LDV announces electric vehicle trio: eT60, MIFA 9 and eDeliver 9 set for Australian launch
LDV’s electric onslaught has begun in earnest, as the company launches the eT60 electric ute, eDeliver 9 cargo van, and MIFA 9 people mover in the Australian market.
The LDV eT60 is Australia’s first electric ute. Images: LDV Australia
LDV has pulled the cover off three new all-electric models, and all are now on sale in Australia. The MIFA 9 is a futuristic people mover, capable of carrying 7 adults and travelling over 400km. The press release states that the MIFA 9 “[is] making people movers cool again”, and we wouldn’t disagree. The eT60 is being lauded as Australia’s first electric ute, and should do well with fleets and businesses looking to go electric. The eDeliver 9 is a delivery van with close to 12.5 cubic metres of cargo capacity in top-spec, and offers a large 88.55kWh battery with DC rapid charging.
The LDV MIFA 9 features a 400km+ range.
LDV MIFA 9 electric people mover
People movers are cool - even prestigeous - amongst wealthy buyers in Asia. The Japanese revere the Toyota Alphard; the Voyah Dreamer is the world’s fastest people mover (not that it has much competition).
LDV is hoping Australian buyers looking for space, luxury and all the benefits of an electric drivetrain will consider the MIFA 9; priced from $106,000, it’s creeping towards the pricing of large SUVs from Volvo, Lexus and BMW, and far beyond a Hyundai Palisade, or the minivan stalwart, the Kia Carnival.
Three trim levels are available: Mode, Executive and Luxe. Battery, drivetrain and motors are all identical, however range suffers on the mid and high-spec models due to larger wheel sizes.
The 90kWh battery should provide around 400km (248mi) of real world range for this beast, and the company claims DC fast charging will take 36 minutes to charge from 30%-80%. LDV offers a 5 year, 200,000km warranty, and an 8 year, 200,000km battery warranty. Service intervals are 2 years/30,000kms.
The LDV eT60 will be a hit with fleets and businesses looking to meet strict emissions targets.
LDV eT60 electric utility vehicle
The eT60 is expensive. More than double a regular LDV T60 Max 4x4 ute in fact, which can be picked up for around $45,000 driveaway in Australia. But focusing on price is missing the point; a spokesperson for LDV told EV Brief that interest is strong, and demand has already seen the initial allocation of eT60s sold out.
We anticipate strong interest from businesses and especially fleets, who will be paying fleet prices, and in the cases of governments, may not even pay stamp duty. They’ve already done the sums, and the eT60 must make business sense if they’re happy to lock in orders for these vehicles. They may also have commitments to emissions targets that will require quick transition to a zero emissions fleet.
Starting at $92,990, the eT60 offers a marginally smaller battery pack than the MIFA 9, at 88.55 kWh. It can charge to 80% via DC fast charging in around 45min, and features a rear wheel drive, single motor drivetrain with 130kW and 310Nm. We’re disappointed that the four-wheel drive variant hasn’t made it to Australia - at least not yet - as this capability is often a priority for those purchasing utility vehicles.
LDV’s eDeliver 9 features identical cargo capacity to its ICE siblings.
LDV eDeliver 9 electric logistics van
The LDV Deliver series is popular in Australia, and the addition of an electric model with over 250km of range should be a winner with fleet operators and logistics businesses. The same 88.55kWh lithium-ion battery is present, delivering a WLTP range of 280km (mid roof variant) and 275km (high roof variant). A cab chassis version is also available, with a 65kWh lithium ion battery and a WLTP range of 150km.
The cargo area is massive, with 10.97m3 for the LWB Mid Roof variant, and 12.33m3 for the LWB High Roof variant. This is identical to the combustion engine-powered models. Payload is 1,410kg for the Mid Roof and 1,350kg for the High Roof, while braked towing capacity is limited to 1,500kg.
Pricing starts from $99,990 for the cab chassis, and $116,537 for the mid-roof eDeliver 9.
More info coming soon; we hope to organise a drive of this electric trio when possible.
Ford Australia to introduce E-Transit electric commercial vehicle in 2022
Ford’s E Transit to arrive in Australia mid-2022, as part of a plan to bring five electrified models Down Under by 2024.
