Electric vans

[Elsa TLC]

Im still on the look for a new van. Its difficult.

I look at the VW eTransporter its a 71 plate just over 4000 miles. A tad ove 15 grand

It has a range of only 80 miles.
Im thinking that
• I only work local now.
• One day it will need another battery
□ This can only get cheaper, hoping that the current battery lasts a while.
■Dide companies will start fitting them.

Should I keep clear or is it a no brain no go?

 

[Wayners]

I drive one at work but I don't own it.
My concern is that they don't hold money. I've seen vans 3 years old going through sales with bids of £4000 although that's trade.
I don't know. I sat in one van for a good 10 mins trying to get it move. Ha.

 

[flameport]

One day it will need another battery

That day will be long after the van is scrapped.

VW eTransporter

It has a range of only 80 miles

That is VWs first effort at an electric van. It was a substandard conversion done by some other company, and was done at a time when they thought electric vehicles would be a short lived novelty item and they might sell half a dozen.
It was junk when new and it hasn't improved with age.

That 80 mile range is not what you will get in real use. More like 60 in the summer, and a lot less in the winter.
The fact it's only done 4000 miles in 5 years tell you how useless it is. It's a heap of overpriced junk. Do not buy.

Pretty much any other electric van of that age will be vastly superior and much cheaper.

 

[Elsa TLC]

I was hoping someone would come along and say its a bargain.

This said I of the thinking that the body and other workings be of a VW standard and use the thing as not much more than a milk float doing jobs around a small town.

 

[Mottie]

It’s a bargain. Get it quick before somebody else does.

 

[flameport]

thinking that the body and other workings be of a VW standard

VW and other German labels such as 3 prong, Pigsnout and the four rings of Satan being of superior quality ended decades ago.

Today they are no better than other non-German manufacturers.
They are just sold at higher prices to people who continue to hope that the build quality of 1980s Mercedes cars still exists

 

[Avocet]

Probably too expensive as yet, but the Ford e-Custom is quite good. We use them at work. Claimed up to 200 mile range, but a genuine 130-160 (depending on time of year, how much stuff you carry round with you, etc), seems to be achievable. The 2.3 kW power take-off is pretty good too, if you're using power tools on-site. Don't worry about getting VW quality, the Custom is the new Transporter!