The Electric Van Th...
 

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The Electric Van Thread

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I see theres an electric car thread, but no electric van one (I did search so apologies if there is!)
I know nothing and but am interested as car is now old and not ULEZ, so been looking for a while and dont know whats good.
Does anyone have good website recommendations? Also roughly what do I need to lay down for deposit & monthly costs, roughly?
Im after a combi really as need it to do everything as will only have one vehicle? from what I can see there isn't one? Look forward to any advice. Ta


 
Posted : 19/10/2021 12:42 pm
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Our company has been trialing E vans, Renault Traffics I think.

real world range fully loaded is said to be 35 miles, so utterly useless!

Sorry I can't contribute anything positive.


 
Posted : 19/10/2021 12:55 pm
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You'd think that vans would have a big battery under the floor. My work scheme has a Berlingo that does 180 miles, so you would think good range is possible?


 
Posted : 19/10/2021 12:58 pm
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There's a combi version of the Peugeot Expert. Only know because I'm idly interested myself and noticed it on their website the other day. Just over 200 miles with the larger of the 2 battery options.

The Nissan NV200 also has 5 or 7 seat combi versions. but it's only got a 40kwh battery so combined range is 124 miles, that wouldn't be enough for me.

In terms of costs etc. I've not got that far. I assume the quoted prices are ex-VAT as the websites are explicitly aimed at business buyers.

edit - some of the quoted ranges are really poor because they're aimed at last mile delivery mainly, not mile munching. It's starting to change, (see my above suggestions) but of you are loading them up with heavy batteries, you reduce the payload.


 
Posted : 19/10/2021 1:00 pm
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Very little in the way of big vans and/or sensible range.
I'm hanging onto my diesel one for a while yet, maybe until hydrogen becomes a viable alternative (It seems to work for larger vehicles, Aberdeen's buses for example, JCB have some diggers which run on it, but lack of refueling is an issue just now)
Anyway, I think Ford do a Transit hybrid if that's any use?


 
Posted : 19/10/2021 1:03 pm
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They'll be beyond my pocket for a while. Don't have a drive or a lamppost anyway.


 
Posted : 19/10/2021 1:06 pm
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Ford do a DCIV version of the Custom PHEV. Qualifies for ULEZ etc and has a petrol generator so no range anxiety - all electric range only 35 miles though so really depends what sort of driving you do! Would love one as it would be perfect for me but a) they're still really expensive and b) probably not as nice to drive as a much cheaper diesel one!

We're still looking at gen 1 vans really though, considering Ford have just invested massively in an EV factory in Germany & also teamed up with VW, personally I'm going to wait a couple of years and see what the next version is like!


 
Posted : 19/10/2021 1:08 pm
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Amazon are using Mercedes-Benz eSprinter vans. 80+ mile range.


 
Posted : 19/10/2021 1:14 pm
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considering Ford have just invested massively in an EV factory in Germany

And announced a 230million investment at Halewood yesterday!

You're right though, when VW get their collaboration with Ford vehicle out, that could be brilliant. Also, just noticed that the Citroen Berlingo electric van is out very soon. 171 miles range in that one doesn't get me to Ambleside and back without a charge, I think that'd be my benchmark.


 
Posted : 19/10/2021 1:16 pm
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https://www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/en/electric-vans/id-buzz.html

From VW themselves, coming 2022. based on the same platform as the ID3 and ID4 so expecting similar figures.

they have teased camper and day van/combi type things, not just builder-base-specs, so hoping they are released at the same time.


 
Posted : 19/10/2021 1:19 pm
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I bought an electric Kangoo earlier this year for my business. 2013 model in great condition. Only £7k and hardly any miles on the clock, the reason being the range is so little, you couldn't do loads of miles even if you wanted to!

I reckon we get 50 miles range on a good day, but for business use it's perfect as it only does short trips and can be charged where it's parked 90% of the time.

It's really nice to drive. Smooth, quiet, auto. Bristol is supposedly bringing in an emissions charge next year so I figured we'd get ahead of the game, and hopefully it'll hold its value.

2013 is prehistoric by EV standards, I think later years have larger batteries and support faster charging methods. Also the Nissan is the only comparable small van out there but they are considerably more expensive to buy second hand.


