Electric vans are EXPLODING! In popularity that is. Not to worry, the technology is cutting-edge. This is why this guide has been written to help you with the one thing you’re worrying about, which is probably what’s stopping you from buying an electric van.
Whether you’re looking for an electric van that really can drive far enough, or you want to know how much weight you can carry in its back, this guide breaks them down per the best vans for each size category. Also included is an added extra section about the only vans to look at when buying on a budget.
There are 240% more electric vans are on the road now compared to 2020 – are you missing out?
The Best Electric Vans in 2022
Best Electric Small Van
The Toyota Proace City Electric has a lot to brag about, but let’s start with the big one. Toyota offers a 10-year warranty on this van, which goes to show just how confident they are that these vans are built to last.
With its 50 kWh battery, the Toyota Proace City Electric offers a very practical 161-mile range, 800 kg payload, and 750 kg towing capacity, this small electric van offers a solid performance regardless of its fuel type. The icing on the cake was discovering that this van can get a full charge in as little as 30 minutes.
A little secret: Take a few years off the 10-year additional warranty and change the Toyota badge, and you could get an even better deal.
This van’s great performance is no secret, but there is one thing that isn’t talked about often – the fact that this van has a number of identical twins. The Peugeot e-Partner, the Citroen e-Berlingo, and the Vauxhall Combo Electric are all clones of this van which live up to the same mileage and payload standards, so it’s worth looking at these other models if you’re looking to save. Whichever you decide on, you can rest assured that you’re getting one of the best electric small vans on the market.
Range: 161 Miles
Payload: 800 kg
Load Length: Up to 3.4 M using Load Through Bulkhead
Price: Reasonable
Best Electric Medium Van
The Citroen e-Dispatch has been awarded Medium Van of the Year 2022 by the Company Car and Van Awards, and it’s a worthy winner. This medium electric van offers an official range of 196 miles and a 267-mile range for city driving – giving it one of the largest ranges on the market.
The e-Dispatch offers a payload exceeding 1 tonne across the range, with two battery options (50 kWh or 75 kWh) and three length options (XS, M and XL), so you can get the van that suits your needs. This van also has a hefty towing limit of 1 tonne. Fast charge options also allow up to 80% charge in 30 minutes for the 50 kWh battery and 45 minutes for the 75 kWh.
The Citroen e-Dispatch shares its build with a number of other vans, like the Peugeot e-Expert, Fiat e-Scudo, Vauxhall Vivaro-e, and Toyota Proace Electric. These electric medium vans are built to get the job done and will not disappoint regardless of which badge you choose.
Range: 196 Miles
Payload: 1000+ kg
Load Length: Over 4 M using Load Through Bulkhead
Price: Reasonable
Best Electric Large Van
The Ford e-Transit is the classic reinvented, and is reasonably priced. Ford has come to the large electric van market to win. With a full battery range of 196 miles and a payload capacity of up to 1711 kg, this van is built to do a day’s work.
Available in a variety of lengths (L2, L3, L4) and heights (H2 & H3) you can definitely find the right van for you, and you can get an 80% charge in as little as 34 minutes. The e-Transit is the winner of one of the most prestigious awards in the industry, outcompeting all diesel vans from the WhatCar? Awards.
This van has disrupted the electric van market, saving you thousands when compared to other large electric vans (with the exception of the Maxus Edeliver 9) and its build quality is nothing short of the same time-tested diesel transit. If you want the best large electric van, you want the Ford E-Transit.
Range: 196 Miles
Payload: 1711 kg
Load Length: 3 M (for L2), 3.5 M (for L3), 4.25 M (for L4).
Price: Cheap (for an electric large van)
The Best Electric Vans You Haven’t Heard of
This brand was the first to do electric vans right, and because they’re less well known, they’re still amazing value for money. The Maxus electric vans were always a go-to recommendation when they first came out. They were the only fully electric vans that could do a day’s work. Now competition may have upped its game but these vans are fierce contenders.
Here are two more vans worthy of serious consideration.
The Maxus eDeliver 3
If you’re looking for a medium-sized electric van that’s on the smaller side, the Maxus eDeliver 3 is going to save you thousands of pounds compared to other medium vans in the market.
Looking at the 52.5 kWh SWB model, with its competitive range of 151 miles, 905 kg payload capacity, 2.18 M load length and 45-minute charge time (for 80% battery), this van has A LOT to offer at its price point.
Topping things off, its extensive range of extras (which come as standard), means you’re not going to have to pay anything additional for the likes of air-conditioning, cruise control, 7” touchscreen, reverse camera and rear sensors.
Range: 151 Miles
Payload: 905 kg
Load Length: 2.18 M
Price: Cheap (for an electric medium van)
The Maxus eDeliver 9
If you’re looking for a fully electric large van, here’s the only other van worth looking at – the Maxus eDeliver 9. This van along with the Ford e-Transit are the only fully electric vans available at reasonable prices.
The Maxus eDeliver 9 comes in a variety of options. If you want to maximise your driving range, you’ll want to go with the 88.5 kWh battery model which offers a 185-mile range. If you want to maximise the payload capacity to 1200 kg you’ll want to get the MH model and if load length is your priority then you want to choose the LH model which will give you a 3.4 M load length.
One thing that’s included as standard for all models is the huge specification. It includes; 16” alloy wheels, air-conditioning, a blind spot monitoring system, cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, a reverse camera and so much more.
Range: 185 Miles (for 88.5 kWh battery)
Payload: 1200 kg (for MH Model)
Load Length: 3.4 M (for LH Model)
Price: Cheap (for an electric large van)
For more information on any of these vans, send an enquiry here.
The Washington Magazine 