Volkswagen e-Transporter Panel Van (2024 - ) Electric review

The cargo space is identical to the diesel Volkswagen Transporter just reviewed, so this is a bit of a recap. Depending on the model and trim level chosen, you’re looking at payloads of 1013-1088kg and a towing capacity of 2300kg. On load volumes, the short wheelbase L1 version offers 5.8 cubic metres of cargo space, with the long wheelbase L2 providing 6.8 cubic metres, just like the diesel version. The rear opening is also the same with a twin-door 1.4m aperture at the back, the same side door (you can add a second side door for an extra charge) and there’s a generous 1.9m between the wheelarches. Lashing points line the floor and both sides of the internals, ply lining is usually added for free on a lease (although our test model’s cargo space was not ply lined) and it’s a highly practical space to make use of. There’s also a load-through bulkhead to take longer loads into the cabin. All as you’d expect then.

The cabin is only slightly different to the diesel Transporter, with the centre console being the most notable change with the fold-out cupholder moved to the right and more flat floor space. The driver’s seat is excellent, as is the bench seat, and visibility through the big windscreen is among the best in the medium van sector thanks to the good driving position. The dashboard is Volkswagen’s own design with the cup holders and storage bins in slightly different places to the Ford Transit Custom’s, although the door storage and glove boxes are almost exactly the same as the Custom’s. The 12-inch driver display screen behind the steering wheel is as clear and crisp as the 13-inch infotainment screen dominating the centre of the dashboard, which is usefully tilted towards the driver rather than facing straight out. The fabrics on the seats and the flat rubber flooring also go a long way to making the interior feel cosy. The only downside is that the Transporter’s interior can feel slightly cramped, and moving the seat around is a bit of an exercise in finding a sweet spot and correcting the seat tilt until you hit a good comfort level.

The top range of 200-plus miles is achievable if you take it easy, but will drop according to driving style, weight carried and surrounding temperature (although the addition of a heat pump at entry-level will help keep the range from dropping too far, although we didn’t get to test that during our early-summer loan). Home charging will, of course, make running one of these vans more affordable than charging it in public, and the acquisition costs can be broken down on finance or a good lease deal.

Just like the diesel Transporter, the new e-Transporter is built in partnership with Ford, so reliability shouldn’t be too much of an issue. That’s why Volkswagen is confident enough to offer its ‘5+ Promise’ package on the vehicle, which includes five services and three MOTs over the course of a five-year/124,000-mile warranty. That’s one of the best warranties available in the light commercial vehicle sector and could be a solid reason to consider the e-Transporter over the E-Transit Custom. The batteries are also covered for eight years by a separate warranty, so peace of mind is abundant. It gets five out of five for the 5+ Promise alone because it’s such a great package!

The e-Transporter performs exactly as you’d expect a van that platform shares with the excellent Ford E-Transit Custom. It’s easy to load, pleasant to drive and looks really nice (more so at the higher trim levels with the body-coloured panels and alloy wheels). There’s little to separate the e-Transporter from Ford’s van, and performance is one of the areas they align on very well.

Well, here’s an area where the e-Transporter excels with the vehicle offering powerful and smooth driving no matter what type of road you’re driving on. Our test loop takes in country roads, town roads and motorways and handles each with confidence. We’re particularly impressed with just how much power is available when you need it, because this van can shift! Never once did we experience any roll in the corners (even when unladen) or any wobbly moments that gave us a call for concern. Ford’s platform is excellent and that there’s been no diminishing of that excellence in its transition to a Volkswagen van is incredibly reassuring. The e-Transporter, like the E-Transit Custom, is one of the most fun vans to drive available today and we’d encourage everyone to book a test drive and see what we mean first-hand.

Safety equipment levels are generous with systems including an anti-theft alarm system, interior monitoring, backup horn, towing protection, cruise control system with predictive speed limiter, double-sound horn, eCall emergency call system, electronic engine immobiliser, ESC, collision warning, keyless start, lane assist, parking sensors at the front and rear, lane assist, road sign display and a rear camera all available. A lot of these are ‘to be expected’, with a few additions added offering real peace of mind. You’ll have to check the specifications on whichever model you choose, as some are only available on the higher trim levels, but even at entry-level trims you get a lot for your money.

The Volkswagen e-Transporter keeps it simple and is available in two trim levels. You can start at Commerce Plus with its 16-inch steel wheels (as tough as they look), a crisp 12-inch driver’s display behind the steering wheel, 13-inch touchscreen infotainment system with rebadged Ford operating system (very easy to use), cruise control, keyless start, heat pump, heated front seats, all-season tyres, body coloured bumpers, leatherette steering wheel covered in controls and easy-to-use volume and skip song buttons, front and rear parking sensors, rear-view reversing camera, keyless start with Safelock & an anti-theft alarm. Or, you can dial it all up to 11 with the Commerce Pro trim level that adds some stunning 16-inch alloy wheels (just be careful near the kerbs), a very efficient heated windscreen, a nice heated leatherette steering wheel, wireless phone charging, automatic air-con, Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Assist, extra USB ports and some honest-to-goodness LED lights in the load area (although we’re still a bit miffed these LED lights are hidden in the top trim and not offered as standard across the range). All-in-all, it’s a packed list for two simple trim levels that makes choosing how you want your e-Transporter to look and feel a doddle.

Well yeah, why buy this electric van over the electric Ford Transit Custom or any one of the Stellantis electric medium vans currently in-market? If you’re making the switch, or thinking about it, the Volkswagen e-Transporter offers near enough exactly what the diesel version offers: space, comfort and the badge, but with a decent near-200-mile range, 1000kg payloads and a good safety/equipment level. The pricing is also compelling (perhaps the third time we’ve mentioned it in this review), so compare and contrast the deals you can find on this vehicle and go for the one that best suits your needs and budget. With that in mind, if you were waiting for a good electric Volkswagen van, then this is the best electric Transporter yet. We’d definitely advise you to check it out at least once or twice in your decision-making process, because for some it could be the van that makes them feel like now is the time to switch to electric power. And that’s a good thing!