Volkswagen has launched a new electric version of its Transporter delivery van, which will make its debut in the Australian market with a price between $83,590 for the short-wheel-base (SWB), and $85,590 for the top-spec long-wheel-base (LWB).
The arrival of the electric Transporter follows the successful release of the popular ID.Buzz electric Kombi, and follows a number of new electric vans introduced to the Australian market.
“Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles now has the newest and best range of vans on the market, from our updated compact Caddy and large Crafter, to our innovative ID. Buzz Cargo BEV,” Volkswagen commercial vehicles head of product and marketing Michelle Rowney said:
“Now comes the renewal and expansion of one of our iconic nameplates, the Transporter.
“We have created a range that allows customers to tailor their options to their needs, from blank canvas to fully equipped – focusing on mix and match equipment and special camper preparation that reflects the Transporter being synonymous with ‘van life’ around Australia.”
“Every Transporter is a medium-sized sweet spot perfect for small and big business, camping lifestyles and much more, offering a combination of more space, more technology and more choice, including a powerful 210kW BEV.”
Both variants will have a 64 kWh battery pack with 11 kW AC charging and 125 kW of DC charging available. This would help get the van from 10-80% in 38 minutes. Powering these variants is a rear-mounted motor delivering 210 kW of power and 415 Nm of torque.
Official EV range for Australian variants is to be announced next month, but in Europe, the real-world range of over 250 km is achievable according to evdb.
The SWB is 5.05 m long while the LWB is 5.45 m with payloads of 760 kg for the LWB and 806 kg for the SWB variant.
On the towing front, 2.3 tonnes of towing capacity is available on the BEV version.
Inside, there are two screens, which include a 12-inch screen behind the steering wheel, while there is a 13-inch screen for infotainment.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are on offer to help bring key apps into the car, while 7-USB ports are also found inside.
Other standard features include heated front seats and single-zone climate control, as well as keyless start.
On the safety front, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind spot monitoring, trailer assist, reverse emergency braking, parking sensors and rear-view camera to help with parking. A 360-degree camera is also available as a $690 option.
This new Volkswagen Transporter is arriving at Volkswagen dealerships next month, bringing a new option for those in the last-mile delivery, camping and trade sectors.
| Standard Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Body | |
| 3 folding roof racks | |
| Active radiator grille opening/closing | |
| Black grained bumpers in front and rear | |
| Black grained exterior mirror housings and door handles | |
| Exterior mirrors, power-adjustable, heated and power-folding | |
| Fuel tank with a volume of 70 l (Diesel only) | |
| Heat-reflecting glass in side windows | |
| Heated rear window | |
| Laminated safety glass windshield, heat-insulating | |
| Tailgate with heated window and wiper | |
| Sliding door on front passenger side | |
| Standard roof | |
| Trailer hitch preparation | |
| Chassis | |
| 3.2t gross vehicle weight rating | |
| 4 steel wheels 6.5J x 16 | |
| Electronic Stability Control ESC and electromechanical brake booster | |
| Steel spare wheel 215/65 R16 C (Diesel FWD only) | |
| Temporary spare wheel 155/70 R17 + jack (Diesel 4MOTION only) | |
| Tyre Mobility Set (Electric models only) | |
| Tyres 215/65 R16 C 109 T | |
| Safety Equipment | |
| Anti-theft alarm system with interior monitoring, backup horn and towing protection | |
| Driver and front passenger airbags | |
| Side airbags and curtain airbags in cab | |
| Emergency call feature | |
| Front Assist with Pedestrian/Cyclist Monitoring, Front Cross Traffic Assist | |
| Lane change system Side Assist with exit warning and lane-centre guidance | |
| Adaptive Cruise Control ACC stop & go with predictive speed control assistant | |
| Park Distance Control front and rear with manoeuvre braking | |
| Rear view camera system (with lane change system) | |
| LED main headlamps including LED daytime running light | |
| LED rear combination lamps | |
| Manual-dimming interior rearview mirror | |
| Interior Trim | |
| 2-seater front passenger bench with load-through system and folding table | |
| 8-way adjustable driver seat | |
| 4-way power lumbar support for driver seat | |
| Armrests for driver seat | |
| Seat heater for cab seats, individually controllable | |
| Roof grab handles for driver and passenger | |
| Electric auxiliary heater (Electric models only) | |
| Illuminated glove compartment with soft-close lid | |
| LED cab lights | |
| LED roof lights in load area | |
| Metal partition, high, with window | |
| Centre console with beverage holder and phone compartment | |
| Plastic floor covering in load compartment with raised edges | |
| Plastic scuff plate on sliding door, black | |
| Plastic side trim in load compartment, medium height | |
| Fabric seat trim “Life” | |
| Functional Equipment | |
| Premium multi-function steering wheel | |
| 4-way head restraints, height and tilt adjustable | |
| 6 tie-downs in load compartment (SWB) | |
| 8 tie-downs in load compartment (LWB) | |
| 12-V outlets (front console and rear D-pillar) | |
| 4 speakers (2 in dashboard, 2 in doors) | |
| 7x USB in cab | |
| AGM vehicle battery 80 Ah (Diesel models only) | |
| 1-zone automatic air conditioning | |
| Alternator 240 A | |
| Central locking with Keyless Start | |
| Digital Cockpit | |
| Dynamic Road Sign Display | |
| Energy-efficient heat pump (Electric models only) | |
| High-beam control Light Assist | |
| Mobile phone interface with wireless charging | |
| Navigation system with 13-inch touchscreen and wireless App-Connect | |
Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated that the electric Transporter offers a camper option. The camper option is available only on the entry-level diesel model.
Riz is the founder of carloop based in Melbourne, specialising in Australian EV data, insight reports and trends. He is a mechanical engineer who spent the first 7 years of his career building transport infrastructure before starting carloop. He has a passion for cars, particularly EVs and wants to help reduce transport emissions in Australia. He currently drives a red Tesla Model 3.