how much it will cost to run and more.

We'll also tell you whether it has what it takes to get ahead of rivals in the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-electric-vans-2021/n21136">electric van</a> class. There are plenty of alternatives to consider, including the&nbsp;Mercedes-Benz eVito and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/maxus/e-deliver-3/van/review/n22665">Maxus E Deliver 3</a>. There’s also several plug-in hybrid models to consider, including the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/transit-connect/van/review/n20263">Ford Transit Custom PHEV</a> and the London taxi-based <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/levc/vn5/van/review/n21988">LEVC VN5</a>.

Don't forget, we can help you find the best leasing deals through the free <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/car-leasing/">What Car? Leasing</a> section, where you can get a quote for whichever make and model of&nbsp;car or van fits your needs.

Expert

A sensible real-world range, a big selection of body sizes and plenty of standard kit count in the e-Expert's favour, but rivals cost less and interior space is a bit cramped.

Peugeot e-Expert electric van

Perhaps Peugeot has a particularly stubborn set of executives, engineers or designers that has enabled it to break ranks from ‘the norm’ when it comes to its Peugeot e-Partner small electric van.

You see, the e-Partner was developed alongside the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/e-berlingo/van/review/n23712">Citroën e-Berlingo</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/proace-city-electric/van/review/n23710">Toyota Proace City Electric</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/combo-e/van/review/n23708">Vauxhall Combo Electric</a>, with all four models the same in most respects. However, while this extends to the interior designs of the others, the e-Partner gets a bespoke dashboard, which features the i-Cockpit layout from the brand’s passenger cars.

This means it has an unusually small steering wheel that you look over rather than through to see the instruments, and results in a more contemporary and sporty feel.

On the other hand, underneath all four vans are identical, pairing a 134bhp&nbsp;motor with a 50kWh battery. It’s the same setup that you get in the larger <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/expert/van/review/n22957">Peugeot e-Expert</a>&nbsp;–&nbsp;although that model is&nbsp;also available with a 75kWh battery.

Still, in the e-Partner 50kWh is enough for up to 171 miles of range between charges, at least according to the official tests. Plus, the van has a payload of up to 800kg and can move up to 4.4m3 in its load area if you go for the larger of the two body sizes on offer.

Its diesel sister, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/partner/van/review/n20209">Peugeot Partner</a>, is offered in a wide range of trims, including some geared specifically towards fleet buyers and people looking for vans capable of going off-road. However, the e-Partner comes in just two trims: Professional Premium and Asphalt Premium.

Professional Premium offers a mid-level specification, while Asphalt Premium adds features pitched at drivers who will spend longer behind the wheel. In this respect, the e-Partner is the same as the e-Berlingo, whereas the entry-level Combo-e is cheaper and less generously equipped, and the Toyota Proace City Electric aimed at buyers willing to pay more for a very high level of standard kit.

Aside from its siblings, rivals to the Peugeot e-Partner&nbsp;include the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/maxus/e-deliver-3/van/review/n22665">Maxus E Deliver 3</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/ecitan/van/review/n26086">Mercedes e-Citan</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/kangoo-e-tech/van/review/n20116">Renault Kangoo E-Tech</a>. But whatever you choose, take a look at our rundown of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-electric-vans/n21136">best electric vans</a> to buy today.

e-Partner

The Peugeot e-Partner provides an affordable entry-point into electric van ownership that will appeal to both fleets and private users. Not only is it more relaxing to drive than combustion-engined rivals, but it should be much cheaper to run and is every bit as practical.

Peugeot e-Partner electric van

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Amazon recruited 15,000 more British workers to cope with soaring demand for home deliveries. Many of the extra staff were tasked with driving packages to your front door – and that's a&nbsp;job this new Renault Kangoo E-Tech&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-electric-vans-2023/n21136">electric van</a> seems perfectly suited to.

You see, the Kangoo E-Tech is aimed mainly at businesses looking for a vehicle for doing lots of local drop-offs. It’s a rival to three other small electrified vans: the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/berlingo/estate/review/n23857">Citroën ë-Berlingo&nbsp;electric van</a>, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/e-partner/van/review/n23711">Peugeot e-Partner</a> and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/combo-e/van/review/n23708">Vauxhall Combo Electric</a>.

And if you follow the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/awards/van-awards">What Car? Van Awards</a> you'll know that the Kangoo E-Tech also comes with a huge wave of expectation. That's because the regular <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/kangoo/van/review/n18460">Renault Kangoo</a> is our favourite small van, being great to drive, practical and comfortable.

