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It's a name everyone is familiar with, but there's more to Volkswagen than just the VW badge, so let's find out exactly who does Volkswagen own, because the answer is a lot.

Volkswagen is Europe’s top car manufacturer, and has been known to also be the world’s number one car maker as well, regularly battling it out with Toyota and the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance.

Their portfolio is massive with more than 600,000 employees worldwide and an enormous business empire spanning the globe. It also has nearly 100 years of history behind it as well.

What brands do VW own?

The most obvious brands owned by VW are the ones with Volkswagen in the title, so that’s Volkswagen, the maker of the passenger cars, and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

There are, however, scores of other brands within the Volkswagen Group business, all of which are household names, ranging from motorbikes and supercars up to heavy goods vehicles and buses.

So, who do Volkswagen group own? Here are the main automotive brands owned by Volkswagen.

The company can pretty much be split into three segments with regular passenger cars, luxury brands and commercial vehicles.

However, Volkswagen has several interests beyond just producing cars, they are investors in hundreds of smaller companies (and also some very large ones), many of which supply their automotive businesses.

Perhaps the most famous, or infamous given the criticism they’ve had over the years, is CARIAD the automotive software company.

Volkswagen and passenger cars

From the humble beginnings of the Beetle, the Volkswagen Group now produces more than 100 car models in thousands of iterations. Its core brands of Audi, SEAT, Skoda and Volkswagen account for the group’s volume sales across the world.

Luxury brands

The roster of high-value and luxury brands in the Volkswagen Group is astonishing with Porsche, Bentley and even Lamborghini eclipsed by the majesty of Bugatti. As if that’s not enough, there’s also performance motorbike brand Ducati, as well.

Commercial vehicles

It’s not all just about cars, though. The VW Group has a massive portfolio of heavy and light goods vehicles.

There’s Scania and MAN that are both owned by Volkswagen in a subsidiary called Traton, or Traton Group, which also includes Volkswagen Truck & Bus – a Latin American bus and heavy truck business.

That’s also not to be confused with Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles which sells all of the Volkswagen vans we know and love from the Caddy, Transporter and Crafter as well as Amarok pick-up truck.

Traton Group Logo

How many companies does Volkswagen own?

A lot. Apart from the brands listed above, and the software business mentioned as well, Volkswagen Group has a large financial services portfolio.

There are financial services for Lamborghini, Bentley, Porsche, Volkswagen (and Volkswagen Leasing)  as well as a Marine and Industrial Motor division.

Volkswagen Group Fleet International, Group Supply and Air Service all make up part of its logistics operations and there are international busineses in China, Japan, India, America, Australia, Mexico, Brazil and many many more.

Overall, Volkswagen is active in around 150 countries, producing more than 9m cars annually with €322bn in revenues in 2023.

Volkswagen Group brands

Below we’ll outline a few facts about each of the Volkswagen Group automotive brands

Volkswagen

Volkswagen is the original people’s car, founded in 1937 in Berlin by the German Labour Front it was Adolf Hitler who ordered the creation of an affordable car for the masses capable of cruising on the autobahn with two adults and three children on board.

The outcome was the Volkswagen Beetle, a triumph of automotive production that remained in production from 1938 through until 2019.

Other notable success stories include the Golf, which was for many year’s their most successful car, however, the Tiguan surpassed the Golf in 2019.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles

While the passenger cars had the Beetle, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles owes all of its success to the Transporter.

The Transporter, also known as Bulli, Kombi, VW bus or microbus, was first launched to the world at the Commercial Motor Show at Earl’s Court, London in 1954, but prototypes of the T1 were made in 1949 followed by a domestic product.

It used the engine and gearbox from the Beetle and could manage an impressive 750kg payload.

Audi

Founded in 1910 by August Horch, its name derives from the Latin translation of "Horch," meaning "listen." The iconic four-ring logo symbolizes the 1932 merger of Audi, Horch, DKW, and Wanderer.

Auto Union was acquired by Volkswagen in 1965 from Daimler-Benz, relaunching as Audi.

Bentley

Headquartered in Crewe, Bentley was founded in 1909 by brothers Walter Owen Bentley and Horace Miller Bentley and has been part of VW since 1998.

During the Great Depression, it went into receivership in 1931 and was sold to British Central Equitable Trust, a front company for Rolls-Royce. After Rolls and Bentley were separated in 1973, Bentley focused on cars while Rolls-Royce developed its aerospace business.

Bentley was sold to Volkswagen in in the late Nineties, but it’s believed VW boss Ferdinand Piëch had hoped he was buying both Rolls-Royce and Bentley. Sadly the aerospace business, retained the Rolls-Royce name and the logo – eventually selling them to BMW.

Bugatti

Volkswagen bought Bugatti in 1998. The company had been mothballed and not made a car in years. Piech wanted Bugatti to create the world’s fastest car and leveraged much of the VW group’s skills (those acquired from ownership of Bentley, Audi and Lamborghini) to do so.

In 2000 Volkswagen incorporated Bugatti Automobiles and the story of the Veyron hypercar began.

Bugatti Automobiles is now owned by Bugatti Rimac company – a joint venture, part owned by Porsche (45%) and Rimac Group (55%).

Bugatti-Rimac company CEO is Mate Rimac a Croatian innovator and entrepreneur, and founder of electric hypercar company Rimac. To make matters more confusing, Porsche also owns 22% of the Rimac Group.

Cupra

The newest name in the Volkswagen stable of brands, Cupra is the sporty version of SEAT. Known for its racing team – Cup Racing – in the 1990s, Cupra became a badge on the Seat Ibiza and Seat Leon cars before eventually being carved off as a sister-brand in 2018 – much like Citroen did with DS.

Ducati

Through Volkswagen Group’s ownership of Lamborghini the company took a majority stake in the Italian design house Italdesign Giugiaro, in 2010, adding to their portfolio of Italian super brands with motorcycle manufacturer Ducati in 2012.

Lamborghini

Perhaps the most evocative name in the VW Group brand portfolio, Volkswagen came to the resure of Lamborghini in 1998 after a string of fairly disastrous ownership periods.

After falling into bankruptcy in  1973, the company founded in 1963 by Ferruccio Lamborghini in Sant'Agata Bolognese, was sold to investors who again filed for bankruptcy in 1978. Chrysler then bought Lamborghini in 1987 but sold it to South East Asian investments firms in 1994.

Four years later it was sold to VW who now share IP for its supercars and performance SUVs with Audi.

MAN

MAN is the company responsible for the development of the diesel engine, so if that’s not reason enough to buy them then we’re not sure what is.

