The clock is ticking on the Stellantis pledge to have electrified versions of its entire van range by the end of 2021.
There can be no doubt that component shortages are affecting motor vehicle manufacturers across the board, delaying production plans. Those plans took a further step forward for Stellantis when the company made versions of its Vauxhall Combo-e, Peugeot e-Partner and Citroën ë-Berlingo available to drive in late October.
We were able to take to French roads in both the e-Partner and ë-Berlingo, but unfortunately, not the Combo-e at the same time.
What’s new about the e-vans?
Just like the larger ë-Dispatch and e-Expert models launched last year, the smaller vans were designed from launch to be electrically powered, so the company has had no need to convert the petrol and diesel variants to electric power.
Stellantis can also draw on the experience of the larger models in the design of its powertrain and control layout inside the vehicles.
Inside the cabin
That is good news for drivers as the same controls have been carried over to the ë-Berlingo, Combo-e and e-Partner and these are logical and straightforward to use.
The drive controls are based on three switches positioned where the gear lever/selector would normally be. This consists of a large self-centring drive selector, similar to an automatic transmission selector giving the choice of P (Park), R (Reverse), N (Neutral) and D (Drive).
The selected drive direction is shown in the neighbouring panel where the appropriate P, R, N or D will light up accordingly. The selection is also shown on the digital panel in front of the driver. P for Park is selected by pressing the P button, separate from the drive selector, which automatically cancels the drive selection and locks the transmission, just like a conventional automatic.
The additional button on the panel marked B will select enhanced regenerative braking when pressed, particularly useful when driving in stop/start traffic as it can greatly reduce brake pedal use and therefore brake wear.
I mentioned the digital instrument panel, which is new for the electric models. The petrol and diesel Berlingo, Partner and Combo models use conventional analogue instruments. This makes the ë-Berlingo and e-Partner the first Peugeot and Citroën LCVs to gain digital instruments, enabling drivers to call up information on the screen in front of them to suit their needs.
Body options
Power source apart, the vans are available with the same body options as other Berlingo, Partner and Combo models, which means a choice of two lengths as well as a crew van variant.
The batteries do not intrude into the load area, ensuring that the load capacity is the same as the conventionally powered models. That means up to 3,900 litres for standard length models and up to 4,400 litres for long wheelbase models, in both cases equipped with a through-loading bulkhead and folding passenger seat. Standard length models will carry payloads up to 750kg and longer versions, 800kg.
On the road
The ë-Berlingo and e-Partner are as simple to drive as we would expect from an electric van. To start, just press the brake pedal and press the start button and the digital displays will come to life.
Lightly pressing the accelerator will automatically release the parking brake and you’re off. You can switch between the three driving modes on the move. Propelling the van is a 100kW (134hp) drive motor, but you will only get the full 100kW in “Power” mode. The default setting is “Normal” which limits power to 80kW while “Eco” will limit power further to 60kW to optimise the 171-mile range.
Since electric motors produce peak torque from rest, the van does not feel short of power even in Eco mode. We first drove an ë-Berlingo M (standard length) with a 200kg load, which ensured a more controlled ride, but made little difference to performance. We then followed this with an unladen Long variant of the e-Partner.
The longer wheelbase helped to smooth the unladen ride. We will have to wait for a full test before we can assess range and how that can be optimised, but in our experience with an ë-Dispatch, using the speed limiter with B enhanced regenerative braking selected as well as Eco mode will help to maximise the available range for long distance driving. If you are driving locally and charging overnight, the 171-mile range should be more than adequate for a day’s work.
Similar vehicles
Citroën Berlingo | Fiat Fiorino | Maxus e Deliver 3 | Mercedes-Benz Citan | Nissan Townstar | Peugeot Partner | Renault Kangoo | Toyota Proace City | Vauxhall Combo | Volkswagen Caddy
At the moment, the Peugeot/Citroën/Vauxhall trio has the UK small electric van market largely to itself – apart from the Maxus e Deliver 3 – but that’s not going to last for long.
Soon to arrive will be the rival electric trio of the all-new Renault Kangoo, Mercedes-Benz Citan and Nissan Townstar models, which promise to give the Stellantis triplets a hard time.
Technical specifications
| Specifications for the Vauxhall e-Combo, Peugeot e-Partner and Citroën ë-Berlingo | ||
| Motor: 100kW | ||
| Drive modes: Normal – 80kW; Eco – 60kW; Power – 100kW | ||
| Range: Up to 171 miles | ||
| Charging: AC and DC rapid charging | ||
| Load Volume: Up to 4,400 litres | ||
| Payload: Up to 800kg |