 
Posted : 19/10/2021 2:10 pm
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car is now old and not ULEZ

Bizzarely my 300bhp, 3 litre diesel is ULEZ compliant

Presumably due to having adblue and being an MHEV - the latter part seemingly doing next to nothing to aid the vehicles fuel consumption


 
Posted : 19/10/2021 2:27 pm
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So still early days then? I drive so little I can soak up the odd uLEZ, so maybe wait for a while? I quite liked look of this, little plastic??
https://www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/en/new-vehicles/new-multivan.html


 
Posted : 19/10/2021 2:37 pm
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The main problem is the weight of the battery, compounded by the extra energy needed to move a van. A Merc Sprinter has 1000kg load capacity - an 85kwh pack would eat up over half of that, as well as have somewhere near half the range of that same pack in a family car.

Until battery technology improves, there isn't much way around it.


 
Posted : 19/10/2021 2:43 pm
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I manage a sales team who sell the E Sprinter/Vito/Tourers. The tourer is a very good product and the market has taken them on board. The range is good enough and the charging speeds acceptable. Its expensive, but then most people who dip their toes in the water on new tech expect to pay more and we got a deal with Mercedes which meant we could sell them as almost pre reg price. Retail they werent moving (£50-60k) but with the extra money is made them just under £40k.

Vito is struggling. It has the low range that most on here mention of about 70 mls. That means you need to be in a business where it suits you. They were an almost impossible sell until we put a deal together at £199 per month for 12mths. We sold the lot in a weekend. People who took them want to move into the eletric market, got the free charging point installed and most tbh are just using them as spare vans. As a business paying 40% tax thats really just £120 per month cost. Cheap enough for people to test how Evehicles work for them.

Sprinter is also the same as the vito but with slightly more range. Its about 85miles fully charged, but here is the thing. I used one to move house doing 100% town driving. I used it back and forward all day and the range kept going up. I ended the day at 100mls and had about 15mls left. Again its a job specific vehicle. We put a deal out for 12mths contract at £299 per month and again we sold the lot in one weekend.

There are loads of model updates on the horizon. Each update will kick the previous vehicle in the nuts to begin with which is why all our deals are on Mercedes buy backs so they take the pain. Everyone gets hung up on range and of course its important but the next range will have much quicker charging times (It doesnt make sense to charge an evehicle to 100% anyhow) which with the extra range will make them much more adaptable.

It isnt going away, i wrote a long post on evehicles a while ago and not one person responded. Manufacturers are being forced to sell e vehicles by whatever methods available. They are being fined massive amounts of money for registering dirty diesels and soon you will find evehicles are not that much more expensive than their ICE counterparts due to the manufacturer having to pass on these costs.


 
Posted : 19/10/2021 2:52 pm
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As above - it's the range that kills electric vans for me currently. Reality is, I can comfortably, and safely, drive for 2-2h30 hours at a time. Last week that got me from Bristol to Surry - 127 miles according to Google. I do journeys like that (and longer) fairly regularly, and most of the time where I park up is rural with no charging points. Vaguely affordable vans' range would struggle with my 'normal' driving habits - 40-50 miles each way, no charging points at destination.

If I could rely on a car-sized vehicle I would, but I need a van-sized vehicle for work (Caddy Maxi sized), so until there are ranges where I can get a minimum of 4-5 hours motorway driving out of a charge easily, it's currently a non-starter for me sadly.

Last week, after a fairly long day's work, the last thing I'm going to want to do is sit at Leigh Delamere services for 30 mins topping up, just so I can get home 🙁


 
Posted : 19/10/2021 3:14 pm
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I lease a 75kwh E-Expert through the business. We took our combined purchase and maintenance costs over the last three years and averaged it across the months. With fuel included we are paying a premium of about £75pm for this van. But, I really liked our electric car and wanted to change the vehicle we do most miles in. It's just hit 3000 miles and we got it in July I think. Some bits of it feel cheaper than the 2011 Vivaro it replaced, and it's smaller, but it's suitably quiet to drive and much nicer to do longer runs in. On a full charge range counter shows 200 miles. It has averaged 2.7 m/kWh so far, so allowing a bit for never having the guts to run it to empty expect 150-180 miles between charges. A 100 mile run from Banchory to the forth road bridge leaves about 45 miles left on the range.

