Volkswagen ABT eTransporter (2021)

While there’s a lot to like – and not like (for example, the price tag) – the Volkswagen ABT eTransporter really should be an all-round brilliant van. It does most things really well but other medium-sized electric vans offer more range and more equipment. If your business uses Transporters, then the eTransporter will meet your needs. If you can wait, Volkswagen is set to unveil a more impressive electric Transporter in 2022 to meet tightening environmental regulations in cities and countries.

With a battery-powered range of 82 miles, the Volkswagen ABT eTransporter is an excellent van but potential buyers need to think carefully about whether its range will meet their needs. Don’t forget too that the range will fall in cold weather but otherwise the ABT Transporter is a great medium-sized van that does impress.

VOLKSWAGEN SAYS

The eTransporter has been developed in collaboration with Premium Partner ABT e-Line, combining quiet and smooth driving, instant torque, fast charging and high load capacity. The ultimate zero-emissions urban logistics van offers an all-electric range of up to 82 miles, with cargo space of 6.7 m3. Flexible charging options allow for an 80% charge in just 45 minutes.

With its zero-emission status, all variants of the ABT eTransporter 6.1 are exempt from road tax (VED) and afforded unrestricted access to the London Ultra Low Emission Zone and Clean Air Zones, as well as being eligible for the government Plug-in Van Grant (PiVG).

Our new bespoke service plan means that fleet managers, SMEs and sole traders who choose to go green with our first all-electric van not only benefit from on-the-road reduced running costs but also lower servicing and maintenance fees. As part of our Working With You promise, we are passing the savings associated with EV servicing directly onto our loyal customers, so they can focus on their day jobs.

For more details on Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ award-winning range of products and services, or to find your nearest Van Centre, please visit www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk.

Reasons to buy

First things first – while it says it is made by VW, this is actually a conversion carried out by trusted partners ABT. Along with reliability and an impressive cabin, the Volkswagen ABT eTransporter offers firms an excellent electric vehicle – however, most rivals in the segment offer more equipment, better range and a wider range of van bodies. It’s up against some stiff competition and it will meet most needs, but the price tag and battery range really are setbacks.

If you like the Volkswagen ABT eTransporter, then consider the Vauxhall Vivaro-e or the Peugeot e-Expert.

Running Costs

The running costs for the Volkswagen ABT eTransporter 6.1 should be very low – and lower still for those firms signing up to cheap off-peak electricity deals.

The 83kWh battery produces 110 PS and a range of 82 miles. It also takes 17 seconds to reach 62 mph from a standing start, but it is cheap to maintain and quiet to drive.

Along with lower maintenance costs, the ABT transporter is exempt currently from road tax and charges for clean air zones, including London’s ultra-low emissions zone (ULEZ) – which could save those firms travelling into the capital centre a small fortune every day.

Charging the battery will take 5.5 hours using a wall box, but a rapid charger will take 45 minutes to recharge the battery to 80% of its capacity.

The eTransporter has a 100,000 mile or three-year warranty, and the battery is covered for 100,000 miles or eight years.

The service intervals are every year or 24,900 miles and after the third year, there’s an ‘extended inspection’ process.

Load Space

The lithium-ion battery for the Volkswagen ABT eTransporter is located underneath the load bay so there’s no compromise on the van’s cargo area which is 6.7 m³ – the same as the diesel-powered sibling. The payload is 1,000 kg.

The eTransport comes with a single sliding door, and at the rear there are twin doors – a top-hinged alternative tailgate is a no-cost option. Firms can also add a second sliding door to access the load space.

Technology & Safety

The Volkswagen ABT eTransporter has two trims, the Standard and Advanced and both the panel van and the Kombi crew cab are offered in both.

The price for the eTransporter is slightly more than its rivals so it’s worth checking leasing costs and the ongoing running bills before deciding whether this van is for you.

The eTransporter has a 6.5-inch display with DAB radio and Bluetooth connectivity. There are two USB ports fitted into the dashboard, along with an SD card slot and there are four loudspeakers in the cabin. The infotainment system is also smartphone compatible.

Safety features for the ABT eTransporter include a city emergency braking system, crosswind assist, rear parking sensors and front assist.

Options include 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic LED headlights, a heated windscreen, rear and front parking sensors and an auto-dimming rear view mirror.

Performance

Out on the road, the Volkswagen ABT eTransporter is a comfortable and rewarding van to drive. Acceleration is not as swift as most rivals, but it is still a sound performer around town. There’s plenty of power when overtaking on motorways and when driven the cabin is a quiet place to spend time – except when accelerating hard when the motor can be heard.

There’s also a useful artificial noise generated to alert pedestrians and other road users at low speeds that the van is approaching and there are some nice design touches in the cabin.

It’s also worth noting that the battery-powered range is a fairly realistic figure, unlike some rivals, and the instrument cluster gives an accurate display of the battery’s performance so there’s no sense of ‘range anxiety’.