Something that fleet owners have been looking for is a more affordable D segment van with a fully electric drivetrain. Opel/Vauxhall is initially offering the van in two lengths, with two battery sizes and two body variants. Range on the 75kWh battery on the WLTP cycle is 188 miles, down from the 205 promised last year, but still useful. The 50kWh battery is offering 125 mi on the same cycle. The payload is slightly less than the combustion version, listed at 1226kg. Towing is limited to 1000kg, which will limit its versatility in some applications.
Charging capability is 100kW DC with a standard 7kW charger but an option for a 3 phase 11kW unit. With the ranges offered, many fleet users are less likely to see much presence on the public charging networks, as a return to base or home charging strategy will offer significant cost benefits. With most businesses seeing a typical daily mileage of under 100 miles or being parked up at sites with potential for some opportunity charging, most days may see no additional breaks in journeys. Hopefully, the van will come with a longer than average Type 2 lead, allowing for charging with reverse parking.
Early indication is that the entry price is £45,000. Although that may appear daunting, it is worth noting this public sector procurement report on the advantages of electric vehicles in the fleet. Worth noting are the strong residuals currently seen in EVs, which alongside reliability and longevity could result in a more expensive vehicle offering a usefully lower Total Cost of Ownership. With the implementation of more Low Emission Zones, these will certainly be a strong contender for businesses that have to make regular forays into town and cities.
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