At the moment there aren't any alternatives really. And yes you can get it in a combi. Expert/Vivaro/Dispatch/Proace, just pick whoever will reply to your emails. We went through drive-electric as the dealers didn't GAF. They were spot on to deal with.

For next year the VW offering and a new Ford should mix things up a bit. I want to see a dedicated EV platform Trafic or something from Kia/Hyundai, as they make our car and the EV parts of it are quite a bit better than the Peugeot.


 
Posted : 19/10/2021 3:20 pm
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hungrymonkey would a 250mls range with the ability to put say 150mls back in 30-45mins be the end of the world?

4hours at 70mph is 280mls. I reckon EV commercials will be able to do that with a 10min stop in the very near future.


 
Posted : 19/10/2021 3:32 pm
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pigyn the new citan which will be out next year (So already sorted by Renault 🙂 is the last ICE platform Mercedes commercials will make. Every single new platform will be designed around EV in future. I expect the same of most other manufacturers


 
Posted : 19/10/2021 3:36 pm
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I saw these mentioned on the news last week

UPS have just ordered a fleet of them - not seen a price yet though.


 
Posted : 19/10/2021 3:40 pm
 5lab
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4hours at 70mph is 280mls. I reckon EV commercials will be able to do that with a 10min stop in the very near future.

I don't think that'll be the case with a traditional-shaped van. A transit has a frontal area that must be 50% more than a car (3.45 vs 2.41 for a transit vs a model 3, from a quick google), more if you're in a high top, and the cD is close to double (0.4ish for a van, vs low 20s for a slippery car). That makes it close to 3x less efficient (probably half as efficient once tweaked) as a car - this bares true in the offical co2 stats that you find for similar power.

Batteries are expensive, and the market for vans with twice as much battery as a car is tiny, as they'll cost £75k+. Make the vans smaller and slipprier and you'll get a lot closer.


 
Posted : 19/10/2021 3:46 pm
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hungrymonkey would a 250mls range with the ability to put say 150mls back in 30-45mins be the end of the world?

At 8.30pm, when I left the house at 7am, yeah, sadly it would. Likewise, at 8.15am when I'm running late, I'm unlikely to pop in pre-emptively to top up on the way!

I would love an electric van - I'm at a stage where if the right van existed I would be in a position to put a decent deposit down on one, but it really needs to be the right one, which as far as I can tell, doesn't exist (for me) quite yet. it's a massive shame!

If, for even £10k, I could convert my Caddy to electric (with a suitable range) I would right now...


 
Posted : 19/10/2021 4:27 pm
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At the moment there aren’t any alternatives really. And yes you can get it in a combi. Expert/Vivaro/Dispatch/Proace

Will look, thanks


 
Posted : 19/10/2021 6:06 pm
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Holy Cow, just costed up an E-expert crew van. They want £781 month plus vat!! Diesel half that price...


 
Posted : 19/10/2021 6:13 pm
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I'm assuming for vehicles like this the priority is the mass market - not the MTB weekend warrior who buys second hand. Therefore there may be less choice in such vehicles in future, for our intended use.

I suspect camper van market is also tiny compared to the business market.

I also suspect that other solutions will be cheaper for longer journeys - keep on with diesel, use trains more etc.


 
Posted : 19/10/2021 6:31 pm
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I’ve been looking at this for work and the only van I’ve found that has decent real world range and size is the Maxus eDeliver9. Annoyingly it was a tad too short to take three standard pallets. Apart from that it was great.

Everything else I’ve looked at has terrible fully loaded range.


 
Posted : 19/10/2021 6:36 pm
 tomd
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Is the limiting factor here not the need to keep the weight down so it can take decent load and be under 3.5te? Electric cars can be mega heavy, which is ok but you can't just keep putting more batteries in a van without making it functionally useless.

E.g. the current vw transporters have a max gross weight of 3.2te with load capacity up to 1,3te depending on model. Hard to match that when even a smallish car like an ID3 is coming in a 2te.

Even my 7 seat caddy is lighter than an ID3.