The Kangoo E-Tech&nbsp;gets a bigger battery than its predecessor (called the Z.E.), with a 45kWh usable capacity rather than 33kWh, adding crucial extra miles to its range from a full charge. It also has a new electric motor with 121bhp – well up on the 59bhp of&nbsp;the previous model –&nbsp;and a lot&nbsp;more space inside.

It's&nbsp;available in two body lengths, giving buyers some choice on what size of van they go for. You can only have a panel van variant with two front seats right now, but there is a crew cab option coming later in 2023 with&nbsp;seats for five people.

There are also two trim levels to choose from, and we’ll get into what each offers you – and which one we think you should pick – later in this review. As well as equipment, we’ll also look at what the new Kangoo E-Tech is like to drive and live with, and whether it deserves a spot on your new electric van shortlist.

And if you’re interested in leasing a new van, don't forget that then we can help you find the cheapest deals if you search our free&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/car-leasing/">What Car? Leasing pages</a>.

Hatchbacks, SUVs, hybrids, electric cars: Renault makes them all, in a variety of shapes and sizes, meaning&nbsp;it has a line-up designed to tempt pretty much everyone.

From the roadside, the standout feature of all its cars is design, with them instantly recognisable as members of the Renault family, without being so similar that they fall&nbsp;into the Russian doll trap. However, in terms of ability they're a mixed bag,&nbsp;ranging&nbsp;from very good to no better than average.

Models that fall into the former camp include the Clio small hatchback and Megane E-Tech electric car, while the smaller Zoe electric car is also impressive in most respects; it's just a pity Renault omits key safety kit.

On the other hand, the Captur, Arkana and Austral SUVs are all outclassed by several rivals.

Renault has some exciting new models planned, including a new Scenic (this time it will be an electric SUV instead of a conventionally powered MPV) and two cars that reimagine classic Renaults: the 4 and 5.

RENAULT

Kangoo E-Tech

A compelling small electric van choice, with a big battery, a decent range and&nbsp;plenty of performance

Renault Kangoo E-Tech electric van

Big vans don’t usually make for convincing electric vehicles, but slowly and surely there are more options for buyers to choose from –&nbsp;and the latest to join the fray is the Renault Master E-Tech.

The new Master E-Tech – which shares many electrical components with the smaller <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/kangoo/van/review/n20116">Renault Kangoo E-Tech</a> – follows&nbsp;on from the older Renault Master ZE. It uses the same electric motor as that model, giving it 76bhp and 166lb ft of torque, but now has a bigger battery (52kWh), for an official range of 124 miles.

Unfortunately for <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/renault">Renault</a>, all those numbers are significantly down on many of the rival <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/category/electric-van">electric vans</a> out there,&nbsp;including&nbsp;the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/e-transit/van/review/n24074">Ford E-Transit</a>, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/maxus/e-deliver-9/van/review/n24737">Maxus eDeliver 9</a> and the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/e-sprinter/van/review/n22228">Mercedes eSprinter</a>.

On top of that, despite its new name and electric set-up, the Master E-Tech is an elder of the large van world, hindered by an ageing chassis, which is a legacy of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/master-2019-new/van/review/n20295">Renault Master</a> diesel van.&nbsp;Still, while the van itself is old, the technology its fitted with is improving, and the Master E-Tech represents an improvement over the Master ZE, with more safety features and driver comforts.

Renault has also increased the range – as in model range, not electric range – of the electric Master van. The French manufacturer has added&nbsp;to the three wheelbases and two body lengths of the previous&nbsp;model with an extra height size.

There are now three gross vehicle weights available, to make use of the increased allowance for electric vans when driven on a car licence. That means payloads of up to 1.2 tonnes and load volumes of up to 15m3.

Over the next few pages of this review, we'll tell you everything you need to know about the Renault Master E-Tech – from what the performance is like to how it compares for running costs with the best rivals.

When you decide which van to get, we can help you find the best leasing deals through our free&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/car-leasing/">What Car? Leasing</a>&nbsp;section, where you can get a quote for whichever make and model of&nbsp;car or van fits your personal or business needs.

Master E-Tech

Very practical large electric van is available in a good range of variants but lags behind the best rivals

Renault Master E-Tech electric van

The Toyota Proace City Electric might not be the first model that springs to mind when you think of the Japanese brand and commercial vehicles – you’re probably picturing something pick-up truck-shaped with a Hilux badge – but we think perhaps it should be.

