LEVC VN5 dimensions (2020-on)

LEVC’s taxi-based VN5 van only comes in a single size at present, but it is a slightly unusual one, slotting in between the conventional small and medium van sectors. This has some implications for its practicality, just as the substantial 400kg lithium ion battery pack below the load floor impacts the ultimate payload.

That said, for all that it’s partially based on a passenger vehicle, a lot of thought has gone into making it user-friendly as a van. The wheelbase is 400mm longer than the TX5 taxi to benefit the load space, and the side door opening is a massive 1,128mm wide, easily making it possible to load a Euro pallet.

You get a single side door as standard, though two can be optioned and even the standard one can be deleted if not required.

There’s enough floor space for two Euro pallets in total, and all versions of the VN5 come with a fixed bulkhead and four load-lashing tie-down points as standard (top spec Ultima models get eight, which is available as a cheap optional upgrade for other models in the range as well).

The bulkhead can be deleted if not required, as can the front passenger seat.

LEVC has been working closer with converters and racking manufacturers to make sure there is support for this new van right from the start of production, too. All models come equipped with a converter interface plug.

LEVC VN5 external dimensions

These are the outside dimensions of the VN5 electric van:

• Exterior length: 5,233mm
• Exterior height: 1,990mm (1,932mm fully laden)
• Exterior width including door mirrors: 2,083mm
• Exterior width excluding door mirrors: 1,945mm
• Wheelbase: 3,386mm
• Front overhang: 941mm
• Rear overhang: 906mm
• Ground clearance (fully loaded): 156mm

LEVC VN5 load area dimensions

These are the main dimensions of the load space in the VN5 electric van:

• Maximum load length: 2,447mm
• Maximum load height: 1,373mm
• Maximum load width: 1,574mm
• Width between the wheelarches: 1,109mm
• Load volume: 5.5 cubic metres
• Side door entry height: 1,199mm
• Side door entry width: 938-1,128mm
• Rear door entry height: 1,272mm
• Rear door entry width: 1,253mm
• Rear loading / step-in height: 640mm

Note that the rear step-in height is quite high for this size of van; this is due to the clearance needed for the electric motor attached to the rear axle under the floor.

The rear doors are split 60:40, and can be opened to up to 180 degrees.

The LEVC VN5 has a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 2,900kg – and around 400kg of that is immediately eaten up by the battery pack, slightly restricting the available payload. This also varies with trim level, as the fancier the van the greater the amount of standard equipment.

That said, for a small-ish electrified van carrying around enough juice for a claimed 61 miles of pure-electric driving and a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine acting a range-extending back-up generator to enable a total claimed driving range of 304 miles between fuel stops, the payload ratings do seem pretty reasonable.

LEVC VN5 payload ratings:

• Business: 694-830kg
• City: 691-791kg
• Ultima: 680-780kg

As you can see from this, the entry-level Business trim level provides the maximum possible payload, which is 830kg.

If you want a range-extender electric van with more payload capacity, check out the Ford Transit Custom Plug-In Hybrid (though this can’t match the VN5 for pure-electric driving).

LEVC VN5 towing capacity

Can you tow with an LEVC VN5 electric van?

No.

The gross train weight (GTW) is the same as the GVW at 2,900kg, which means the VN5 has nno towing rating at all. This isn’t especially unusual for vans with electric drivetrains, but if you do want an electric van that can tow, check out the Vauxhall Vivaro-e, Citroen e-Dispatch and Peugeot e-Expert – all versions of the same vehicle and all rated to tow 1,000kg (1.0-tonne).

Also read:

>> LEVC VN5 main review

>> The Parkers guide to electric vans

>> Best electric vans

>> Electric vans coming soon