Rudolf Christian Karl Diesel was a German inventor and mechanical engineer who invented the diesel engine and the company which eventually became known as MAN was the first to adopt it. The first prototype to run under its own diesel power was in August 10, 1893. Later they would also be the first manufacture with direct diesel fuel injection in 1923.

VW acquired MAN in 2011, but had been a minority share holder in the business since 2006.

Porsche

Founded in 1931 by Ferdinand Porsche, the saga of Porsche and VW is a confusing one with several ch angles of ownership stakes between the two famous names.

Volkswagen Group purchased Porsche in 2012, but that was only after Porsche, which owned 50.7% of V,  tried to buy the remaining 49.3% of its future owners. Hostile or un-hostile takeover, it was a tumultuous period for both manufacturers including boardroom struggles between executive and the Piech family.

More recently Porsche has undergone an IPO to launch itself as a separate business identity on the stock exchange. 

Scania

Arguably the most prestigious brand in the heavy goods world, Scania has been part of the VW Group since 2008 with a minority stake held since 2000.

Scania, along with MAN, now form part of the Traton Group within Volkswagen.

SEAT

Volkswagen bought a controlling stake in SEAT in 1986, buying it outright in 1990 when the Spanish government gave up their stake, making it the first non-German brand within the VW Group. .

A spin off brand,  CUPRA, was launched in 2018 based on the highly successful performance versions of their affordable family cars.

Skoda

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, VW signed a joint venture with Czech manufacturer Skoda, taking a 30% stake in the automaker. VW continued to increase its shareholding, purchasing a controlling stake in 1994, before eventually completing the takeover in 2000.

Skoda was founded in 1895 as bicycle manufacturer Laurin & Klement. In 1925 arms maker Skoda Works took control, building tanks in World War Two while under the German occupation of Czechoslovakia.

Ineos is a global chemical company owned by British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe. It operates in the oil, gas and petrochemical sector, and is thought to be the world's second largest chemical manufacturer.

Founded in 1998, Ineos was formed to acquire the former BP site at Antwerp from Inspec. Through a string of acquisitions in the early 2000s, Ineos grew in stature forming a host of companies including Ineos Nitriles, Ineos Olefins, Ineos Olefins & Polymers USA, Ineos Oligomers, Ineos Polyolefins, Ineos Refining and Ineos Technologies.

Their products cover almost every aspect of modern day life in a diverse range of industries, from automotive and electronics to consumer goods and healthcare.

More recently they have become a household name with top-level sponsorship of Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One team, the Ineos Grenadier Pro Cycling team, and the Ineos Britannia sailing team led by Sir Ben Ainslie.

How big is Ineos?

As companies come, Ineos is pretty massive. At the latest count, Ineos is made up of 36 businesses, operating out of 194 sites in 29 countries.

Its petrochemical production business alone operates from more than 30 production sites and produces more than 20m tonnes of petrochemicals per year.

As well as oil, gas and chemicals, Ineos owns consumer brand Belstaff clothing, as well as Ineos Automotive, makers of the Ineos Grenadier car, and the Ineos Hygienics brands.

Sterile Sanitiser gel made by Ineos

Who owns Ineos Grenadier?

Ineos and the Ineos Automotive car company are majority owned by billionaire CEO James Ratcliffe.

Born 18 October 1952, Ratcliffe is the chairman and CEO of the Ineos chemicals group which he founded in 1998 following a career that included working for Esso, chemical company Courtaulds and a US private equity firm.

Ratcliffe formed Ineos in 1998 and proceeded to buy up several unwanted companies in the chemical sector, creating a powerful business in a wide variety of segments of the petrochemical sector.

In 2018 he was named by the Sunday Times as the UK's richest person with a fortune of £21bn.

Since then, Ratcliffe has risen in prominence after acquiring a stake in Manchester United football club, adding to the other football interest of Ineos which include OGC Nice in France and Lausanne-Sport in Switzerland.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe outside The Grenadier pub in Belgravia, London

Is Ineos a British company?

Yes. Ineos is a British company, headquartered in London.

In April 2010, Ineos moved its head office from Hampshire to Rolle in Switzerland. This is said to have saved the company millions a year in tax.

However, in 2015, a new UK headquarters was opened in Knightsbridge, London.

Is the Ineos Grenadier classed as a commercial vehicle?

Yes, the Ineos Grenadier can be classed as a commercial vehicle depending on what version you have.

The Grenadier was launched as both a Station Wagon and as a Utility Wagon. Both are passenger cars with five seats, but the Utility Wagon had the benefit of having a commercial vehicle sized rear loadspace that enabled it to be registered as a commercial vehicle.

More recently Ineos has launched the Ineos Grenadier Commercial, a dedicated commercial vehicle model that is both a commercial vehicle for road tax and VAT purposes.

Where is the Ineos Grenadier factory?

Ineos Grenadier factory in Hambach Germany

All models of the Ineos Grenadier are produced at a former Mercedes-Benz factory in Hambach, Germany.

The 210,000 sq m facility employs a workforce of 1,000 and is close to the German automotive cluster around Mercedes' home town of Stuttgart.

Ineos bought the Hambach factory from Mercedes-Benz in January 2021, refitting it with an investment of more than €50m.

The Grenadier line includes a new semi-automated paintshop, a new fully-automated bodyshop, and a new quality centre, it also continues to produce cars under licence for Mercedes.

During 2021/22, INEOS Automotive produced 43,500 Smart cars and 59,000 Mercedes-Benz EQA front-end modules.

When it comes to towing you'll hear a lot of talk about braked and unbraked trailers but what exactly is the difference between the two?

In this article we'll look at the difference bettwen braked and unbraked trailers, but also go into the details on what is a braked trailer, what is an unbraked trailer and a few bits around the legislation and laws, including some facts about breakaway cables and when you need one.

For more details on towing visit the page for individual towing limits for specific van models. It's also worth checking the payload of your van if you're towing as well, so there's a handing van weights section as well.

Right... onto the main event, details about braked and unbraked trailers.

The difference between a braked and unbraked trailer

It will come as no surprise that the clue is in the name. The main difference between an unbraked trailer and a braked trailer is that an braked trailer has its own brakes and and unbraked trailer does not.

For a braked trailer, the trailer's brakes are connected to the towing vehicle. This is done by a mechanical linkage. It allows the the trailer to apply its own brakes when towing. If the towing vehicle brakes, then the trailer's brakes are also applied. It's a seemless and instant process that sees the vehicle and trailer work as one.

The mechanical link is provided through the tow bar, which will be connected to the towing vehicle's braking system.