 
Posted : 19/10/2021 8:12 pm
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£781 pm ex vat does sound very high, are you trying to finance purchase it with a small deposit?

We went with a lease because there was no discounting going on the purchases at all, so I thought just lease for 2-3 years until there is a bigger range then see where we are at.

The lease costs are nowhere near that obviously. Check autotrader for ex demo ones as there were a few up last month


 
Posted : 19/10/2021 9:03 pm
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£781 pm ex vat does sound very high

It’s just what popped up on Peugeot’s website.


 
Posted : 20/10/2021 7:07 am
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hungrymonkey would a 250mls range with the ability to put say 150mls back in 30-45mins be the end of the world?

That would be almost there for me. I have two regular 400 mile each way routes to visit aging parents.  I'd want a bit more of a buffer on the range as I'd end up stuck in Kings Lynn, nobody wants that.

Not that it matters, I'm not in the target market at this stage, I need (I mean want) the range and charging for a much smaller price tag. Think ii might see if the East Coast line has improved for bikes since the last time I tried it.


 
Posted : 20/10/2021 8:13 am
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They are always going to be more expensive, at least for the next few years. As I mentioned above, when I looked at the full cost of the last few years van running, going electric worked out at a £75pm premium. That did include a new clutch through, however in the end was slightly offset even more by managing to find much cheaper insurance at the last second. Once we had actually ordered it I never re-did the numbers.

Buying outright or finance would have been better for the business but we didn't want to be without the cash at the moment. When our Soul is paid off in two years and the lease is up we will look again.

https://www.drive-electric.co.uk/vehicles/peugeot-e-expert-electric-van-75kwh-long/

These lot were great, when I could hardly get the main business centres to talk to me, they were more interested in selling the diesel models from stock, than taking a more expensive order for three months away. Drive Electric give you a free podpoint home charger too which is nice, and getting rarer.

At the end of the day only you can figure out if it works for your situation yet, but for us it has been great so far. Always nice to rock up for a ride at Comrie Croft and stick it on their free solar assisted chargers then come back to a full battery 😁 It is a big battery though so tend to sly them a bit more for parking


 
Posted : 20/10/2021 8:14 am
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Well, google suggests LNER are still pants for bikes


 
Posted : 20/10/2021 8:19 am
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Whats the word on the Vauxhall Combo-e. I like the looks of Crew Cab Long version. And doesnt look too crazy price wise like some? But 150 mile range and its a Vauxhall??!!
https://www.vauxhall.co.uk/vans/combo/build-and-price/electric/crew-van.html#/model


 
Posted : 12/05/2022 7:01 pm
 a11y
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E Berlingo XL as an alternative? Seems cheaper for similar/greater range than the Vauxhall.

https://www.citroen.co.uk/models/berlingo/configurator-break.html/Model


 
Posted : 12/05/2022 7:45 pm
 a11y
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And this was the thread I couldn’t find when I posted about the new electric Tranny earlier this week - I stuck the info in the electric car thread…


 
Posted : 12/05/2022 7:49 pm
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Peugeot e-Expert hydrogen 400km range.
Intelligent Energy had a prototype in 2008

My diesel NV200 is ULEZ-compliant, but does get hit by the Central London Congestion Charge


 
Posted : 12/05/2022 7:51 pm
 colp
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@TheLittlestHobo

I looked the other day at selling my 2018, 40000 mile, 119 Tourer Select (quite a few nice extras) to move to an electric one. Should go for £25k +

List price on the new (better range) E-Tourer Select L3 was £65k before any options!


 
Posted : 12/05/2022 8:10 pm
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E Berlingo XL as an alternative?

Ah yes & those rear seats on crew cab fold flat, neat.


 
Posted : 12/05/2022 9:32 pm
 a11y
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Found my next electric van:

Hell, I'd be happy with a quarter (or even an eighth) of that output in the next Transit Custom if it's going to be electric. Ford already has the tech in a production vehicle:

https://www.ford.com/trucks/f150/f150-lightning/

563ps (420kW)
775lb ft (1,050Nm)
0-60 mid-4sec

Stick that in the next production Transit Custom and I'll be happy.