You see, this Proace City Electric&nbsp;van is the result of some nifty collaboration between <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/toyota">Toyota</a> and the Stellantis group (Peugeot, Citroën and Vauxhall). That means it has three siblings: the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/e-berlingo/van/review/n23712">Citroën e-Berlingo</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/e-partner/van/review/n23711">Peugeot e-Partner</a> and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/combo-e/van/review/n23708">Vauxhall Combo-e</a>.

Each vehicles&nbsp;has different styling, and also has a slightly different take on what customers expect from an electric van. The Proace City Electric is for drivers who don’t want to scrimp on kit – it’s available with just one trim level which gets you all the equipment you’re likely to want.

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It costs more than its siblings, and is aimed at buyers&nbsp;who work&nbsp;for themselves&nbsp;and&nbsp;need&nbsp;a ruthlessly reliable van that’s comfy and has lots of features to make life on the road bearable.

Two wheelbase options are available, giving the Proace City Electric a maximum load volume of up to 4.4m3 (the same as the diesel <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/proace-city/van/review/n22091">Toyota Proace City</a>). Payload limits are up to 800kg, which is impressively for a van lugging round a 50kWh battery pack and a 134bhp motor. Electric range is officially up to 168&nbsp;miles on a full charge.

Aside from vans it shares underpinnings with,&nbsp;rivals for the Proace City Electric are actually relatively sparse. They will include&nbsp;the forthcoming Renault Kangoo E-Tech and Mercedes eCitan, although you might also consider slightly larger vans which are still viable city runabouts, including the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/nissan/e-nv200/van/review/n20139">Nissan e-NV200</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/maxus/e-deliver-3/van/review/n22665">Maxus E Deliver 3</a>.

Not content with having a commercial vehicle version, the Japanese manufacturer&nbsp;also offers a people carrier with seats for up to seven, the Toyota Proace City Verso Electric.

In this review we’ll tell you what the Toyota Proace City Electric is like to drive and live with, rating its performance, interior, running costs and more, to help you work out whether it's a good fit for your business. If it's not, we've also produced a rundown of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-electric-vans-2023/n21136">UK's best electric vans</a>.

We can also&nbsp;help you find the best leasing deals for personal or business use through our free&nbsp;<a href="https://whatcar.com/car-leasing/">What Car? Leasing</a>&nbsp;section.

Toyota is a company undergoing a quiet revolution, as it works hard to replace its sensible but somewhat bland reputation with one for being a bit more daring, in areas such as the styling of its cars and its enthusiastic leadership of cutting-edge technology, such as hybrid systems.

That process seems to be working for buyers, with the hugely popular and striking-looking C-HR SUV in particular attracting a great deal of interest. The latest version of the hybrid Prius is also rated highly by What Car?; it’s the first Prius to go on sale that our testers have felt can truly compete all round with existing petrol or diesel rivals.

However, it’s worth noting that this period of transition is also a work in progress, and that many of the firm’s cars are still rated as being no more than average among class rivals by our testers.

TOYOTA

Proace City Electric

Offers a decent range, a long list of equipment and decent driving dynamics

Toyota Proace City Electric van

Toyota is more associated with hybrid models, so even several years after its introduction, the Toyota Proace Electric&nbsp;remains&nbsp;something of a departure for the Japanese brand.

Its&nbsp;arrival shouldn't come as too much of a surprise, though. Like the diesel&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/proace/van/review/n20243">Toyota Proace</a>, the electric version is based on the same platform as the Citroen e-Dispatch, Peugeot e-Expert and Vauxhall Vivaro Electric.

All four vans are produced by the mighty Stellantis Group (once known as PSA),&nbsp;and are available in two battery sizes: 50kWh and 75kWh. They give the Proace Electric – which is powered by a 100kW (134bhp) electric motor producing 192lb ft of torque – an official range of 142 and 205 miles respectively, according to WLTP tests.

Unlike its relatives, the Proace Electric is not available in a range of body styles&nbsp;and sizes. Instead, Toyota has chosen to offer just one mid-length vehicle to meet the needs of its key market – namely small&nbsp;and medium-sized fleets, which account for more than 95% of its van sales.

Rival&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-electric-vans-2021/n21136">electric vans</a> include the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2023-ford-e-transit-custom-electric-van-revealed-price-specs-and-release-date/n24525">Ford E-Transit Custom</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/id-buzz-cargo/van/review/n24958">Volkswagen ID Buzz Cargo</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/maxus/e-deliver-3/van/review/n22665">Maxus E Deliver 3</a>.&nbsp;There are also several hybrid models to&nbsp;consider, including the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/transit-connect/van/review/n20263">Ford Transit Custom PHEV</a> and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/levc/vn5/van/review/n21988">LEVC VN5</a>&nbsp;(a van based on the TX electric taxi).