It may not be the Mustang Mach-E or the F150 Lighting, but Ford Australia has announced an electrification strategy that will kick off with the E-Transit commercial vehicle in mid-2022, and will eventually include five new electric Ford models for the Australian market by 2024.
The E-Transit is a 68 kWh battery electric vehicle, with a WLTP rated range of 317 km (197 miles). The rear-mounted motor produces 198kW and 430Nm of torque, driven through the rear wheels. Those are some serious numbers for a commercial vehicle. The current 2021 on the market outputs around 125kW for comparison.
According to Anna Hercan, Transit Retail & Product Marketing Manager, Ford Australia, “Our business customers tell us how important it is for them to have their van ready whenever it’s needed. E-Transit has more than enough range for a full day’s work, can fully charge overnight so it’s ready for the next morning and there’s no sacrifice in its load-carrying capacity or convenience.”
To meet customers’ expectations, the E-Transit offers 11.3kW AC and 115kW DC charging, with a 15-80 percent charge taking around 34 minutes on a DC fast charger. According to Ford Australia, E-Transit offers drive modes tailored to its electric powertrain. A special Eco Mode can provide between eight and 10 per cent improvement in energy usage if E-Transit is driven without cargo, or at highway speeds. Eco Mode limits top speed, regulates acceleration and optimises climate control to help maximise the available driving range.
The vehicle also supports Scheduled Pre-Conditioning, enabling the climate control system to be programmed to adjust the cabin to the preferred temperature while the vehicle is still on charge, ensuring that the maximum driving range is available.
E-Transit also offers 11.3 cubic metres of cargo space in mid-roof specification and 12.4 cubic metres for the high roof version, both of which are identical to the Transit 350L RWD diesel equivalents currently available. Gross vehicle mass of up to 4.2 tonnes is offered, with a targeted payload of 1,616 kg.
According to market research company YouGov, 58 per cent of businesses can see EV’s becoming a part of their vehicle fleet in the future. Furthermore, 63 per cent of Aussie consumers would like to see cleaner and more sustainable commercial vehicle fleets on the road and 52 per cent are likely to consider an electrified vehicle for their next vehicle purchase.
Ford Australia will bring new battery-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles to Australia, as part of a plan to build an electrified future down under. According to Andrew Birkic, president and CEO of Ford Australia and New Zealand, “We are accelerating our electrified future in Australia, [and] we are anticipating the needs of each type of customer and bringing the best of our global lineup to meet those requirements. For business customers, E-Transit delivers the durability and capability they need to serve their customers, along with zero-emissions efficiency.”
We expect this plan to include a mix of battery-only (BEVs) and Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles (PHEVs); while Ford is implementing its electrification strategy, building battery plants, new factories, and partnering with Volkswagen to leverage Wolfsburg’s Modular Electric Drive (MEB) platform architecture, all this takes time, and it is unlikely the fruits of such pursuits would make their way to Australia in two years.
With Hyundai and Kia planning more volume BEVs by 2022, and an expected wave of new Chinese cars to reach our shores by next year, Ford may be a bit late to the BEV party.
Back to the E Transit though; the last-mile delivery market in Australia is an untapped opportunity for e-mobility manufacturers. With the pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic on business, alongside increasing costs of fuel and road charges, businesses in Australia are looking for more ways to save money and the environment. Furthermore, commercial vehicles are more often than not dirty, diesel soot-belching models, and these noisy vehicles spend a large percentage of their lives idling on residential streets. If Ford can make a business case for the E Transit here, other global manufacturers are sure to follow. Let’s just hope we will see the Mustang Mach-E here eventually.
Nexport to bring self-branded last mile electric van to Australia in October 2021
Australia's importer for BYD vehicles and electric buses Nexport has revealed that it plans to bring an all-electric commercial van to Australia, with customer test drives commencing in October 2021, and deliveries in 2022.
Nexport’s DLX electric van. Via Luke Todd on Linkedin
Australia's importer for BYD vehicles and electric buses Nexport has revealed that it plans to bring an all-electric commercial van to Australia, to be named the Nexport DLX. In a statement via Linkedin, Nexport managing director Luke Todd said that “Mass production in NSW will commence in early 2022. We will soon announce price and specifications....Nexport is creating jobs for Australians wishing to join the clean-tech manufacturing renaissance.”
