EV Vans - how long?

[simonpieman]

Hello,

I'm in the market for a new mid sized van - Transit Custom/VW T6 LWB size. Ideally it would be plug in hybrid/EV. However, there doesn't appear to be any firm dates yet for launch. The dealers I spoke to (a few months ago now) were vague about timing, accompanied by comments about hybrid/EV being much more expensive and, in the first wave, not so reliable; and therefore directing me to conclude that I'm better off buying a diesel now and waiting for an EV next time around.

Does anyone have any intelligence on when Ford and VW aim to launch their plug in hybrid/EV mid size van ranges?

Thank you

[Saleen836]

Rgeards the Transit, have you thought about what you will be carrying?
Reading the blurb on the Transit PHEV i'm struggling to see the point of it, they state it can carry just over a 1000kg load and will travel 30miles on the electric motor (in reality you know this will be 15 maybe 20 if you're lucky) and a 1.0 ecoboost petrol engine...in a VAN!

[scottydoesntknow]

Rivian are going to be doing them. Amazon want 100,000. No idea on timescales or prices though.

https://www.trucks.com/2019/09/19/amazon-orders-ri...

I think Ford have also invested in Rivian so an all electric Transit is a possibility.

[simonpieman]

Yeah I take your point. This is what I’m concerned about. All nice in theory but does it translate to van life yet.

As I understand it, Ford are looking to use the same technology as that used in the new London taxi, which on the one occasion I used one, seemed to work well and the taxi driver said it worked well

[Djtemeka]

New vivaro electric is coming out next year. No real details yet but that means Toyota etc will be having the same

[inabox]

Saleen836 said:

Rgeards the Transit, have you thought about what you will be carrying?
Reading the blurb on the Transit PHEV i'm struggling to see the point of it, they state it can carry just over a 1000kg load and will travel 30miles on the electric motor (in reality you know this will be 15 maybe 20 if you're lucky) and a 1.0 ecoboost petrol engine...in a VAN!

I don't think it uses the ecoboost to drive the wheels, rather it's a generator for the battery

[simonpieman]

inabox said:

I don't think it uses the ecoboost to drive the wheels, rather it's a generator for the battery

Yes that’s my understanding. The running gear is electric. The charge can be boosted by an onboard engine.

[oop north]

simonpieman said:

inabox said:

I don't think it uses the ecoboost to drive the wheels, rather it's a generator for the battery

Yes that’s my understanding. The running gear is electric. The charge can be boosted by an onboard engine.

So it’s a range extender then - just like the bmw i3 Rex!

[caseys]

I drive past an LDV dealership on my way to my daugther's gymnastics.

I keep seeing this van parked up there

https://www.commercialfleet.org/van/reviews/medium...

Admittedly the price seems eyewatering, but I don't own my own business etc and woudln't know the TCO.

Nice also to hear that the Ford Transit will be a REX like the i3 (I've got an i3 BEV myself).

[sjg]

LDV were showing the smaller EV30 earlier this year. Roughly Transporter sized (bit smaller) - SWB 4.55m long, LWB 5.1m long.

https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/ldv/106717/new-ldv-e...

"start of 2020" apparently.

[scottydoesntknow]

Transit Custom now available as a plug in hybrid.

https://www.ford.co.uk/future-vehicles/new-transit...

[SpeckledJim]

I take it the Nissan NV200 is too small?

[Fast Bug]

How many miles a day do you do? There's the eVito which is available now, no rapid charge until this time next year though. Range is 150km with a 6-8 hour charge time at present

[simonpieman]

scottydoesntknow said:

Transit Custom now available as a plug in hybrid.

https://www.ford.co.uk/future-vehicles/new-transit...

Except that I don't believe it is available yet. Those pages have been on the Ford website for at least 3 months (when I first started thinking about getting a new van). See above for dealer response back then.

[TheRainMaker]

There is an electric VW crafter kicking about, I believe it only had a range of 100 miles or so.

Have a look on YouTube.

[simonpieman]

caseys said:

I drive past an LDV dealership on my way to my daugther's gymnastics.

I keep seeing this van parked up there

https://www.commercialfleet.org/van/reviews/medium...

Admittedly the price seems eyewatering, but I don't own my own business etc and woudln't know the TCO.

Nice also to hear that the Ford Transit will be a REX like the i3 (I've got an i3 BEV myself).

Thanks for this. On the initial sweep of the market I wasn't overly attracted to the LDV, perhaps unfairly. Cost, brand image and 0-60mph taking 24 seconds. Maybe I'll take a closer look.

[simonpieman]

Fast Bug said:

How many miles a day do you do? There's the eVito which is available now, no rapid charge until this time next year though. Range is 150km with a 6-8 hour charge time at present

True, the eVito is actually out there and ready to buy. I'll take another look, but from past experience I discounted the Vito because the cargo area was not as tall as the Transit Custom. Maybe it's got bigger. We have a very specific size need (midsize van that allows for easy transporting of bikes).

[simonpieman]

TheRainMaker said:

There is an electric VW crafter kicking about, I believe it only had a range of 100 miles or so.

Have a look on YouTube.

I'd love a Crafter, but it's a big van and our need is for mid size.

[jjwilde]

simonpieman said:

True, the eVito is actually out there and ready to buy. I'll take another look, but from past experience I discounted the Vito because the cargo area was not as tall as the Transit Custom. Maybe it's got bigger. We have a very specific size need (midsize van that allows for easy transporting of bikes).

No rapid charge? Do not buy it.

[agent006]

simonpieman said:

Except that I don't believe it is available yet. Those pages have been on the Ford website for at least 3 months (when I first started thinking about getting a new van). See above for dealer response back then.

According to Prodrive, it's out this week:

https://twitter.com/prodrive/status/11764525517110...