Electric vans might be in the minority in 2023 but their numbers are increasing all the time, both in terms of the models on offer and how many are being sold. If you’re looking to make the case for going electric then these are the battery-powered vans that are on their way in 2023 and beyond.
Now that the new Ford E-Transit is on sale, attention moves to the next models on the way. The latest developments include news on the forthcoming electric Ford E-Transit Custom and Ford E-Transit Courier, an update on Arrival’s change of priorities and more on the small electric vans from the Mercedes / Nissan / Renault partnership. The revival of the Morris name has had a boost, too, with the company behind the JE van getting an injection of cash.
There are a huge number of new electric vehicles (EVs) on the way from a wide range of manufacturers – and that’s in addition to the electric vans that are already on sale. There are so many electric models coming soon, in fact, that we’ve divided the list by van size:
> Large electric vans on sale soon
> Medium electric vans on sale soon
> Small electric vans on sale soon
Need to know more about whether an electric van is suitable for you and your business? Then check out the main Parkers guide to electric vans, which has all the pros and cons, plus lots more information that will help you make the right decision about switching to electric.
Not ready to commit to full electric power yet? Then try our article on the best hybrid vans instead.
Large electric vans on sale soon
Arrival
Arrival is a new player in the electric van (and bus) market based in the UK and the USA. The first real details of the electric van were revealed in March 2021, ahead of public trials that started in summer 2021. In autumn 2022 the initial claims and predictions of a launch by the end of the year started to unravel, due to financial constraints. Things didn’t improve in 2023 when the company slashed half of its global workforce in a bid to drastically reduce costs.
In spring 2022 the expectation was that the UK microfactory in Bicester would produce as many as 600 vans by the end of the year, but this was downgraded to just 20 in September 2022. The UK plans were dealt a bitter blow in October, though, with Arrival refocusing its attention on its other planned microfactory in Charlotte, USA. This will result in big job losses in the UK, and throws the future timeline into great uncertainty.
Here’s hoping it does make it here, as the tech sounds exciting. It’ll be made using composite panels and aluminium and it is set to promise four battery sizes and a maximum potential payload of up 1,975kg and a driving range of up to 211 miles per charge. Fleets might have been interested but they’ll have to look elsewhere for now.
Mercedes-Benz eSprinter next-generation
While UK sales of the current eSprinter only began in the latter part of 2020, Mercedes has already announced plans for the next-generation model. The difference is that this will use a new rear-wheel drive Electric Versatility Platform for greater performance and flexibility.
Splitting the electric components across three modules and coming with three battery sizes, this will allow the future eSprinter to be offered in a choice of body types, including chassis cabs, minibuses and ambulances.
Volkswagen e-Crafter
Although the e-Crafter was originally supposed to be coming to the UK, and is available in left-hand drive already – we’ve driven it – it’s not coming over in right-hand-drive format any time soon. There were hopes that we would get a version in the UK at the mid-life facelift point, but VW has now confirmed that we won’t get an electric Crafter until the next version arrives, which is currently set to be 2026.
Given that the current generation of e-Crafter only boasted a 71-mile maximum driving range, we’d suggest this is probably best for all concerned.
Medium electric vans on sale soon
Renault Trafic E-Tech
The Renault Trafic E-Tech will complete the set of electric vans for the brand, joining the Master E-Tech and the new Kangoo E-Tech in the range. The medium-sized van will take the same approach as the larger Master, though, in being a conversion of an existing product – the Kangoo is a new model that was designed to be electric from the outset.
The initial stats look, well, average rather than ground-breaking. A maximum range of 149 miles courtesy of a 90kW motor and a 52kWh battery. Payloads are yet to be confirmed but Renault says it will be able to take up to 1.1 tonnes.
It should offer some choice, though, with two lengths and two heights to choose from when it arrives.
Maxus eDeliver 7
The Maxus eDeliver 7 will be the third electric van in the Chinese brand’s rapidly expanding range. As the name suggests, it will sit in between the eDeliver 3 and the eDeliver 9, targeting electric rivals such as the Mercedes-Benz eVito and the forthcoming Ford E-Transit Custom.