 
Posted : 23/06/2022 3:50 pm
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Just seen this on the topgear YouTube channel... Yes please

Ford have a transit eV on their website with roughly 190 mile range... Looks ok


 
Posted : 23/06/2022 6:35 pm
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Mercedes-Benz eSprinter vans. 80+ mile range

🤣🤣🤣
That’s MB all round. Late and lame.

Folks have already identified a few van BEV problems: weight, shape, size. That vans are probably less popular than cars adds to the inertia for manufacturers. While it could be (££) painful legislation would be a great help. If that were accompanied by government support like tax relief or VAT relief on charging that might help.

Still, Ford seem to offer something good with the electric pickup in the USA. Let’s hope more options follow as the global markets get back up to speed.

Despite my MB skepticism, range may not be an issue for many van owners. Rather fast charging might be the thing. If you could top up fast at a stop or a job that’d make a more modest range workable.


 
Posted : 23/06/2022 7:06 pm
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Hell, I’d be happy with a quarter (or even an eighth) of that output in the next Transit Custom if it’s going to be electric.
yup! The performance of the current Custom PHEV is disappointing (to say the least!)

Surprised Guy Martin hasn't cobbled together one of these already to be honest!!


 
Posted : 23/06/2022 7:12 pm
 colp
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Despite my MB skepticism, range may not be an issue for many van owners. Rather fast charging might be the thing. If you could top up fast at a stop or a job that’d make a more modest range workable.

To be fair, the new eVito models have a real tested range of around 240 miles


 
Posted : 23/06/2022 7:35 pm
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I just test-drove an E-vivaro a couple of days ago. Drove very nicely but anyone reasonably tall would need to take out the bulkhead to fit in the driver’s seat. Why anyone would design a van so cramped…the mind boggles.

(I actually tested the 9-seater so plenty of room, but then sat in a panel van just to see if I could. I couldn’t.)


 
Posted : 23/06/2022 8:17 pm
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Ford have a transit eV on their website with roughly 190 mile range… Looks ok

and whats that range going to be with a heavy load in the back.
admitidly my long journeys are done with not much weight but i would need at least double that range before even considering one.


 
Posted : 23/06/2022 10:55 pm
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I believe an electric F250 is imminent in the US and it will have a 300 mile range. That kind of format will be easily adapted for a van.
Can’t wait until it gets to Australia as. Ranger as it would be great to replace my current Ute.


 
Posted : 24/06/2022 6:14 am
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So, which trail centres have a charging point then ?


 
Posted : 24/06/2022 8:27 am
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In Scotland, Laggan has a pair of 7kw chargers. Glentress can be ridden from the Peebles Hydro, that has four 7kw. Rapids in peebles town. Innerleithen has a rapid in the carpark next to No1. Rapids and fast in Aberfeldy town centre, great for the 'Glassie Bike Park', Pitlochry can be ridden from the dam carpark, free 7kw chargers (fed direct off the hydro I like to think), Dunkeld has a rapid in the town carpark with another two on the way. Aviemore has rapids in town and a fast charger right at the bottom of Burnside trails. Comrie Croft has four fast chargers, charged off their own solar array and battery storage. In the deep south I know Cwmcarn trail centre has a bank of fast chargers (that I think are free). Callander has rapid chargers in the carpark, great for riding Ben Ledi and the local tech. For the rapids we put it on when we get back from riding, then get changed and pack the bikes up. If it needs longer go grab a coffee, same as we usually would anyway. If anything it's MORE of a faff having to go back to the van and move it before the 40mins is up. I prefer 7kw charger where we can leave it for the time we are riding, it's less demand on the grid and leaves the rapids free.


 
Posted : 24/06/2022 9:03 am
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Have you lot discussed the X-Bus?

https://www.crownxbus.co.uk/


 
Posted : 24/06/2022 9:43 am
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At first glance it looked good, then realised the quoted range was way off (you have to max it out with the optional battery packs and I think solar roof?) And it doesn't have any form of rapid charging. So you end up with a 100 mile range max and 7kw charging only. Looks fun though.

I saw a VW T4 in Fife with a green plate flash, not sure if it was a conversion or a joker.


 
Posted : 24/06/2022 11:47 am
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Mercedes E-truck, a bit to big for normal STW style usages but interesting nonetheless.