This Toyota Proace Electric review will tell you all you need to know about running one, including what it's like to drive, whether it's good value, how big&nbsp;the load space is and how it compares with its rivals. We have full separate reviews of the closely related&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/dispatch/van/review/n22958">Citroen e-Dispatch</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/expert/van/review/n22957">Peugeot e-Expert</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/vivaro-e/van/review/n22197">Vauxhall Vivaro Electric</a>.

Proace

The Toyota Proace Electric shares its bits with a formidable range of electric vans. It may not have the wide choice of its siblings, but the Proace Electric matches them in every other way with a quiet, capable and practical van.&nbsp;

Toyota Proace Electric van

If you’ve been keeping up with the electric revolution at all you will know that the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/corsa-e/hatchback/review/n21183">Vauxhall Corsa-e</a> is quite well regarded when it comes to the new influx of <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-electric-cars-2022/n17000">electric&nbsp;cars.</a>

It might surprise you, however, to find out that the electric Vauxhall Vivaro medium-sized van makes use of some of the same technology as the small car –&nbsp;quite a statistic when you consider the electric Vivaro’s payload allowance is not too far off the 1.5-tonne kerb weight of the Corsa-e.

Vauxhall has just one plated vehicle weight (3.1-tonnes) for the Vivaro-e, but there are both long and short wheelbase versions available. There’s only one roof height, but you can still get up to 6.6m3 in the loadspace and transport up to 1226kg. The loadspace of the electric Vivaro is completely unchanged from the combustion engine version too, which means it can transport lengths up to 2.8m.

For many, the range of electric vans is not only a concern but a barrier to buying one, but Vauxhall has addressed that with the option of two different battery sizes: 50kWh or 75kWh battery choices give the Vivaro-e official ranges 143 or 205 miles according to the WLTP test procedure.

Charging the battery from 0-80% can take as little as 32 minutes using a 100kW rapid charger, but the Vivaro-e also supports single phase 7.4kW charging, and has the option of three phase 11kW charging. These would take 7 hours 30 minutes and 4 hours 45 minutes to charge the smaller battery, respectively.

Power comes from a 100kW (134bhp) electric motor producing 192lb ft of torque.

As well as being available as a panel van, the Vauxhall Vivaro-e also comes as a double cab van and is available in a choice of two trim levels – Dynamic and Elite.

Competition in the mid-sized electric van segment is heating up, most notably from the the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/dispatch/van/review/n22958">Citroen e-Dispatch</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/expert/van/review/n22957">Peugeot e-Expert</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/proace/van/review/n23068">Toyota Proace Electric</a>, with which the Vivaro-e shares most of its technology and its underpinnings. In this review you'll find out whether it's the right choice for you and your business, but if not, take a look at our list of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-electric-vans-2023/n21136">best EV vans</a>.

Remember, we can help you find the best leasing deals through the free&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/car-leasing/">What Car? Leasing</a>&nbsp;section, where you can get a quote for whichever make and model of&nbsp;car or van fits your personal or business needs.

Vauxhall has an incredibly diverse range of cars on sale, a few of which stand out above the class average. Add in the fact that it still offers some of the largest Target Price discounts in the market (something it is trying, without huge success, to cut back on), and there are very good reasons to consider buying one of its better models.

However, you need to choose carefully, because it is also a brand in transition. It has a newish parent company – the same one that owns Citroën, DS and Peugeot. And while Vauxhall’s newer models tend to be competitive, some of the others feel dated; a quick check of our star ratings will reveal which is which.

Still, given the recent success of sister brands Citroën and especially Peugeot, each new launch should make its range more appealing to buyers.

VAUXHALL

Vivaro-e

The Vauxhall Vivaro-e has a decent real-world range, and a payload which matches its diesel counterpart. A high list price counts against it, however, and the interior could be more spacious for the driver.

Vauxhall Vivaro-e electric van

If Bob the Builder weren't hampered by being fictional, the new Volkswagen ID Buzz Cargo might be the van he'd choose to drive.