If it is an unbraked trailer, the towing vehicle does all the braking. That means that the weight of the trailer is being stopped entirely by the brakes of the vehicle.

Pick-up truck towing trailer with a bull

Do I need a braked or unbraked trailer?

When you need a braked or unbraked trailer will depend entirely upon how much weight you are carying.

Trailers with a total kerb weight over 750kg must have their own brakes. So if you have a trailer of 751kg you are legally required to have brakes.

Braked trailers also need a breakaway cable. This automatically applies the trailer's parking brake if it becomes detached from the towing vehicle. So if you're trailer becomes uncoupled, it's not going to keep rolling down the road and end up in someone's front room.

The rules also state that an unbraked trailer requires a secondary coupling. So that's another method of securing the trailer to the towing vehicle. A back-up plan. In case anything goes wrong.

What is a braked trailer?

Let's try and get really nerdy about this.

A braked trailer is wheeled vehicle that is pulled by another vehicle with a co-dependant braking system. That means it has brakes that will function when told do to so by the towing vehicle.

If you brake in your van, the brakes on the trailer will work at the same time. That means that you're not getting the weight and the momentum of the trailer forced upon the van, and that the brakes are not going to have to help stop the trailer all by themselves.

Ford Ranger towing machine trailer

How much can a braked trailer tow?

The braked towing capacity is the maximum weight a vehicle can tow when the trailer has its own brakes.

The amount it can tow will depend upon the gross train weight of the towing vehicle. This is a design weight that includes the overall weight of the towing vehicle, the trailer and its payload.

For vans the gross train weight will usally not exceed 3.5 tonnes. This means a 3.5 tonne van can tow a 3.5-tonne trailer. In other words a trailer that with its cargo weighs a maximum of 3.5 tonnes.

How does a braked trailer work?

A braked trailer simply has mechanical brakes on the trailer's axle. A linkage from the towing vehicle connects the braking systems together - this is via the tow bar.

When the towing vehicle presses the brake pedals a hydraulic signal tells the brakes on the trailer to be applied as well.

Can I tow a braked trailer?

Any vehicle can tow a braked trailer if they have a braked trailer coupling. This is a tow bar trailer coupling that enabled trailers with brakes to be connected.

Trailers will either have a 7 pin or 13 pin interface to connect to the towing van or car and the trailer.

It will also have a coupling head - this is the round ball you usually associate with towing.

Other components include a handbrake, handle, breakaway cable and dampers.

Smart car on a braked trailer

How to tell if a trailer is braked?

You can tell if a trailer is braked by simply looking at the inside of the rear wheels of trailer. If the trailer has brakes then it is a braked trailer.

If the axles doesn't have any brakes in the wheel hubs then it is an unbreaked trailer.

You can also look for a mechanical linkage that connects the trailer brakes to the tow bar.

What is an unbraked trailer?

Ad you can probably guess the unbraked trailer meaning is the opposite of a braked trailer. An unbraked trailer is a trailer without brakes.

That means it must conform to a different set of rules and regulations about its weight and what vehicle is towing it.

An unbraked trailer is most commonly used for small items and can be known as a car trailer, travel trailer, traveller trailer or single axle trailer.

With an unbraked trailer the towing vehicle is responsible for all the braking. That means the weight of the trailer will all have to be stopped by the braked of the car or van towing it.

Speedboat on a braked trailer

How much can I tow unbraked?

Thr maximum unbraked trailer weight in the UK is 750kg. This is the safe limit that cars and vans are allowed to tow a trailer without the added addition of trailer brakes on the trailer being towed.

The unbraked trailer towing capacity is the maximum weight it can tow when the trailer doesn't have its own brakes and that's been set at 750kg.

The eagle-eyed amongst you (and those that know their vans) will see that 3.5-tonnes plus 750kg is equal to 4.25-tonnes. That's important because that is currently the permissible weight for electric vehicles to operate at with special dispensation for B-licence holders.

In other words, the government has looked at the trailer towing regulations and decided that a van towing a 750kg trailer is safe, so therefore a 4.25-tonne van with batteries and a full payload must also be a safe weight.

That means that a 4.25-tonne electric van cannot tow a 750kg trailer and still be driveable with a B-licence. That's despite large vans like the Ford Transit and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter having much higher towing capacities.

The Mercedes Sprinter van towing capacity is actually 3,500kg (7716 lbs) which will require a different category of licence. Read more on the licences needed to drive a van.

Most vans and other vehicles can tow a lot more weight with a braked trailer than they can with an unbraked trailer.

pick-up truck towing a house

What is a trailer breakaway cable?

Another requirement for a trailer is to have a breakaway cable attached to the towing vehicle.

It is a secondary tether designed to secure the trailer in the event that it becomes de-coupled or unattached.

Most people will want to know "do you need a breakaway cable on my trailer" well the simple answer is 'yes' and here's why.

Does an unbraked trailer need a breakaway cable?

A breakaway cable is a legal requirement for all braked trailers and caravans. Unbraked trailers also need to have a breakaway cable as in the event of coupling detachment it is designed to apply the handbrake of the towed vehicle before allowing it to break away and come to a stop.

A secondary coupling is a legal requirement for all unbraked trailers.

Is it illegal to tow without a breakaway cable?

The law in the UK requires all trailers and caravans with a weight of - or a maximum technically permissible laden mass (MTPLM) - between 750kg and 3500kg to be fitted with a safety device to provide protection should the towing vehicle and trailer separate.

car towing a caravan

Is it legal to fit your own towbar in the UK?

Yes it is legal to fit your own towbar, however, the towbar itself must be an EC Approved towbar.

This will be apparent from a label or plate that displays the EC approval number.

Although you can install your own towabr, be warned, if a towbar is not installed correctly then it is both dangerous and illegal. For this reason, many people choose to use a professional fitting service instead.

The General Safety Regulation 2019/2144, more commonly reffered to as GSR2 is a new standard that vehicles including cars, vans, trucks and trailers have to adhere to.

Coming into force in from July 2024, all vehicles registered in the EU must comply with GSR2 as part of the EU's 'Vision Zero' goals to have zero road fatalities or serious injuries on Europe's roads by 2050.

The first GSR regulations were introduced on 6 July 2022 with mandatory advanced driver assistant systems to improve road safety. It's purpose was to establishes the legal framework for the approval of automated and fully driverless vehicles within the EU.

The hope was that the new safety measures would better protect passengers, pedestrians and cyclists, saving more than 25,000 lives and 140,000 serious injuries by 2038.

What were the first GSR rules?