 
Posted : 24/06/2022 5:48 pm
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Seeing lots of positive chat about the new e-Transit, (realistic) 170 mile range, cheaper than the Merc and a [I]lot[/I] more powerful than anything else currently (265 BHP!)

I think that range should be fine, even for biking/camping trips given that apparently if you can find a fast charger it'll do 15->80% in about half an hour. (Obviously not for all the heroes who routinely do 8+ hour drives in one sitting, but fine for me 😃)

Personally though don't want a van quite that big, so will keep an eye out for the e-Custom which is supposed to be going on sale this time next year (collab between Ford & VW) and should be even better, hopefully slightly bigger range too.


 
Posted : 08/08/2022 12:33 pm
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Our local Post Office Depot seemed to have switched to all electric vans - keep seeing them around town.


 
Posted : 08/08/2022 1:54 pm
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I'll just leave this here


 
Posted : 08/08/2022 7:25 pm
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@uponthedowns assuming I don’t want to waste half an hour on that, can you summarise it? 😀


 
Posted : 08/08/2022 9:37 pm
 a11y
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https://www.ford.com/trucks/f150/f150-lightning/
/a>

563ps (420kW)
775lb ft (1,050Nm)
0-60 mid-4sec

Stick that in the next production Transit Custom and I’ll be happy.

Review of a F150-Lightning in the UK. Not watched it yet myself - pick-ups don't work for my use, but as I've banged on before stick that sort of power unit/tech in a Transit Custom sized vehicle and yes please*

* subject to a lottery jackpot win


 
Posted : 13/09/2022 10:33 am
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Ford have previewed the next-gen electric Transit Custom (that will also be the basis for the next Transporter)

https://www.parkers.co.uk/vans-pickups/news/2023/new-ford-transit-custom/

236 miles, 125kW rapid charging, tows at least 1200kg. Neat folding steering column so it can become a table, and L-shaped bulkhead so you can have long things (like bikes) secure plus two rear seats.


 
Posted : 13/09/2022 10:40 am
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https://www.parkers.co.uk/vans-pickups/news/2023/new-ford-transit-custom/
that looks awesome, love the L bulkhead - best of both worlds! Range sounds v useful... any trip I do could be managed with only one stop (which I always do anyway!) Wonder what cost will be? (Hopefully a pleasant surprise!)
Will be interesting as well to see what kind of spin VW put on their version.

One of my customers has the full-size E-transit, initially very pleased but it went straight to a coach-builders so I don't think they've actually driven it much yet!


 
Posted : 13/09/2022 11:09 am
 a11y
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https://www.parkers.co.uk/vans-pickups/news/2023/new-ford-transit-custom/
/a>

It does indeed look like a good package. Currently 5 years with our Transit Custom, used as a family/biking vehicle not workhorse. Realistically 5+ years away from replacement, but this (or whatever replaces this) is interesting indeed.

It'd only be holidays where the range would be an issue - not uncommon for us to 'hotseat' back-to-back drivers with <span style="font-size: 0.8rem;">short pee stops (e.g. 620 miles from Zeebruge to Bourg St Maurice in a day). We'd have to adapt to allow recharging but the alternative, i.e. more range between charges, would mean bigger battery and even heavier vehicle. A real-world 200-mile range would be more than adequate 95% of the time.</span>

Yeah I'd love that F150 powertrain but total overkill.


 
Posted : 13/09/2022 12:38 pm
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Wonder what cost will be? (Hopefully a pleasant surprise!)

Given the hybrid Custom was, IIRC about £45k I'd not hold out too much hope! 200 miles actual would do for me 100%. Anything over 100 miles each way is either an overnighter or a proper driving break which would allow for a reasonable fast charge. I'm hoping the incoming eConnect/Caddy will crack this, even though my diesel has a good few years in it yet.


 
Posted : 13/09/2022 12:46 pm
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We have just changed the lease terms on the 200+ EV vans we have at work from 4 years to 3 (they are all Vito and Sprinters) The reason for the change is that the lease company have massively down valued the residual value of the vans because they are concerned that battery life and the speed the technology is moving means they will be virtually worthless.

