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As the world turns towards green energy, one of the most actively involved players is the automotive industry. The market is packed with electric cars and plug-in hybrids that have been designed with the pure intention of conserving the environment. As the battery tech continues to advance, EV makers like Tesla are working around the clock to offer some of the best everyday cars, sports cars, and delivery vans.
In recent years, several electric vans have arrived at roads across the globe. These vans feature a design that prioritizes maximum cargo space over the payload. Along with these large vans arrived small electric vans designed for short trips, primarily urban delivery services. With this information in mind, read on for some of the best electric vans of 2021.
8 Vauxhall Vivaro-e
The Vivaro-e is one of the most versatile vans in the market — one of the best EVs that can double as a family car. It is a durable and practical van designed always to get the job done. Its 205-mile range per single charge means it can do more than most of its competitors.
The Vivaro-e is based on the diesel-powered Vivaro, and it features an electric motor placed where the engine is normally found. There's a battery pack under the cargo floor, meaning that the cargo space for the electric version is the same as the one on the gas-powered van. The van is offered in three options of two-panel van lengths and a double cab version.
7 Citroën e-Relay
The e-Relay is based on the diesel version of the Citroën Relay van. The 100% electric van combines all the best qualities of the diesel model with the added advantage of the electric motor to deliver one of the most reliable delivery vans on the market. The e-Relays sets the bar for other vans in its segment in terms of load space.
It features the best-in-class load width and a low load sill height, making it relatively easy to load cargo. The Citroën e-Relay can be easily ranked among the top best everyday EVs, thanks to its top-of-the-line everyday comfort characterized by comfortable seats, connectivity, and spacious interior.
6 Fiat E-Ducato
Previously, those who wanted to drive an electric Ducato had to turn to electric conversion specialists, who swapped the internal combustion engine with electric motors. The good news is that Fiat is now building an all-electric version of this van. The new version promises a long list of options and features for the e-Ducato buyers.
The van is offered in three lengths and three heights for 28 body styles in total. There's a chassis cab option for a passenger model that can accommodate up to nine people. Fiat offers the van with two battery options, with ranges of 137 and 224 miles. All factors considered, the e-Ducato is the better version of the gas-powered van.
5 Mercedes eSprinter
The eSprinter is a Mercedes electric van that closely follows in the footsteps of the eVito. It is a massive step for the company as Mercedes moves closer to its ultimate goal of electrifying its commercial vans.
For those who have driven the gas-powered Sprinter, this electric version will have many of its components drawn from there. The only notable difference is the available electric motor instead of an engine. And whether used as a delivery vehicle or customized to be a mobile workshop, the eSprinter proves to be very reliable.
4 Volkswagen Abt e-Transporter
The e-Transporter is a Volkswagen's officially sanctioned electric van, built by independent tuning specialist Abt. The van is sold at Volkswagen dealerships and bears the same warranty as the standard Transporter 6.1. The electric version is offered in one body length but is also available in five-seat Kombi spec.
The e-Transporter features Abt's e-line electric technology, which essentially adds the running gear of a Volkswagen e-Golf into the van. The battery pack is mounted below the cargo floor of the van, while the 109-horsepower motor runs the front wheels. This combination gives the e-Transporter a driving range of 82 miles.
3 Mercedes eVito
The eVito is the first all-electric Mercedes van. The eVito comes with all the advantages and benefits of the standard gas-powered Vito, making it a perfect choice for short-distance drives. Its battery pack offers a driving range of 93 miles.
Mercedes offers this van in two body lengths, but both have the same cargo volume as the diesel Vito. The eVito is charged via a socket, where the standard fuel filler sits. The battery pack takes six hours to recharge fully, but there's an available option for fast charging.
2 LEVC VN5
LEVC takes a whole different approach when building this van. While other plug-in hybrids use the gas engine to power the car when the battery juice goes out completely, the LEVC VN5 uses the power generated from its gasoline engine to power the electric motor, which powers the wheels. In short, the gas engine functions as an electricity generator for the van's electric motors.
The van has an all-electric driving range of 58 miles and a combined range of 300 miles, making the VN5 a perfect everyday city commuter and the best delivery van. If the battery stays charged, drivers might never need to engage the gas engine at all.
1 Renault Master E-Tech
The Renault Master E-Tech serves as a template for the kind of last-mile delivery vans recently seen on the roads. It has the perfect cargo space for package deliveries and the proper driving range of a daily driver vehicle.
The official range attached to the van is 124 miles, which can go as low as 50 miles during cold weather, which is still ideal for short trips. The battery pack takes between six and 17 hours to recharge fully. The van is sold in two lengths and two heights of panel vans. There's also the platform cab in two lengths for conversion purposes, making it easy to electrify any diesel van a customer can think of.