Order books are now open for the Maxus eDeliver 7, a new mid-size electric van from the manufacturer previously known as LDV.
The Chinese-built Maxus eDeliver 7 slots into the range between the smaller Maxus eDeliver 3 and the full-size Maxus eDeliver 9 large van, and offers a payload of one metric tonne, with a highly competitive WLTP combined electric range of 230 miles.
The range and payload fluctuate slightly based on body derivative, as the Maxus eDeliver 7 is offered in medium and long wheelbase, with a high-roof option available on the latter.
It’s offered with a choice of two different batteries sizes – 77kWh and 88kWh – with an 11kW onboard charger, giving a 5-100% charge time of around eight hours where required.
Using a DC public charger it take a charge at 90kW, meaning it takes 43 minutes to go from 20-80% charge.
It comes with a full-width steel bulkhead with an observation window and a single sliding door, while the flat load bay is well-catered-for in terms of lashing points.
The cabin appears to be well-trimmed, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a 12-inch central touchscreen. It also comes with all of the most sought-after safety tech including automatic emergency braking, blind spot detection, lane change assist, rear cross traffic alert and 360 degree surround cameras.
The Maxus eDeliver 7 is available to order now with expected deliveries from spring 2024, with all models getting a five-year/60,000-mile warranty and five years’ roadside assistance included.
Ask HJ
What's the best medium sized van to buy to pull a trailer?
I'm looking to buy two 3.5t vans. They will be running very heavy using the entire payload most of the time. Usually long journeys with a mixture of country and motorway.
I need one smaller van, that will usually tow a trailer. Ideally SWB Transit sized. Heavy but non-bulky things going in the van and long (still quite heavy) things in trailer. In my mind a SWB Transit RWD, but I'm not sure it'd have the power to also pull a laden trailer. Basically I want the van as small as reasonably possible while maximising payload and still being able to tow.
The second van is to replace a 2005 Iveco Daily MWB 2.3L. If I could find a good one of those I'd do so but they're rare now. I need space for 10ft poles and decent headroom. Dimensions wise, a high roof LWB Transit would be about ideal - I don't want unnecessary length if I can avoid it. This might need to tow occasionally.
The budget is £10k for both. The most important things I'm after are reliability and ability to carry weight. I haven't bought a van for over six years and am slightly overwhelmed. Any advice massively appreciated.
First of all, the RWD Transit is a good call for the smaller van - it's a dutiful and reliable workhorse and so long as you track down a 135bhp model instead of a 99bhp it'll tow pretty well. With most rivals being front-wheel-drive, you will not find a better short-wheelbase van for towing, but as your budget means you're looking at older models you may find yourself welding the front cab steps in the non-too-distant future.
As you state that reliability is key for the larger van, the standout choices are the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Volkswagen Crafter, which have a very strong reliability record and are essentially the same van, so buy on condition rather than brand. The IVECO is an equally good choice if you can find one, but like you say, panel van versions of the Daily are rare. Or, you could get a longer wheelbase Transit, which is also a very reliable van.
Answered by Craig Cheetham
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