It will be interesting to see how reality compares with their theory in time but it I do think there are a lot of unresolved issues about the second hand market values when the technology and residual battery performance are factored in


 
Posted : 13/09/2022 12:53 pm
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because they are concerned that battery life
no idea what other manufactures offer but Ford are warrantying the battery on the new e-Transit for 8 years or 100k which I thought was pretty good!


 
Posted : 13/09/2022 1:02 pm
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I see from the Ford website they're also launching an improved version of the PHEV Custom (which by all accounts was not too well received as it was very underpowered especially the 1-litre petrol generator). The new version has a 2.5L generator which should give it a lot more oomph! For my needs (sole work & personal vehicle) the 30-35 mile electric range would be fine for day-to-day use but obviously not longer journeys/biking/holidays etc. Can't help feeling though that hybrids are the worst of both worlds though, and a vehicle type that won't be around for very long! Minimal electric range and then relatively expensive petrol miles if you go beyond it. You've still got the servicing of an ICE to consider, and for vans at least there's no reduction in VED.


 
Posted : 05/10/2022 10:53 am
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Thought some of you might be interested in our demo experience with the ID Buzz Cargo. Currently in a 75kwh E-Expert,for just under two years. WLTP 205 miles, struggling to get 120 to be honest at the moment. Seems like less because of how inaccurate the range calculator is. Loses 10 every time you turn it off, heater tanks power yet there are air gaps through to the cab etc. Had a few software bugs and now my partner isn't happy driving it out of range unless I am there, which pretty much means Dunkeld or Inners from south Fife. Wrote off the Buzz as too small but with the lease end approaching and no date on the E-Custom (2024 was all they could say) we got a full day demo in the cargo.

Handed over at 80% showing 169 miles. Over the day I drove 144 miles mix of motorway, dual and stop start. Including three stops where the van was turned off. Handed back at 10% showing 29 miles, so a few miles ahead of the quoted range. 2.9 m/kWh average showing. So 223 on a full charge theoretically. Started at -2 degrees and raising to 3-4. Heating on at 17 and using the heated seats a bit. Fairly impressed with that to be fair.

Did a size test in the back, it's a bit tighter and the sliding doors are smaller, but it works good. Two bikes, two paddle board bags, a bag of snowboards and some kit fits fine. Driving position is great and it handles lovely. But the main thing is that range is night and day, and the reliability of the calculations.


 
Posted : 31/01/2023 8:13 am
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ID Buzz Cargo

I am expecting these to start appearing at trail centre car parks near you between the T4's and T5's... 😉


 
Posted : 31/01/2023 8:31 am
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PHEV Custom (which by all accounts was not too well received

Or just misunderstood?
I thought of it as an electric vehicle for work persons who’s main scope of work is within a 50 mile radius. The electric side of things was there to be able to drive into cities with clean air schemes without penalty ( which are being rolled out more and more).
It’s not a vehicle for banging up and down the motorway


 
Posted : 31/01/2023 9:21 am
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Or just misunderstood?
I thought of it as an electric vehicle for work persons who’s main scope of work is within a 50 mile radius.
@revs1972 well... the electric range is 30 not 50, so for the return trip that means the radius is 15 miles out & back with no running around in between...

I work with a lot of companies & trades and the diesel Custom is extremely popular obviously but I don't know anyone who's got the PHEV version or even test-driven/seriously considered one!

It's difficult to imagine who'd actually benefit from it (maybe plumbers/sparkies etc who only worked extremely locally?) but then a) it's expensive to buy b) expensive to run when not on electric c) have to pay VED unlike full electric and even if it [I]did[/I] work out financially, d) woeful performance vs. Diesel engine.

In a way it would've been ideal for me as I live very close to my work but those things all put me off! Plus my gut feeling is that hybrid is the worst of all worlds as you still have to service an ICE (probably not such an issue if you lease rather then purchase outright though).

The coming one though does look a lot better (still have to pay VED though!) so will have a look at that when available. The latest/coming Ford/VW vans do seem a generation ahead of everything else currently available right now. Would love one but realistically just comes down to cost, with the way things are right now would need Ford/the Gov create some new incentives to stimulate uptake really as probably couldn't justify it otherwise.


 
Posted : 31/01/2023 10:32 am
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What's the cost of the Buzz to lease?