The 2022 measures introduced a handful of mandatory safety features to help assist the driver of all vehicles from cars, vans, trucks and buses.

These included: Intelligent speed assistance, reversing detection with camera or sensors, attention warning in case of driver drowsiness or distraction, event data recorders as well as an emergency stop signal.

Additionally, for cars and vans, the original GSR meant they had to have lane keeping systems and automated braking.

What is GSR2?

GSR2 is the updated version of, you guessed it, GSR. It's a more strigent set of regulations with an eye on the fast-evolving technology for autonomous vehicles and drivereless cars.

As part of GSR2 safety regulations there are now more than 20 technology systems required to be standard on all new cars and vans sold in the EU and the UK.

Plans had been discussed for more than a decade before the EU finalised its proposals during 2019.

Existing vans already on sale also had to be retrofitted with the upgrades in order to stay on sale, prompting a range of minor upgrades and specification changes. GSR2 has also meant a levelling of the playing fields and more harmony between brands. Where previously the more premium brands were the vans to have an abundance of safety systems, there is now a higher level of systems across the board.

We use large vans for just about everything in the UK, from delivering groceries and online shopping to filling in potholes, taking people to hospital and moving house, but what is the best large electric van on sale?

There's such a wide range of uses for an large electric van from chassis versions with tipper or dropside bodies through to good old Luton vans that can empty out a small house. But for the benefit of this article and to determine what is the best large electric van currently on sale we're going to look just at the panel van variants.

However, it's important to know that because there's a special dispensation for large vans that allow regular car driving licence holders to drive an electric van up to 4.25-tonnes, the range of bodies and versions many manufacturers intend to bring to market for their large electric vans is quite dizzying.

Anyway, here's a rundown of some of the ones we like the best.

Mercedes-Benz eSprinter

Mercedes-Benz eSprinter on the road in America

Version two of the eSprinter is a competitive and sensible large electric van that is finally a realistic buying option for anyone in the market for a big electric van.

Mercedes-Benz's first electric Sprinter arrived in 2020 but it was definitely a false start with a small battery and slow charging.

The original eSprinter used an 85kW motor and 55kWh battery pack, borrowing from the eVito of the time. The problem was that both were electric vans based on diesel versions and they lacked the high-end functions that users have come to expect from Mercedes.

Even the MBUX infotainment system was a step backwards and failed to incorporate useful details about the electric driveline. However, the biggest negative was the anxiety-inducing range of just 95 miles.

In contrast, the 2024 version of the Mercedes-Benz eSprinter gets a claimed range of up to 277 miles.

The new model is available with two battery sizes of 81kWh and 113kWh with two motor power outputs of 100kW and 150kW. The Mercedes-Benz eSprinter dimensions are also not quite the same as the extensive range of the diesel van, but there are two lengths (L2 and L3) and panel van and chassis cab variants.

The eSprinter comes with three driving modes, Maximum Range, Economic and Comfort, which control engine power, engine torque and climate control.

Mercedes also offers a choice of regenerative braking modes, which are selected via paddle levers on the steering wheel.

These range from D-, which delivers the least recuperation, to D++, which provides the stiffest retardation.

Renault Master E-Tech

Renault Master E-Tech with IVOTY winner badge

Renault's progress in the large electric van sector saw it launch the Master ZE in 2018 with power coming from a 33kWh battery with a range of just 74 miles.

Although Renault introduced a 52kWh battery four years later with the first E-Tech, range only increased to 125 miles and power remained at 76hp. Renault is hoping to make a bigger impression with the 2024 Renault Master E-Tech, and with its aggressive new front grille it's not likely to go under the radar. Renault offers the Master E-Tech with 143hp (105kW) or 129hp (96kW) electric motors, both with up to 300Nm of torque and two batteries, at 40kWh and 87kWh.

The larger battery gives the E-Tech a claimed range of 285 miles. Renault claims the main innovation is a 20% improvement in aerodynamic efficiency compared to the previous Master, plus better battery regeneration, which has allowed it to extend the van's range and set a maximum payload of 1,625kg. Renault claims the new Master E-Tech is 27% more power-efficient than its predecessor.

It's also been named International Van of the Year 2025, largely because of its ground-up platform that was based around the need for a large electric van that was fit for purpose.

Ford E-Transit

Ford E-Transit

The Ford E-Transit launched as the first and most powerful large van on sale in the UK, making it a viable electric van and massive disruptor in the space.

With 198kW (265hp) for the most powerful model and a slightly down rated 135kW (181hp) version, both vans are very quick. Combined with a massive 430Nm of torque makes the E-Transit still really usable even when fully laden or when towing.

It comes with a choice of two batteries, a 68kWh battery or an 89kWh battery. The smaller battery pack gives a range of up to 196 miles while the larger 89kWh battery has a range of up to 250 miles (400km).

That means a practical range of at least 150 miles in the real world for the small van, when the van is fully laden, and around 200 to 210 miles from the larger model.

It can transport up to a maximum 1,758kg which is for a 4.25-tonne van while a standard 3.5-tonne model has a payload of just over 1,000kg. The Ford E-Transit dimensions are also completely unchanged from the diesel van.

Vauxhall Movano Electric (and all the other ones)

Vauxhall Movano Hydrogen

The Vauxhall Movano Electric is one of several vans from Stellantis that have recently been electrified with a new powertrain that's been developed in-house.

With a claimed range of up to 261 miles from a 110kWh battery, a payload of up to 1.5t and 13m3 to 17m3 load volumes, the Movano Electric shares the exact same vital statistics as the Citroen E-Relay, Peugeot E-Boxer, Fiat E-Ducato and the Toyota Proace Max Electric is a decent proposition for large van operators transitioning to electrification. It comes in two lengths and as a single- and double-cab chassis as well as panel van mode.

Available in just Professional trim, the E-Boxer's redesigned nose features a new bumper and new body-coloured grille. Other exterior changes include restyled wing mirrors, LED headlights and redesigned rear lights. Like the rest of the Peugeot line-up, it gets the brand's new shield emblem. The revamped interior includes a new, sportier steering wheel, new dashboard - although the plastic remains scratchy-looking - and new seat fabrics and door panels. A 10-inch touchscreen houses Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and satnav.

Performance is lively thanks to a potent electric motor that develops 270hp and 400Nm torque. There are three driving modes and four levels of regenerative braking. The strongest retardation setting means you rarely have to resort to using the footbrake but is considerably harsher than the strongest settings in the medium and compact vans.

You probably don't want to hire your little one as your apprentice just yet, but it might be useful to know if you can put a car seat in a van and safely (and legally) drive your loved one.

