An introduction to Volkswagen electric vans

There’s no question that electric vans are the future. As the UK Government’s ban on petrol and diesel vehicles looms on the horizon in 2030 the big names in the world of van manufacturing are increasing their investment in electric vans year after year, with many of their all-electric models – which have been years in the making – now coming to market.

 

If you and your business are keeping a keen eye on the future, you’ll no doubt be interested in what electric vans are available. So here, we take a look at what’s now on offer and or in development by one of the biggest marques in the van world, Volkswagen.

 

 

Why choose a VW electric van?

First and foremost, you know you’re getting a sturdy and reliable van when you choose Volkswagen. Some van models from the German manufacturer, such as the ever-present Transporter, have a history that stretches back some seven decades. This means the company has had time to perfect its craft, and today you’ll find an excellent range of commercial vehicles in all kinds of sizes, body styles and specs to ensure there’s a VW van prepped and ready to take on just about any job.

 

When it comes to making the switch to electric for your business vehicles, there are plenty of benefits. Not only will you avoid charges for road tax and save on fuel, but you won’t have to worry about any current or incoming Ultra Low Emission Zones or Clean Air Zones, where older more polluting vehicles could rack up fines in busy urban areas. By the time the 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles comes in, your business will have already adapted to the new normal.

 

Volkswagen is no stranger to all-electric driving either. The electric editions of their popular Up! and Golf car models began production in 2013 and 2014 respectively, though their entry into the electric light commercial vehicle sector is a more recent affair. Nevertheless, you can have full confidence that this established marque is making use of all the latest technology and innovation to produce electric vehicles that are cheap to run, a pleasure to drive and go the distance.

 

 

What Volkswagen electric van options are there?

 

ABT e-Transporter 6.1

The Transporter is VW’s timeless, original van. And thanks to the ABT e-Transporter 6.1, it now comes in a fully-electric guise. Produced in conjunction with auto tuning company ABT, the same high standards of the Transporter range are now matched with a well-performing underfloor battery that doesn’t compromise the load space in any way at all.

 

As it stands, the model is available in two variants, with 6.7m3 of load volume on offer up to a maximum payload of 996kg in the panel van. Meanwhile, the Kombi edition sacrifices some load volume for a row of rear seats, cutting this down to 4.4m3. This places the model firmly within the category of a medium van, and the space available should be suitable for all lines of work, including delivery drivers, couriers, and small businesses shifting stock, cargo and tools between sites.

 

The model is available in two trims, the standard and the advance, with the latter improving a little on features like 16 inch steel wheels, Front Assist with City Emergency Braking System, rear parking sensors and a 6.5 inch touchscreen. All the while the efficient engine contributes to a drive that’s quieter, lighter and smoother than what you’re used to.

 

Driving range for the ABT e-Transporter 6.1 is good at up to 82 miles in a charge. This should be sufficient if you hop around a town or city day-to-day.

 

Charging shouldn’t prove any hassle either. You can fully charge the model’s battery at home overnight with an alternating current (AC) charger, but with a direct current charger you could get your ABT e-Transporter 6.1 from 0-80% in as little as 45 minutes – though this requires the installation of a wallbox at home. Thankfully, there are Government grants available for this.

 

All in all, the ABT e-Transporter 6.1 is a well-rounded and reliable debut VW electric van.

 

ID. Buzz concept

Yet to get past concept stage, the ID. Buzz hopes to mark the next generation of the multi-purpose vehicle. An all-electric take on the legendary T1 campervan that started Volkswagen’s journey in van production, it’s packed full of futuristic features like self-driving modes, LED headlights and a touch sensitive steering wheel.

 

ID. Buzz Cargo

Taking the DNA of their ID. Buzz concept, VW has also begun exploring how the latest technologies might reshape the light commercial vehicle sector. Intended to be one of the most advanced commercial vans ever made, the model cleverly maximises load space by integrating the battery with the vehicle floor, resulting in a potential payload of 800kg. In terms of charging it could well be a gamechanger, getting from 0 to 80% capacity in as little as 15 minutes, while a solar module on the vehicle’s roof adds a further 15km to its range every day. And with some fine tuning it’s hoped the ID. Buzz Cargo could offer anything between 330km and 500km in range – enough to get you from London to Newcastle on a single charge.

 

 

At Northgate Vehicle Hire, we know how quickly things can change for your business. That’s why we offer convenient, flexible van hire agreements that give you all the tools you need to succeed, but only for as long as you need them. You won’t ever be stuck with a depreciating asset, nor will you need to worry about the large upfront cost of buying your next van. Simply hire the vans from us for as long as you need, anything up to 48 months at a time, while we take care of servicing, maintenance and breakdown cover.

 

You can search the vans we have available today using our online vehicle finder. If something catches your eye, give our helpful team a call on 0333 0430 001, or call in at your nearest branch and see some of the vans in person.