Maxus e Deliver 3 (formerly LDV) (2021)

The new Maxus e Deliver 3 is an impressive electric van that offers a driving range of 200 miles. For those who may not be aware, this is the rebadged LDV EV30 and it is a rival to the likes of the Nissan eNV200 and the Renault Kangoo ZE. There are two wheelbase versions, two battery capacities and because it has been designed from the start as a compact electric van, which makes the Maxus e Deliver 3 a nice EV to drive.

Not only does the Maxus e Deliver 3 have a reasonable price tag, but it’s a well-packaged and well-designed offering for the UK’s EV market. For the money, there’s a lot to like and it’s a high value package that any business considering switching from diesel performance to battery power should really take the time to check out. Essentially, the e Deliver 3 should meet the needs of most businesses operating around town and who need a fully electric van. It’s got just about everything drivers will need.

MAXUS SAYS

The future of greener motoring is now, and Maxus is leading the charge. The e DELIVER 3 has it all when it comes to offering the customer the pure driving experience with three variants, and all at incredible value. So, if you’re a business owner or fleet buyer thinking about making the switch to greener motoring, Maxus has the solution.

Maxus is distributed by The Harris Group, one of the most respected and long-standing automotive companies in Ireland.

The Maxus e DELIVER 3 is a fully electric small van of zero emissions with a remarkable range, clocking up to 198miles/320km (NEDC) or 150 miles/240km combined WLTP on a single charge for the 52.5kWh battery.

It has been billed as the little brother to its predecessor, the EV80, but is the first vehicle by Maxus that is only available as a fully electric model with no other powertrain options.

The e DELIVER 3 is available in three variants with two wheelbase options: a short wheelbase panel van, a long wheelbase panel van and a long wheelbase platform chassis.

Reasons to buy

There are various reasons why the Maxus e Deliver 3 should be considered by businesses and private owners alike. Firstly, there will be low running costs, it’s an all-round impressive package for the money with a decent load space. It is competing in a competitive segment with better-known rivals as a rebadged LDV, but it is worth shortlisting. The batteries deliver a range of either 98 or 150 miles, depending on the wheelbase selected. Essentially, the e Deliver 3 has a futuristic and odd appearance and some of the plastics for the cabin could be more robust, but this is a well-priced and well-designed electric van that is modern and smart and will be a popular choice.

If you like the Maxus e Deliver 3, then consider the Nissan eNV200 or the Renault Kangoo ZE.

Running Costs

As a battery-powered van, the Maxus e Deliver 3 offers the potential for low running costs – they will be around half of a diesel-powered van.

One of the downsides to the e Deliver 3 is the battery recharging time. The smaller 35kWh battery pack will take six hours to recharge using a standard AC charging point. The larger 52.5kWh battery will take eight hours.

However, using a fast-charging station will see the battery being recharged to 80% of its capacity in 45 minutes.

Running costs are also helped with a warranty of five years or 125,000 miles, and there are five years of roadside assistance as standard.

It’s also worth considering the price tag which makes it a cheaper opportunity than its rivals.

Load Space

The Maxus e Deliver 3 has a 1,000kg payload which will make it hugely attractive to various businesses and organisations.

There are two body sizes, and the short wheelbase version offers 4.8 m³ of cargo area, while the long wheelbase version delivers 6.3 m³. The load space is 2.18 metres long for the short wheelbase, while the long wheelbase offers 2.77 metres.

The space between the wheel arches is 1.22 metres and moving up the range there’s more payload with the short wheelbase offering 865kg, while the long wheelbase version offers 1,020kg. That’s for the smaller battery, with the more powerful battery, drivers will get 905kg and 990kg respectively.

Technology & Safety

The driver’s seat is comfortable and easy to adjust, and there’s an eight-inch infotainment display that is smartphone compatible.

There’s also a multi-function steering wheel and everything in the cabin feels robust for a hard-working life.

Drivers also get rear parking sensors and camera, electric mirrors and windows and an immobiliser.

The safety kit features include electronic stability control, traction and braking control and the cargo area floor is made of stainless steel. There’s also a heavy-duty bulkhead and the rear doors can be opened wide for easy loading.

Performance

The Maxus e Deliver 3 is no slouch and the electric motor delivers 114 bhp and torque of 255Nm. The top speed is 79mph and the sprint time from 0 to 30 mph is five seconds – to get to 62 mph the time is 13 seconds.

The acceleration does feel much quicker and the claimed range of 150 miles is fairly accurate. You’ll need to appreciate that in cold weather, the battery’s range will fall but even with a full load, the e Deliver 3 with the larger battery pack will go close to the WLTP range.

There’s also plenty of grunt across the entire rev range and while it’s not as refined as most of its rivals, it’s a fairly fun van to drive. It’s comfortable around town and a decent performer on motorways.

Drivers will also find that when there’s a low amount of battery charge left, the Maxus e Deliver 3 will automatically put itself in a ‘tortoise’ mode to preserve the power it has to get you home.