The rules around car seats are quite confusing, mainly because there are so many situations in which it could be deemed necessary to have a child in a vehicle without a child seat - namely in an emergency.

But, we're not going to dwell on that, this is a guide to when and how you should legally have a car seat in a van for regularly transporting children.

We'll answer important questions about the rules on child seats in vans, as well as look a a few other commonly asked questions about seating and seat belts in a van.

This article will explain details around car seats for a van with a front row of passenger seats only. If you have a double cab van with a second row of seats it's common practice to put children in the rear seats. Here you will often find ISOFIX (or LATCH - Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) systems that securely and easily fix child seats into vehicles.

ISOFIX connection in a car child seat

The guidelines below are taken from the UK government website and correct at the time of writing, they are also applicable to cars as well as vans. There's no differentiation between the rules on child seats for a car or a van, the only difference here is that we are assuming your van has no second row of seats.

Can you put a child seat in the front of a van?

Yes. There's no reason why a child seat cannot go in the front of a van. How you position the child seat and when a child can safely and legally travel in the front of a van, however, depends on two things.

For very young babies they must travel in a rear facing car seat until the age of 15 months. The most important thing here is to know that the passenger airbag must be deactivated when using a rear-facing baby seat in the front seat of a van or car.

If they're over 9kg, however, it is possible to put them in a forward-facing baby seat.

Below is a table, taken from the government website on child seat rules explaining the different seats you can use for a child's weight.

Child weightGroupSeats
0kg to 10kg0Lie-flat or ‘lateral’ baby carrier, rear-facing baby carrier, or rear-facing baby seat using a harness
0kg to 13kg0+Rear-facing baby carrier or rear-facing baby seat using a harness
9kg to 18kg1Rear- or forward-facing baby seat using a harness or safety shield
15kg to 25kg2Rear- or forward-facing child car seat (high-backed booster seat or booster cushion) using a seat belt, harness or safety shield
22kg to 36kg3Rear- or forward-facing child car seat (high-backed booster seat or booster cushion) using a seat belt, harness or safety shield

These are the rules for weight-based car seats, there are also height-based seats known as i-Size seats.

The most commonly asked question about car seats in vans is...

Can you put a child seat in a Transit van?

Yes, you can have a child seat in a Transit van which must be securely fastened using the adult seat belt. If using a rear facing child seat the front passenger airbag must also be deactivated.

What age can a child sit in the front of a van?

A child can sit in the front of a van from any age providing they have the correct seat for their age, size and weight.

To sit in the front seat without a child seat or booster seat, children must be 12 years old or over 135cm tall.

Children under 12 years of age or 135cm must use a high-backed booster seat or booster cushion in conjuncton with the seat belt or harness.

For small children, under three years of age, a forward or rear facing car seat must be used in most cases.

Babies under 15 months must always be sat in a rear facing child seat suitable for their age.

airbag warning on child seat
Can a 2 year old sit in the front of a van?

Yes, a two year old can sit in the front of a van providing they are in an appropriate car seat or booster.

Exceptions about when to use a child seat

As with every rule there are some exceptions:

A child aged 3 or older can travel in a back seat without a child car seat and without a seat belt if the vehicle doesn’t have one, however, in most cases, children under 3 must always be in a child car seat.

If travelling in a taxi or minicab and there are no available child seats, children can travel without the correct child seat.

Also, if the child is on an unexpected journey, for example in an emergency situation.

The rules about where you can sit in a van don't just extend to children, though. Many people think that due to the size of a van and that there's space in the rear loadspace it's ok to use that for people.

Can you sit in the back of a van without a seat?

No. The loadspace of a van is not designed for people to sit in. It is illegal to carry passengers in the rear of a van without proper seating.

You’re also only allowed one person in each seat fitted with a seat belt. No sharing seats.

There are pretty hefty fines if you break the law on wearing a seat belt in a van. You can be fined up to £500 if you do not wear a seat belt when you’re supposed to.

The same rule applies to children, who are also not allowed to sit in side facing seats.

Can kids sit in the back of a van?

No, kids can't sit in the loadspace of a van. It might be fun for them to stumble around in the dark but it's also really dangerous and you can be fined up to £500 if a child under 14 is not in the correct car seat or wearing a seat belt while you’re driving.

Learning to drive is a big deal, the provisional licence, the lessons, the pressure of a test that will give you the ultimate freedom at the end of it, but despite the pressure of learning to drive, there’s a lot of anxiety around driving a van as well.

Whether you’re a new driver or really experienced behind the wheel, getting into a van can be a nerve-racking experience. Understandably the size of a van is different to a car, and there’s also no rear window to see out of, but those differences aside there’s little else to be concerned about.

In fact, vans are so car-like these days that for the small vans you’d barely notice the difference between driving one and a regular family hatchback. Likewise a medium van is no different to your average SUV.

We’ll answer some of the most common questions people have about driving a van, learning to drive a van or how to drive a van.  

Is it difficult to drive a van?

This is easily the most commonly asked question about driving a van. The simple answer is no, it’s definitely not difficult to drive a van.

From a simple how-to perspective, there’s no difference between a car and a van. Many have manual gearboxes with up to six gears, there’s a steering wheel and all the same controls you’ll find in a car.

But you’re not worried about the act of driving, you’re concerned about the size or what it’s like to thread a van down a narrow street. Well, from this point of view we don’t find it any different to a car. In fact, in many ways driving a van is even easier and here’s why.

Is driving a van harder than a car?

With a car you have a long bonnet with the engine way out front. You often sit really low in the seat to give a sporty feel and there’s all manner of fancy dials and screens to divert your attention. Vans don’t suffer from any of these issues.

A van’s engine is usually tucked up right under the windscreen to ensure there’s a really short overhang to improve manoeuvrability. That means it’s much easier to see where the front of the van is and judge distance to obstacles in front.

If you’re worried about the width of a van think of its mirrors as cats whiskers. Ok, ripping off a mirror isn’t a great plan, but they really do act like physical width detectors. The best thing about vans is that they’re also flat sided. There are no curves or flared wheelarches. If your mirrors fit, the van will fit, and even if you need to get really tight to something, as long as you can keep the van in a straight line from front to tail you’ll be ok.

Finally, vans are fairly simple things, there aren’t that many distractions – unlike in passenger cars. We love the simplicity of a van. Some dials and a radio with few other distractions.

Most now come with parking detectors and even cameras, though. So if you take it nice and slowly – especially when manoeuvring – there really is nothing to be worried about. It’s certainly not difficult to drive a van.

