Meet the new all electric Volkswagen ABT e-transporter

The new all-electric Volkswagen ABT e-Transporter is now going to joining a growing number of all-electric vans that are now on sale in the UK.  

How much is the new Volkswagen e-Transporter?

It comes with a maximum claimed range of 82 miles and a price-tag of £42,060. 

The e-transporter is a collaborative effort between the German turning company APT and Volkswagen, rather than being solely in-house developed, not like the Volkswagen e-Crafter. 

What battery is the new VW e-Transporter offered with?

The e-transporter is based on a modified version from the combustion-engined Transporters platform and is fitted with a 109bhp electric motor and a 37.3kWh battery pack. This is mounted under the cargo bay floor. The motor than works by sending the drive to the front wheels via the updated versions of the standard van’s automatic dual-clutch gearbox. 

Although the e-Transporter’s maximum range stands at just 82 miles. Volkswagen have said that they expect the majority of other e-transporters will be utilised specifically as a last-mile delivery vehicle. So they will only ever cover around 50 miles a day, making this range perfect. When looking at its performance, you can expect a return of 0-62 mph in 17.4 seconds. 

Volkswagen have said that the e-Transporter, however, could eventually be offered with a larger 74.6kWh battery pack but only if there is enough demand for it in the market. With this increase you would see around a range in the 150-mile mark, this would then make this new e-van become more widely used on longer delivery drops. 

The e-Transporter also provides support for 50kW DC fast charging, meaning the battery can recover up to 80% of its charge in as little as 45 minutes. You can also top up the existing battery pack by the use of a domestic 7.4kW AC wall box charger, this can provide a full recharge in around five-and-a-half hours. It could even be charged on a lunch break when using it for a delivery service or on longer journeys. 

The price for the e-transporter start from £42,060, excluding VAT and the Government’s £3,000 plug-in vehicle grant. The first deliveries are predicted to be in the second half of the year. 

What are the trim levels for the VW e-Transporter?

At the moment buyers have two trims to choose from and two different seating layouts. The standard equipment you will find include a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a couple of USB ports, a four-speaker stereo, and three-abreast seating upfront. For an extra £4,315 buyers can choose to have a second set of seating in the rear of the van. 

The e-Transporter Advance is much more lavishly equipped and the price starts from £45,360 (excluding VAT. on this version, you will find automatic LED headlights, rain-sensing windscreen, 17-inch alloy wheels, electrically foldable door mirrors, a heated windscreen, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and front and rear parking sensors. 

What is the Volkswagen e-Transporter's payload?

Something that the e=Transporter boasts is the same capability for carrying goods as the standard T^ Transporter. It shares the same one-tonne payload and 6.7 cubic metre load bay as the conventionally powered long-wheelbase model.

Because ABT converts vans directly from the Volkswagen production line, it is possible to add the electric drive train onto any of the T6 models.