Volkswagen launches all-electric e-Caddy
Wed, 19 Sept 2018
Volkswagen has unveiled the all-electric e-Caddy at the IAA Commercial Vehicle Show 2018 in Hannover, Germany. The electric small van will go on sale in mid-2019 and be capable of travelling 137 miles on a single charge.
Designed for businesses who want a van for short runs and/or multi drop deliveries in towns and cities, the e-Caddy features similar tech to the e-Crafter with its front-mounted electric motor being powered by a lithium-ion battery pack placed under the load floor in the rear. It'll rival the Renault Kangoo Z.E, when it reaches showrooms in July 2019.
The e-Caddy is the brainchild of ABT Sportline - the electric motor sport specialists behind the Audi Sport Formula E Team - with Caddy chassis being sent to ABT's German plant to be converted.
Despite its motor sport origins the small electric van is designed for commercial life. At launch, the e-Caddy will be limited to the long wheelbase Maxi version of the panel van, which provides 4.2 cubic metres of load space. Maximum payloads will be 100kg lower than the diesel van, however, at 635kg. A Kombi version and Caddy Life seven-seat MPV will follow in 2020, with both being restricted to the Maxi bodystyle in order to accommodate the battery pack.
The 82kW (109PS) electric motor is limited to a top speed of roughly 70mph. Charging times take five hours, when connected to a 7.2kw wallbox, or 49 minutes (from zero to 80 per cent) when hooked up to a 40kw fast charger.
Volkswagen showcases e-Transporter
Volkswagen will also launch the e-Transporter in Germany in 2019, with the all-electric T6 getting the option of a larger battery pack that will carry it to a maximum range of 250 miles. Based on the long wheelbase T6, the electric medium sized van has a payload of 750kg - 1050kg and a gross vehicle weight rating of 3200kg.
However, as things stand, there are no plans to produce a right-hand-drive version of the e-Transporter, although Volkswagen admitted that a 2020 launch 'might be possible' if it sees a sizable demand with UK buyers.