Maxus might well not be done there either – there are mutterings about an eDeliver 5 in the future too, which could cross over with the 7 slightly in terms of size. We’ll know more when the 7 is revealed at the 2023 CV Show.
Morris Commercial JE
The old Morris Commercial brand has been resurrected by what’s described as a ‘UK management team.’ The original plan was to put this retro-looking electric van into production in 2021 but things have been delayed a little and we still don’t have a confirmed on-sale date and we haven’t had a chance to drive it yet.
As of early 2023, though, things are looking a little more positive as the company has produced a second prototype, had a new injection of funding and is promising a 2024 launch.
Appearance aside, this is a high-tech machine. The body is made from carbonfibre, the battery is a substantial 60kWh and prototypes have been testing since 2017. You can pre-order one should you wish but you may want to consider how much that retro look means to you – prices are set to start at around £60,000. This is a lot for a medium-size van, even an electric one.
Ford E-Transit Custom
Ford has confirmed that the next-generation of Ford Transit Custom is scheduled to go into production in 2023 – and that it will be available as a 100% electric van in addition to conventional diesel, mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions.
All part of Ford’s commitment to making sure that every one of its commercial vehicles is ‘zero-emissions capable‘ by 2024.
The final version of the new E-Transit Custom was revealed in September 2022, first in a press preview event and then, shortly afterwards, to the public at the IAA Transportation show in Hanover. It is tabled to come with a 236-mile range, a payload of up to 1,100kg and a 2,000kg maximum towing capacity. It should also be compatible with 125kW fast charging.
Kia Purpose Built Vehicles
This is an exciting one – Kia has confirmed that it has started the process of producing a range of commercial vehicles. The Purpose Built Vehicles (or PBVs) are all electric, based on a dedicated and flexible ‘skateboard style’ platform and could start arriving as early as 2025.
The medium van should come first, but this will be followed by a larger one and a micro van, which seems to be about the same size as a Citroen Ami if the above image is anything to go by.
Small electric vans coming soon
Ford E-Transit Courier
Ford’s smallest van, the Transit Courier, is going electric. The Ford E-Transit Courier is bigger, stronger and smarter than the outgoing and aged model. More excitingly, though, it is also getting an electric powertrain.
We don’t yet have masses of information about the new electric model – at least not in terms of what range and battery it will come with – but we know a few choice snippets. It’ll have a 136hp motor, has a bigger payload than the old diesel version and will be with us before the end of 2024.
BYD electric van
File this one under ‘small electric vans that might be coming soon’ as things from BYD have gone a little quiet of late. However, BYD is a large Chinese carmaker that has big ambitions in the area of electrification, and is about to start expanding into Europe. It’s starting with the Atto 3 SUV but the expansion plans are expected to include a new pure electric small van.
If you think it looks like a Nissan e-NV200 you’re not alone. There are no technical details yet – nor any confirmation that the UK is a target market.
Mercedes-Benz eCitan
Delays mean that we have a little longer to wait for it, but there is a fully electric version of the Mercedes-Benz Citan on the way. Called the eCitan, it is set to offer 177 miles of driving range per charge using a 44kWh battery.
As before, the new Citan will share its platform with the Renault Kangoo – which is also set to come as an electric model – but this time Mercedes will not only go for electric power as well as diesel, it’s also had much greater say in the development of the underlying platform. Expected in the UK in mid 2023.
Nissan Townstar
Nissan will be the third brand to offer a small van on the platform that sits under the Mercedes-Benz Citan and Renault Kangoo, and unsurprisingly it will offer an electric version of its Townstar as well.
The name might not sound familiar, but that’s because it is an all-new one. This model will be replacing the e-NV200 and the NV250 vans and consolidating them into one single vehicle. It should be a significant upgrade over the e-NV200, with a predicted range of 177 miles thanks to a 122hp / 245Nm electric motor with a 44kWh battery pack.
Expect it to go on sale late in mid 2023, but we should be getting more information – and a chance to drive it – in spring this year.