Do I need to get car or van insurance?

Vans do require commercial vehicle insurance, but there’s no reason you can’t drive a van with the third-party insurance cover than many fully comprehensive car insurance providers give you.  

If you’ve bought a van, you will need to get a van-specific insurance policy, and it can be more expensive than car insurance. That’s because van insurance takes into consideration the fact that vans carry goods and tools which area appealing to thieves. Not all policies cover the contents of a van, so be mindful of that when you are buying it.

For more information on van insurance look at our what you need to know about van insurance guide.

At what age can I drive a van?

There’s no specific category on your licence to say that you can drive a van. If you’ve got a full driving licence (that’s to say a B Category) then you are able to drive any van up to 3.5 tonnes.

For more information on driving licences read our article – Can you drive a van with a normal car licence?

That means you can start driving a van as soon as you’ve passed your driving test.

In fact, we know several people who learnt to drive in a van, which leads us onto the next question.

Can I drive a van on a provisional licence?

Yes, of course you can. Driving a van is just like learning to drive in a car so that will mean you’ll need to be accompanied by someone over 21 who has had a full licence for more than three years. You’ll need to be insured and you’ll need to display L-plates.

Apart from that you’re absolutely fine to drive a van on a provisional licence.

Whether you’re moving house, helping with drive the local football team’s minibus or thinking of a job as a home delivery courier it helps to know what steps you need to take to drive a van. Vans might seem big and intimidating which is why so many people often ask ‘Can you drive a van with normal car licence?” when actually many of them are no harder or complicated to drive than a large car.

If you’ve ever wondered ‘can I drive a van?’ then this is the guide for you. We’ll answer questions like “do you need a special van driving licence?” or “what licence do you need to drive a van?”.

We’ll explain everything there is to know about van driving licences, driving a van and any restrictions for driving a van.

Can I drive a van on a car licence?

The simple answer is yes, but that will depend on what van you are looking to drive.

Most vans are 3.5 tonnes or under, which puts them in the same class as a car. All you’ll need to drive a van under 3.5 tonnes (or 3,500kg) is a full car driving licence – also known as Category B.

Fortunately that’s pretty much every van out there except some of the very biggest. So if you’re worried about driving a Ford Transit Connect or a Citroen Berlingo then don’t. Same goes for medium-size vans like the UK’s best selling van, the Ford Transit Custom or everyone’s favourite van the Volkgwagen Transporter and it’s camper sibling the Volkswagen California.

So, that’s the simple rules for anyone with a full driving licence.

But, as always things can get a little more complex, and not necessarily in a bad way.

Do I have Grandfather rights on my driving licence?

For anyone who passed their driving test before January 1997 they have something called “Grandfather Rights” which should mean that you have an additional category on your licence in addition to your B Category.

Grandfather Rights will give you a C1 category on your licence. This enables you to drive vans up to 7.5 tonnes (7,500kg) – which also includes the really small kind of trucks.

It's possible to check your licence details on the gov.uk website. You’ll need your licence number, National Insurance number and the postcode where your licence is registered to. Of course if you have all that, you're probably looking at your driving licence in which case... turn it over.

On the back of your driving licence you will see wide range of categories.

We've listed them below:

Licence TypeMeaning
AMMoped
A1Low power motorbike
A2Medium powered motorbike
AFull motorbike
B1Quadricycle (under 400kg, 550kg if an LCV)
BFull Car and Van
C1Vans and Trucks up to 7500kg
CRigid Trucks (3 axles)
D1Passenger vehicles up to 7500kg
DFull Coach and Bus
BECar with trailer over 750kg
C1EC1 category with trailer 750kg
CEC category with trailer (ie. articulated truck)
D1ED1 category with trailer
DED category passenger vehicle with trailer

As you can see there are plenty of different licence types to get qualified for but to simply drive a van all you need is a full B Category licence.

If you want to tow with a van you are allowed to tow a trailer up to 750kg, but anything over that will require a BE Category licence.

For more information on towing visiting the towing capacity pages for individual model information on vans that can tow.

What vans can I drive with a car licence?

As previously mentioned, you can drive any van, of any size, on a normal car licence, but there is a restriction on the weight.

A few of the larger vans have a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of more than 3,500kg. These are generally vans with twin rear wheels and they will usually have a tachograph in there as well.

It’s likely that even the largest vans you can hire will all be under 3.5-tonnes and any decent van rental company will tell you that you’re hiring a van that’s over 3500kg as they’ll want to check you have the relevant licence.

Specifying a Luton van might be the right van to help you move house, but these in particular should be built on a higher GVW chassis. So be careful when hiring any large van if you don’t have a C1 category licence.

What large vans can I drive on a car licence?

Every single make of large van has a version that is 3.5-tonnes. These are the ones that can all be driven on a car licence.

Of course they then make even larger vans that are usually used as chassis for larger bodybuilder projects like very big motorhomes, hospitality vans, welfare vans and tippers. They are nearly always extra-long wheelbase and if they are a panel van, extra high roof models.

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is one of the largest vans on the market and if you look at the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter dimensions guide you’ll see there is a dizzying array of options which include vans of 5, 6 or 7-tonne vans. The same is true of the Ford Transit, Volkswagen Crafter, MAN TGE, and the Iveco Daily.

The Iveco Daily is actually the largest GVW van on sale at the moment with the biggest vans going up to 7.2-tonnes as a chassis.

Our advice is to check the vehicle plate – which is either a metal plate or sticker located inside the passenger door frame or under the bonnet.

Exceptions to the rules

It wouldn’t be government legislation without a few exceptions. These of course have come about over time and are now focused on electric vans.

Can I drive a 4.25-tonne electric van on a car licence?

Yes. Because the batteries in an electric van are heavy, an additional allowance has been added to let you drive them.

For B Category licence holders they are allowed to drive a 4.25-tonne van if it is electric. This is to make the payload comparable between electric and diesel.

Great, I hear you shout. But… at the time of writing there’s a catch. The driving licence rules might say you can drive the van, but you will fall into all the requirements for larger vehicles (like trucks) over 3.5 tonnes. That could mean tachographs, o-licences, six-weekly inspection schedules and drivers hours/working time directive. If you’re doing all of this driving for personal usage then there’s an argument that you fall between the crack.

But, if you are driving a van over 3.5-tonnes either diesel or electric for hire or reward then you’ll need to think about treating it as a truck rather than a van. It’s a total minefield at the moment.

For any electric van over 4.25 tonnes you’ll still need a category C1 on your licence and all of the above headaches definitely apply.

