Advancing climate change, rising prices for fossil raw materials, or social responsibility: More and more logistics companies are turning to alternative drive options for their vehicles that meet the demand for sustainability. But there are a few things to consider when choosing electric vehicles. We have compiled a selection of electric light commercial vehicles from different manufacturers that are currently available on the market.
Every company has individual requirements for electric vehicles, depending on how often and how long they are used and the distances they cover per day. But one thing is crucial for all: vehicle availability, charging status and range. Car manufacturers have also recently recognized this and are relying on large batteries and a lot of power, especially in the commercial vehicles and van sector.
Anyone who integrates e-vehicles into their fleet or switches completely to e-mobility should by no means be without a fleet and charging management system. Electric vehicles are large consumers of electricity, but with the right charging management, high electricity costs due to peak loads can be avoided. E-cars can be charged according to demand and in an environmentally friendly manner. Fleet management provides control and insight into the fleet.
In this article, we look at the range, performance, battery charging time and payload of individual electric vans.
Citroën ë-Jumpy
The Citroën ë-Jumpy is ideal for electric driving in the city and in the countryside. It is available in 3 lengths: XS (4.60 m), M (4.95 m) and XL (5.30 m). It has a load volume of up to 6,600 liters.
- Range: The ë-Jumpy is available with batteries in two power ratings. The 50 kWh battery manages up to 224 km (body styles XS, M and XL). The 75 kWh battery manages up to 321 km (body styles M and XL).
- Power: 100 kW (136 hp), top speed 130 km/h
- Charging time: AC charging at 11 kW takes 4 hours 45 minutes to 7 hours 30 minutes depending on battery size. DC charging at 100 kW to 80 percent takes 30 minutes for 50 kWh battery and 45 minutes for 75 kWh battery.
- Payload: up to 1,275 kg
Ford E-Transit
The Ford E-Transit is available in three heights and three lengths in different variants. Its maximum cargo volume is 15,100 liters.
- Range: The E-Transit has a 68 kWh battery that can achieve a range of up to 317 km.
- Power: The electric motor has a choice of 135 kW (184 hp) or 198 kW (269 hp).
- Charging time: AC charging at 11 kW takes about 8 hours. DC charging with 115 kW to 80 percent takes 35 minutes.
- Payload: up to 1,600 kg
Ford E Transit Custom
The Ford Transit, Europe's best-selling van, will also be available in an electric version starting in the summer of 2024. In addition to the environmentally friendly drive, the Ford E Transit Custom also offers a wealth of intelligent technologies, including a 5G module and a digital key.
- Range: The battery of the E-Transit Custom has a usable capacity of 64 kilowatt hours (kWh) and offers a range of up to 327 kilometers.
- Power: The electric motor delivers either 100 kW (136 hp) or 160 kW (218 hp).
- Charging time: DC charging with up to 125 kW from ten to 80 percent takes about 39 minutes.
- Payload: up to 1,330 kg
Mercedes eVito
With its load capacity of up to 6,600 liters, the Mercedes eVito electric van is a specialist in accommodating cargo and is therefore of particular interest to suppliers.
- Range: With the 60 kWh battery, up to 314 km can be covered without interruption.
- Power: 85 kW (116 hp)
- Charging time: The eVito can be charged to 100 percent in under 6 hours 30 minutes with AC charging at up to 11 kW. With DC charging of up to 80 kW, the battery can be charged to 80 percent in about 35 minutes.
- Payload: up to 1,073 kg
Mercedes eSprinter
The Mercedes eSprinter comes with two motor variants, two lengths, and three battery options: 56, 81, or 113 kilowatt-hours.
- Range: With the 113 kWh battery, up to 440 km can be covered without interruption. With the 56 kWh battery, the range is only 220 kilometers, while with the 81 kWh battery, it's up to 310 kilometers.
- Power: 100 kW (136 hp) or 150 kW (204 hp).
