Citroen’s electrification plan is going from strength to strength, with the new e-Berlingo being launched back in October 2021. The French brand is growing its fully electric range and, since it’s now competing with commercial e-vans from Peugeot, Vauxhall and Toyota, it’s not hard to see why they’re eager to be at the top of the electric race.
The new e-van forms part of the wider Stellantis Group’s aim to have a fully electrified lineup by 2025, with a completely electrified light commercial vehicle line-up by the end of 2021. The new e-Berlingo represents a huge leap forward from the old model which only had a reported 60 or 70-mile range and dated interior. The 2021 e-Berlingo features a 136bhp motor and a claimed 174-mile range and has an array of new tech running through the van.
Let’s take a look into what you will find in the new e-Berlingo commercial van.
The Cabin
First of all, the protruding pod that comes from the dashboard used to contain the traditional gear selector and has now been replaced with a toggle switch and a drive mode selector. Some may say that they would have preferred this to be relocated elsewhere to free up some legroom for the centre passenger, but that would involve a restructuring of the dashboard so it’s easy to see why Citroen didn’t.
Otherwise, the cabin design and interior are largely similar to the combustion-engined car, apart from the addition of blue badging and trim accents. Entry-level trims are fitted with Citroën’s safety pack as standard which includes features such as lane-keeping assistance, cruise control and a speed limiter with speed-limit recognition.
Inside, drivers get air-conditioning and a number of USB sockets and storage pockets. These handy storage pockets include a shelf above the windscreen and door bins big enough to accept 1.5-litre water bottles. Five seats are fitted as standard, while the long-wheelbase version gains a third row, each accessible via a pair of large sliding doors at each side.
The Specs
The e-Berlingo is the smallest of the latest generation of electric Citroen vans and comes in
two specification levels, Feel and Flair XTR. From the outside, the e-Berlingo differs little from the regular combustion-engine Berlingo as its charging port is found under the fuel flap and subtle ‘e’ badging is the only clue to its zero-emissions status.
Citroen claims that the new electric powertrain gives the Berlingo a top speed of 81mph and a maximum range of 171 miles. Like the diesel-powered Berlingo, the new electric e-Berlingo is based on Stellantis’s EMP2 platform. This being said, the fuel tank and combustion engine have been replaced with a 50kWh battery pack and 134bhp electric motor. Compared to similarly-sized EV’s, charge times are reasonable too. When connected to a 100kW DC rapid charger, the battery can take on an 80% charge in around 30 minutes, while a full charge using an 11kW wall box is easily achievable overnight.
There are 3 main power modes to choose from: Eco, Normal and Power mode. When in Eco mode, the electric motor is restricted to 60kW of power. It also reduces the power of the air-conditioning to get every mile possible out of the battery. Normal mode is the e-Berlingo’s default mode. This power mode provides 80kW of power. If you are going on long uphill stretches or if your van is heavy with tools etc then you can switch to Power Mode. This uses the motor’s full 100kW.
While these offerings are impressive, it’s worth mentioning that the new electric model is only available in the brand’s two most expensive specifications – the cheaper X Pro and Worker Pro trims are only available with a diesel engine.
This is an impressive release from Citroen but rivals are coming thick and fast. The Renault Kangoo E-Tech and Mercedes-Benz eCitan look to be strong contenders for that top spot. If you are looking to lease your next van or want to know more about the electric options available, contact our team today.
*image from Citroen press release*