Firstly, it's an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-electric-vans-2023/n21136">electric van</a>&nbsp;so&nbsp;Bob would be doing his bit to reduce exhaust emissions. Secondly, it looks like nothing else on the road, so the eyes of more potential customers would be drawn to Bob's signage. And thirdly, it lives up to its Cargo name, allowing him to carry all the tools and equipment he might need to fix up the houses of Sunflower Valley.

You might recognise the Buzz Cargo as being the&nbsp;van variant of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/idbuzz/mpv/review/n24946">VW ID Buzz</a> electric MPV – itself part of a growing collection of <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/volkswagen">Volkswagen</a> electric cars&nbsp;(with plenty more on the way). Unlike with other commercial vehicles, none of its parts are shared with other brands.

That doesn't mean the ID Buzz Cargo can have everything its own way, though. It faces a growing field of rivals, including the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/maxus/e-deliver-3/van/review/n22665">Maxus e Deliver 3</a> and the upcoming Custom variant of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/e-transit/van/review/n24074">Ford E-Transit</a>. Other potential rivals include the electric version of the similar-sized <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/vito/van/review/n18152">Mercedes Vito</a>&nbsp;(the eVito) and the smaller <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/kangoo-e-tech/van/review/n20116">Renault Kangoo E-Tech</a>.

There’s only one power option and one battery pack for now&nbsp;– although more options will come in time – and the Buzz Cargo's&nbsp;environmental credentials extend beyond the zero-emissions drivetrain to the use of recycled plastics in the interior.

Keep reading this review to find out how the VW ID Buzz Cargo compares with rival&nbsp;electric <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-medium-vans/n20726">medium vans</a>&nbsp;in terms of performance, interior quality, day-to-day usability and, of course,&nbsp;load-lugging ability. We'll also let you know whether it should be on you or your company's shopping list, and whether it has what it takes to&nbsp;be the catalyst that gets more people driving&nbsp;electric vans.

We can also help you find the best leasing deals through our free&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/car-leasing/">What Car? Leasing</a>&nbsp;section.

The VW Group famously spends more money on research and development than any rival – and as a result, perhaps it should be no surprise that our testers rate its cars so consistently highly.

The fact that many of those cars use the same underpinnings also helps, because it means that if they get it right once, they have the foundations to keep on getting it right.

However, the Volkswagen brand faces plenty of tough competition, often from within, because the rapidly rising Seat and Skoda brands that are also part of the group have access to the same technology.

VOLKSWAGEN

ID Buzz Cargo

It’s easy to like the Buzz Cargo, with its long electric range, instant power delivery and advanced driver assistance technology, but it's an&nbsp;expensive choice

Volkswagen ID Buzz Cargo electric van

The Volkswagen e-Crafter was unveiled as a concept at a commercial vehicle show in Hanover in 2016, and two years later this large <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-electric-vans-2023/n21136">electric&nbsp;van</a>&nbsp;– based on the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/crafter/van/review/n18277">VW Crafter</a> – hit the road.

The first e-Crafters&nbsp;were trialled across Europe, with testers including Heathrow Airport&nbsp;and the London Borough of Southwark. After the&nbsp;trials concluded,&nbsp;the e-Crafter went on sale in the UK, but there was a&nbsp;catch: you could only get it in left-hand-drive form.

It's driven by a 134bhp electric motor with power from a 35kW battery. That gives it an official range of 107 miles, which is not particularly impressive these days, and the real-world range is&nbsp;likely to be less than that.

The e-Crafter went off sale in the UK in 2022, and is not expected to return until at least 2026, when it could return in a new version developed in a partnership between <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/volkswagen">VW</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/ford">Ford</a>. It would share underpinnings with the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/e-transit/van/review/n24074">Ford e-Transit</a> in the&nbsp;same way as the latest <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/ranger/4x4/review/n17250">Ford Ranger</a> and the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/amarok/pick-up/review/n17220">VW Amarok</a> are related.

So, other than the potentially troublesome issue of not being able to get a right-hand-drive version, should you be considering the VW e-Crafter for your work needs? Or are you better off looking at the e-Transit, or one of the other rivals out there? They include the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/maxus/e-deliver-9/van/review/n24737">Maxus eDeliver 9</a>, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/e-sprinter/van/review/n22228">Mercedes eSprinter</a> or the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/master-e-tech/van/review/n20172">Renault Master E-Tech</a>.

In this review we'll cover its performance and handling, practicality, runnings costs and more. Once you've picked your next commercial vehicle, remember we can help you find the best leasing deals – simply search the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/car-leasing/">What Car? Leasing pages</a>.

e-Crafter

Large electric van can carry a big payload and load volume but the range isn't very long

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