- Charging time: The eSprinter with the small battery requires up to 5:30 hours for AC charging, the medium battery with 81 kWh requires an additional 2:30 hours from 0 to 100 percent, while the large 113 kWh battery takes about eleven hours to fully charge. With the DC charging power of 115 kW, the 56 kWh capacity battery can be charged from 20 to 80 percent in about 28 minutes, while the 113 kWh battery takes around 42 minutes. For the medium 81 kWh battery, it takes 67 (at 50 kW) or 32 minutes to receive the full 115 kW from the charging station. With the large battery, expect 93 minutes at 50 kW charging power and at least 42 minutes at full charging power to charge the battery from 20 to 80 percent SoC.
- Payload: 1,150 to 1,725 kg (depending on the battery)
Nissan e-NV200
The Nissan e-NV200 as a panel van has a robust and spacious interior, making it ideal for delivery services. It provides 4200 liters of cargo volume. Performance and range are designed for city or short-distance operation.
- Range: The 40 kWh battery can cover up to 275 km on one charge.
- Power: 80 kW (109 hp)
- Charging time: AC charging at 6.6 kW takes about 8 hours 30 minutes. The battery is charged to 80 percent in 40 to 60 minutes during fast charging (DC) at 50 kW.
- Payload: up to 682 kg
Opel Movano Electric
The new Opel Movano Electric offers significantly improved performance with 200 kW of power, 400 Nm of torque, and a top speed of 130 km/h. With its 110 kWh battery, it provides a range of 420 kilometers without sacrificing the generous cargo space of up to 17 cubic meters, making it an efficient and powerful commercial vehicle for everyday work.
- Range: With the 110 kWh battery, up to 420 km can be covered.
- Power: Up to 200 kW (270 hp)
- Charging time: The Movano Electric comes standard with an 11 kW onboard charger for AC charging. However, it also offers the option of DC charging with up to 150 kW, allowing a charging process to 80 percent in approximately 55 minutes.
- Payload: up to 1,500 kg
Opel Vivaro-e
The Opel Vivaro-e is perfect for the last mile. It is available in 2 vehicle lengths (M: 4959 mm and L: 5,309 mm) and two battery sizes with a range of up to 328 km. Its cargo volume is up to 6,600 liters.
- Range: The Vivaro-e can choose between a 50 kWh battery for up to 238 km range or a 75 kWh battery for up to 328 km range.
- Power: 100 kW (136 hp), top speed 130 km/h
- Charging time: AC charging at up to 11 kW takes about 4 hours 45 minutes. At the direct current (DC) charging station, the Vivaro-e draws current of up to 100 kW, with charging to 80 percent taking around 30 to 45 minutes.
- Payload: up to 1,400 kg
Peugeot e-Expert
The Peugeot e-Expert is the technically equal electric brother of the Citroën ë-Jumpy and the Opel Vivaro-e, which is why the 3 models are often referred to as the electric trio. Like the e-Jumpy, the e-Expert is available in 3 lengths – XS (4.60 m), M (4.95 m) and XL (5.30 m). It provides a load volume of up to 6,600 liters.
- Range: The e-Expert is available in two battery sizes: The 50 kWh battery manages up to 230 kilometers and the 75 kWh battery up to 330 kilometers.
- Power: 100 kW (136 hp), top speed 130 km/h.
- Charging time: AC charging at 11 kW takes about 6 hours 30 minutes. At a 100 kW fast charging station (DC), the batteries are filled to 80 percent again after about 45 minutes.
- Payload: up to 1,275 kg
Rivian Electric Delivery Van (EDV)
The Rivian Electric Delivery Van is an electric delivery vehicle specially designed for electric propulsion, thanks to its skateboard platform and spacious cabin, which make few compromises. Developed for Amazon, the EDV provides a solution for the shipping giant to reduce its CO2 footprint. In Germany, the first deliveries have already arrived, with the vehicles offering a generous cargo volume of 14 cubic meters and a typical payload despite their length of about six meters. Rivian recently announced its intention to sell the model to other companies in the future.