Can I drive a minibus?

Yes, all you need is a regular B Category licence which will allow you to drive a passenger van or minibus with up to 16 passengers. As with the above electric van, if you are doing it for hire or reward that’s a different matter.

When it comes to loading up your van, do you really know how much weight you’ve got in there? Vans are the most frequently overloaded vehicles on the roads, and according to research it is self employed tradesmen and daily rental vans that are flouting the rules the most.

Builders in particular are major culprits, with a large amount of equipment, heavy materials and in the winter months, water, leading to hundreds of dropside and tipper vans being massively overweight.

If you’re using your own vehicle for day-to-day work, there is very little excuse for not knowing the gross vehicle weight (GVW) of your van or the maximum weight it allows you to carry.

Ignorance is not an excuse, and just because there is some space in the back, does not mean you can cram in some more stuff. But, if you’ve picked up a rental van, knowing how much you can transport might be a little harder to figure out.

The only sure-fire way to know is to find the plated-vehicle weights which should be clearly printed on a plate or sticker placed on the vehicle. These can usually be found somewhere under the bonnet, or on the passenger or driver door frame. It will tell you the GVW and gross train weight (GTW, the maximum combined weight or towing capacity with a trailer), as well as maximum front and rear axle weights.

It is a driver’s responsibility to ensure that their vehicle is safe to drive, and an overloaded van is extremely dangerous.

Not only will stopping distances increase, but tyres are also under more strain – increasing the chance of a blow-out. Brake pads wear quicker and become less efficient, steering can be impaired and stability may become a problem. Roads are also more easily damaged by heavier vehicles.

What happens if I am caught with an overloaded van?

If an enforcement officer from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) stops your vehicle and you are found to be overloaded, it will almost certainly result in you being issued with a prohibition notice.

This will prevent you from continuing your journey until the issue has been corrected. Whilst they have you at the road side, they will also check the rest of the road-worthiness of the vehicle and all of your documentation, so you had better be sure everything is as it should be.

If the overloading is corrected (eg. the load is repositioned to correct an overweight axle),  the prohibition may be lifted and you will be allowed to continue your journey. The officer may also insist that any excess weight is removed before lifting the prohibition, or issue a "direction to drive notice" which allows you to drive to a specified place to off-load.

Employers have a duty of care under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1999 to ensure the safety of their workers, but ultimately if a vehicle is found to be overweight, it is the driver that will face the force of the law initially, and a maximum fine of up to £5,000 for each offence could be issued.

That could mean £5,000 for being overweight on the front axle, £5,000 for being overweight on the rear, and another £5,000 for the total weight being too much. That’s an expensive mistake, but it could get worse.

If you are grossly overloaded, you could be charged with dangerous driving which carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison. Refusing to allow your vehicle to be weighed is also an offence under the Road Traffic Act 1988 and again carries a fine of £5,000.

Worst case scenario, if you are involved in an accident and someone is killed as a result, both you and your employer could face charges of Manslaughter or Death by Dangerous Driving.

Ensuring you’re not overloaded

Knowing how much weight you can carry is key to not being overloaded. The plated weights will help you with this, but you’ll notice that they don’t tell you a specific payload allowance.

heavily loaded van with fabric coils in the rear

How can you avoid overloading a van?

The handbook or manufacturers brochure or website may help with this, and provide you with an indicative answer, either as a payload allowance or more likely through publishing the kerbweight of the vehicle (payload = GVW - kerbweight) but when determining the load you must factor in the weight of the driver and any passengers, as well as your load and any tools.

Published weights also do not take into account any racking systems or safety equipment that might have been installed.

If you are delivering multiple items be sure that the load does not become imbalanced when off-loading – this could result in either instability or too much weight on the front or rear axle.

Lastly, if you're in the courier business, don’t always believe weights on delivery slips or invoices.

If you have to move a consignment and you are not sure of the weight, or think it might push you over the limit then don’t take the risk. Get the item weighed or weigh your van as soon as possible.

Need to tow?

When towing a small trailer or mechanical unit, you need to know the maximum gross train weight (GTW) of your vehicle.

This is the total weight of your vehicle plus the load it is pulling. Do not confuse the GTW with the gross vehicle weight (GVW), as the GTW can be as much as twice the amount – this could result in you being seriously overloaded and a real danger.

For more information on towing, read our best vans for towing guide or visit the towing section for specific details on individual van models and their towing capacities.

A large van towing a trailer

What are the penalties for overloading?

The penalties for overloading a car or van range from a fine to points or even a court appearance.

A £5,000 penalty is the maximum you could face under the current laws, but that is in extreme cases. If you are found to be overloaded, the below fines may be more applicable, depending upon your situation. A margin of 5% is allowed by the authorities, but in a 3.5 tonne van that is only 175kg, meaning it is all too easy to stray beyond the rules.

Not only is it illegal, it will also cause excessive wear on your van and increase the risk of damage, breakdown or even a serious accident.

If the police or the DVSA (Driver Vehicle Standards Agency, formerly VOSA) see you with an overloaded van, above the legal payload you will be stopped and prosecuted.

Van overloading fines

SeverityEndorsableFixed penalty amount
Less than 10%No£100
10% up to but not including 15%No£200
15% - 30%No£300
More than 30%YesCourt Summons / £5,000

The moment you overload your van you're liable to be prosecuted. A £100 penalty will be given for a 0% to 9.99% overload, but DVSA examiners will allow a 5% leeway before issuing a fixed penalty or prohibition, unless the relevant weight has been exceeded by 1 tonne or more.

Do you get points for overloading a van?

Normally, a fixed penalty would be inappropriate for serious cases of overloading - for example when the vehicle is overloaded by 30% and over, or the excess weight is 5 tonnes - so a court summons would be issued instead.

Penalties become endorsable - penalty points can be issued - when multiple or severe infrigements are found. How many penalty points you will get for overloading will depend on the circumstance but 3 points is a minimum

Ignorance is not a defence

As with almost every instance in the law, just because you don't know the rules doesn't mean you're exempt from them.

Hwoever, ignorance is sort of a "get out of jail free card" as long as it is a genuine mistake.

Government guidance says that "in genuine cases of ignorance e.g. moving house, and where the offence is unlikely to be repeated, a prohibition should be issued, and an overloading guidance leaflet handed to the driver".

And goes on to say that "to take into account the Public Interest Test, no Fixed Penalty Notice should
be issued in these circumstance". We think that means it is at the discretion of the enforcement officer to judge just how serious your overloaded van offence is.