Nexport DLX revealed on Linkedin
Earlier in the week, Todd also posted on Linkedin, stating “ARRIVED. Introducing the DLX electric logistics truck, the newest addition to the Nexport suite of zero-emission products. Customer test drives to commence in Australia by October 2021. Customer deliveries scheduled for Q1, 2022. No overhyped market build up needed. The DLX just arriEVd and will deliEVr.”
The use of “Arrived” references UK-based EV commercial vehicle startup Arrival, which currently has a similar electric van in development, with production to commence in the third quarter of 2022. Arrival has no plans to bring its vehicles to markets outside North America and Europe at this stage.
Nexport’s vehicles will eventually be manufactured in Australia
This is a very short but welcome timeline from Nexport; Australia’s transport emissions have grown steadily over the last few decades, and account for one-third of our greenhouse gas emissions according to the Climate Council.
Nexport already manufactures buses in Australia, utilising BYD powertrains and bus bodies from Gemilang and Volgren, so it’s possible that they are leveraging existing manufacturing capacity to bring the DLX to market so quickly. Another scenario could be that the company plans to “flat pack” vehicle bodies and drivetrain components, ready for final assembly on Australian shores.
Nexport has plans to eventually establish a passenger and commercial vehicle manufacturing facility in Australia, on a 51 hectare site 90 minutes south-west of Sydney. We have contacted Nexport for more information and will update this post accordingly.
Source: LinkedIn
Peugeot e-Boxer last-mile electric delivery van priced from £49,335 in UK
Peugeot has announced pricing for its e-Boxer electric van in the UK. Customers have the choice of panel van, window van, and chassis cab body styles, three wheelbase lengths depending on business needs, and two battery options:
Peugeot’s e-Boxer will start from £49,335 in the UK after the PiCG. Images: Peugeot
Peugeot has announced pricing for its e-Boxer electric van in the UK. Customers have the choice of panel van, window van, and chassis cab body styles, three wheelbase lengths depending on business needs, and two battery options:
Panel Van L2H2 435 37kWh Auto Professional - £49,335 (After Plug-in Car Grant)
Panel Van L3H2 435 70kWh Auto Professional - £55,085
Panel Van L3H2 440 70kWh Auto Professional - £58,355
Panel Van L4H2 440 70kWh Auto Professional - £59,255
Window Van L4H2 440 70kWh Auto Professional - £59,750
Chassis Cab L3 435 70kWh Auto Professional - £52,010
Chassis Cab L3 440 70kWh Auto Professional - £55,280
The entry model offers a 37 kWh battery with a 73-mile (117km) range (WLTP). Buyers can option a larger 70kWh battery, which will provide 139 miles (224km) of range, and will cost an additional £5,750.
All models come with a 22kW Type 2 charging cable that is compatible with both single and three phase wallboxes. A full 0-100% charge using a 7.4kW single phase wallbox can be achieved in six hours on the 37kWh battery, and 12 hours on the 70kWh battery. The e-Boxer also supports DC rapid charging up to 50kW, allowing a 0-80% charge in just one hour. Both battery options are connected to a 90kW electric motor producing 350Nm of torque.
Peugeot’s e-Boxer will offer a choice of 117km or 224km range models.
While the vehicle range-to-price ratio may seem uneconomical, electric delivery vans are set to be common sights on our streets in response to strict environmental standards being introduced at all levels of government across the United States and Europe. Volta is aiming to bring a range of electric trucks to European streets by 2025, and Amazon/Rivian’s delivery van is currently testing across the United States.
The efficient and clean movement of freight within dense urban areas is a complex problem facing municipalities and planners alike, and short-range, zero-emissions vehicles are set to slash diesel usage and particulate matter. There is potential to quickly reduce fleet operating costs, as well as downtime due to mechanical issues. Electric vehicles also offer the ability to integrate smart software into the vehicle, to optimise delivery routes and minimise driver fatigue.
Peugeot’s e-Boxer is available to order now for European customers.
