Citroen weighs into electric van market with e-Dispatch

Citroen is charging forward with a plan electrify its entire van line up by 2021, and has revealed the first model in that range – an all-electric version of its Dispatch. 

The mid-size van is almost identical to the recently-revealed Vivaro-e from sister company Vauxhall, although a few tweaks to the specification mean that Citroen has been able to wangle a slightly longer range figure and higher maximum load. 

Dispatch to your nearest charge point

Two sizes of battery will be available when the van goes on sale later this year: a 50 kWh giving an official range of 143 miles or a 75 kWh giving 205 miles. That’s up from the Vauxhall’s 125 and 188 miles respectively.  The maximum load is 1,275kg, that's 49kg more than the Vivaro too. 

Charging options include the ability to accept 11kW AC feeds from a wallbox and up to 100 kW from a DC rapid charger. The latter can take a 50 kWh battery to 80% in 30 minutes and a 75 kWh battery in 45 minutes.

White Van Man has gone electric - but still parks badly

Like the Vivaro, the e-Dispatch uses the motor from the Peugeot e-208 and Vauxhall Corsa-e, which actually makes it the most powerful model in the Dispatch range, although the top speed is limited to 80mph. 

It will be joined by a 100% electric version of the bigger Relay at the end of 2020 and an Berlingo-e in 2021.

There is no word on pricing yet and the electric vans are expected to be substantially costlier than the diesel models. However, most businesses will lease their fleets and the total cost of ownership once fuel, grants and other expenses are taken into account will be lower than for a diesel. 

For more info on buying an electric van, check out our guide here. 

With a load of heavy furniture, the van won't go sofa on a charge.