Volkswagen ABT e-Transporter dimensions (2020-on)
Looking for information about the Volkswagen ABT e-Transporter electric van’s dimensions, payload and towing capacity? Then you’ve come to the right place – we’ve collated all the details on this page. So if you need to know the answer to how much the electric Transporter can carry, keep reading.
However, if you want to know what the Transporter electric is like to drive, what standard equipment it comes with and what it will cost to run, then check out our main VW e-Transporter review page.
Volkswagen sells the electric e-Transporter in a reduced range of models compared with diesel versions of the Transporter – it comes only in the larger LWB body size with the standard roof height. You can, however, buy it as a kombi as well as a regular panel van.
The panel van version comes with seats for three up front and a full steel bulkhead between the people and the load area. The kombi seats five in total (two in the front, three in a second row of seating behind) and has an open load area.
Either way, the lithium-ion batteries that power the electric motor under the bonnet are stored beneath the load floor, so there’s no reduction in load volume compared with the Transporter diesel.
But the batteries do have a dramatic impact on the payload rating, detailed in the payload and towing section below.
Volkswagen e-Transporter exterior dimensions
Based on the LWB (long-wheelbase) diesel Transporter, the VW e-Transporter has following exterior dimensions:
- Exterior length: 5,304mm
- Exterior height: 1,990mm
- Exterior width including door mirrors: 2,297mm
- Exterior width excluding door mirrors: 1,904mm
- Wheelbase: 3,400mm
- Front overhang: 908mm
- Rear overhang: 993mm
All of the above apply to both the panel van and the kombi versions.
The major load space dimensions of the VW e-Transporter are as follows
| VW e-Transporter | Panel van | Kombi |
| Maximum load length (mm) | 2,975 | 2,938* |
| Maximum load height (mm) | 1,410 | 1,394 |
| Maximum load width (mm) | 1,700 | 1,700 |
| Width between wheelarches (mm) | 1,244 | 1,244 |
| Load volume (cubic metres) | 5.0 | 5.0* |
*These figures don't account for the kombi's three-seater rear bench, which is removable; with the rear bench in place you can still load along the floor to the maximum length, but the distance from the back of the van to the seat-back is 1,967mm.
There’s enough room inside the panel van for three Euro pallets.
All electric vans struggle to provide payload capacity that compares well with diesel models because the lithium ion batteries that power them are heavy.
As such, the e-Transporter is merely okay in this regard, being able to carry more at its best than the rival Mercedes-Benz eVito, but considerably less than the class-leading Vauxhall Vivaro-e, Citroen e-Dispatch and Peugeot e-Expert.
Volkswagen e-Transporter payload
Payload varies with trim level and standard equipment, as well as between the panel van and the kombi – these are the full officially ratings. VW is one of a few manufacturers that lists the payload excluding 75kg for the driver; the second figure is the official payload with 75kg added to make comparison with rival vans easier.
- VW e-Transporter panel van maximum payload: 996kg / 1,071kg
- VW e-Transporter panel van Advance maximum payload: 962kg / 1,037kg
- VW e-Transporter kombi maximum payload: 900kg / 975kg
- VW e-Transporter kombi Advance maximum payload: 877kg / 952kg
Volkswagen e-Transporter towing capacity
Up until 2020 you’d have struggled to find any electric van rated to tow, but the new breed of medium-sized e-vans do have some towing capability.
The initial batch of UK e-Transporters are limited to 750kg only – that’s braked and unbraked. But we’re told that the vehicle has now been re-homologated with an unbraked towing rating of 1,500kg, which is better than any other electric van on the market.