I'd love one of them, but being sensible my current Connect is owned outright and has plenty of life left so they'd have to be fairly cheap, and I suspect that's not the case!


 
Posted : 31/01/2023 1:19 pm
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I looked at leases the other week on the Buzz Cargo - £7-8k deposit, 48mon, 15k/yr - just under £600/month.

Sadly, I'm out!

(my caddy, like your connect, is owned outright, and has life left, even though it's costing me loads to run annually now)


 
Posted : 31/01/2023 1:26 pm
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 £7-8k deposit, 48mon, 15k/yr – just under £600/month.

Oof! I can't imagine spaffing that every month on a vehicle. Particularly one I'll never actually own.


 
Posted : 31/01/2023 1:34 pm
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https://www.nationwidevehiclecontracts.co.uk/van-leasing/volkswagen/id-buzz-cargo/150kw-commerce-77kwh-auto

having a play around on this, £500 to £600 a month depending on lease term. Oddly the longer leases cost more? Anticipating interest rates going mad? Thats all with 1 month upfront.

As always with leases, the leasee gets to pay full price for all optional extras, including paint that isnt plain white.

On the same site, ICE Vivaros, transits etc are pushing £500.


 
Posted : 31/01/2023 1:42 pm
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Oof! I can’t imagine spaffing that every month on a vehicle. Particularly one I’ll never actually own.

worth noting, I have no idea what PCP/PCH/PCwhatever etc are, so i could be very wrong on these things!


 
Posted : 31/01/2023 1:48 pm
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worth noting, I have no idea what PCP/PCH/PCwhatever etc are
yeah, I've never bought a brand new vehicle due to cost, so realistically I'd be looking at a buying outright a 2-3 year old vehicle which was previously leased (unless they wanted to do me a mega-deal on a pre-registered new vehicle due to being in the grip of recession 🤔) so no point getting too excited at the moment really!


 
Posted : 31/01/2023 3:36 pm
 mert
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We've got one of the ID Buzz minivans at work at the moment.
Going to try and get hold of the keys later in the week for a poke around...


 
Posted : 31/01/2023 5:38 pm
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https://www.stablevehiclecontracts.co.uk/van-leasing/volkswagen/idbuzz/idbuzz-cargo

That was the cheapest I found when looking


 
Posted : 31/01/2023 6:56 pm
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Our expert is a lease, I didn't want to commit to buying something we hadn't tested, and the garage were very unresponsive. The Buzz we have put an order in to buy, hopefully if we get sick of the lack of space there will be a decent aftersales value. Anyone want to put their name down for a Buzz Cargo in blue with body coloured bumpers in four years? 😸👍


 
Posted : 31/01/2023 7:04 pm
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I believe an electric F250 is imminent in the US and it will have a 300 mile range. That kind of format will be easily adapted for a van.

A standard F250 is 2.6 -3 ton or more.


 
Posted : 31/01/2023 7:53 pm
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[I]Whats the word on the Vauxhall Combo-e.[/I]

I've got an L1 as a company van. Had it 4 months, I love it. Nicest van I've had in 20 years of mainly Transits and Vivaros. Quiet, nippy, some luxury stuff like air con and cruise control (a first for a base spec van)

Home charging, regularly do up to 80 miles a day and 50 miles left on the range (my employers 'realistic' range of 135 miles taking into account that our vans are permanent heavily laden (engineers van) and have ladder racks, tubes and beacons on the roof seems accurate). I don't have a ladder but do have the rack and typically get 2.5kw/mile but taking it easy on a motorway run at 56mph and switching between normal and eco depending on when I want a bit of heat will see 3.0kw/m which means I should be able to get 150 miles.

I've only fast charged it twice, the second day I had when I deliberately took it to a charger to check my company account was set up correctly, and a few days later when they sent me to a job 150 miles away where I found a 150KW charger.


 
Posted : 12/03/2023 9:23 pm
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Nice.

Just checking in to say I saw an iD.buzz the other day.


 
Posted : 13/03/2023 10:50 am
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Saw a Mercedes EQV passenger van the other day, I didn't know they existed. 200 mile range, nice inside. But, as you might expect, ****ing expensive.


 
Posted : 05/06/2023 12:42 pm
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