Tips: Knowing how much you can carry

1: Look at the badges on the van – numbers down the side or below the model name such as 35 or 350 can often indicate your vehicle is a 3.5 tonne van.

2: Find the chassis plate – these are usually found under the bonnet or on the door frames. The plate will tell you the GVW, GTW and individual axle weights.

3. Official guidance on overloading can be found from the DVSA

Medium vans are the lifeblood of the van world so it makes sense that you want to know what are the best medium electric vans on the market.

As we make the transition away from diesel to electric vans it’s increasingly important to get the facts and find out which is the model that best suits you.

That’s why we’ve compiled a list of some of the best electric vans on the market. It’s not in any particular order, although you could be forgiven for thinking that the first ones that pop into your head may well be the best medium sized electric vans on sale at this moment in time.

So here’s a run down of some of our favourites.

Ford E-Transit Custom

Ford E-Transit Custom cornering

If anyone is going to get bums on seats in the electric van market it’s going to be Ford. The eagerly-anticipated electric version of the UK's best-selling van didn’t disappoint when it was launched either.

The Ford E-Transit Custom comes with a choice of electric motors options giving it either 136hp, 217hp or 285hp. Power goes to the rear wheels and is fed from a 64kWh usable battery giving it an official range of up to 203 miles depending on which motor and trim level you choose.

There’s also a crazy fast (and madly modified) Ford E-Transit Custom MS-RT version to really quicken the pulse.

Charging using an 11kW home charger takes around 6.7 hours, or a 10-80% charge can be done in as little as 39 minutes using a 125kW DC charger.

The rear load bay dimensions of the E-Transit Custom are the same as those on offer from the diesel model, with a lower load floor than the previous Ford Transit Custom for improved access. The Ford E-Transit Custom towing capacity is also up to 2,300kg.

All E-Transit Customs come as standard with a 13-inch infotainment touchscreen and there’s a 12.5-inch driver display.

EV forward and reverse 'gear' selection is via a stalk by the steering wheel which gives more space in the centre seat should you need to travel three-abreast.

Mercedes-Benz eVito

Mercedes-Benz eVito

Mercedes will probably admit that it’s Mercedes-Benz eVito isn’t the best medium sized van on the market but they’ve been finessing the product for a while. The latest version is often called the mid-range Mercedes-Benz eVito as it gets a 66kWh battery, allowing a range of up to 162 miles on the official WLTP cycle. That was a big upgrade from the 80-odd miles you’d get out of the first generation van.

So, why is it in the list of best medium sized electric vans? Well, it’s based on a really capable product and thanks for fast charging it’s now a very usable mid-sized van. An 80% charge can be added in just 35 minutes using a DC rapid charger, making it a versatile worker.

One of the better aspects of Merc’s electric vans is the driving modes and functionality. It has a single-speed forward gear transmission that comes with three driving modes: C (comfort), which offers the most power; E (efficiency), which reduces a bit of the power but improves economy; and E+ (efficiency plus), which provides the most range but significantly reduces performance and cuts back on air conditioning performance.

For those that really like to feel in charge of their van there’s also a choice of regenerative braking settings. The least aggressive at one end of the scale is D+ which allows the vehicle to coast with no retardation. At the other end of the scale is D-which is as close to one-pedal driving as you’ll get in the eVito.

There’s a choice of Progressive and Premium trim levels - the latter of which adds equipment including air-conditioning, a reversing camera, parking sensors, a heated driver's seat and cruise control.
It is also available in either L2 and L3 body lengths which offer load volumes of 6.0m3 and 6.6m3.

It’s definitely the driver’s choice amongst the best medium sized electric vans.

Vauxhall Vivaro Electric

Right… first things first, because of the way Stellantis does vans this little overview could equally apply to any of the other Stellantis medium vans. We’ve chosen the Vauxhall Vivaro Electric as it’s the most popular in the UK, but like the others it’s also recently been updated.

In the case of the Vivaro this included a front-end styling update to incorporate Vauxhall's 'Vizor' fascia but across the board there’s been a more significant update to the Vivaro Electric's powertrain.
There’s a 75kWh battery provide a WLTP range of up to 217 miles (which is 12 miles more than the previous version).

Charging speeds let you charge from 5-80% in under 45 minutes, while power comes from a 136hp motor.

An updated interior includes a pair of 10-inch screens, and wireless smartphone connectivity. There’s a total of 18 ADAS features available.

The Vivaro Electric comes in two lengths - 4.98m and 5.33m - and as a panel van, crew van and platform-chassis. It is also available with a choice of Prime and Pro trim levels.

Three levels of regenerative braking can be chosen from steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, and an ePTO (electric power take-off) unit is available to power auxiliary equipment or fridge units from the traction battery.

Renault Trafic E-Tech

Renault has been in the electric van game since day one but the Renault Trafic E-Tech is the most recent of their conventional range to get electrified.

It features a 52kWh battery that delivers a range of up to 186 miles on the WLTP cycle - although Renault claims this can get close to 230 miles if the van is solely used on urban routes.

It has a 90kW (122hp) motor which has 245Nm of torque and offers an Eco mode and a 'Long Range' mode that limits speed to 56mph - increasing the WLTP range to a claimed 200 miles.

The Trafic E-Tech line-up is available in two lengths 5,080mm or 5,480mm - and two heights 1,967mm or 2,498mm. Load volumes range from 5.8m3 to 8.9m3 and it has a maximum load length of 4,150mm. It’s also no slouch on payload either with a best payload across the Trafic E-Tech range of up to 1,100kg.

Connectivity is provided through the MyRenault App which enables drivers to schedule battery charging, monitor battery state of charge remotely, pre-heat the cab and identify charging points on route.
Charging speeds range around 40 minutes for a 15% to 80% recharge or as long as 12 hours using a standard single phase charger.

Renault also says a 22kW AC charger will deliver an 80% charge in around one hour 25 minutes.

Maxus eDeliver 5

Is the Maxus eDeliver 5 really one of the best medium electric vans? It’s hard to tell if it really is even a medium van at all. It certainly looks like one but the size of it also crosses over into the realms of smaller vans. 

Whatever your thoughts it’s worth a mention here because it’s a very good little package. The 64kWh battery gives it enough for a 208 mile range according to the WLTP test cycle. Its electric motor is also fairly powerful with 120kW and 240Nm of torque. 

The reason for the speculation about its status as a medium or small van is its considerable size with 6.6m3 up to 7.6m3 cargo space certainly makes it a mid-size van. It’s also got a stonking payload. There’s payload capacity for up to 1200kg in the eDeliver 5. Which is a lot whatever size you say it is. 

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