The surge in interest in EVs in Australia is extending to electric vans, with a rush of new models reaching the market at ever lower prices.
The Chinese based Farizon, owned by Geely Holdings, laid down a new benchmark on Friday with the announcement that its new V7E all electric commercial van will arrive in Australia next month with a drive-away price starting at $49,990.
That beats the $55,990 price announced earlier this week by Kia, whose first all-electric PV5 Cargo van will be start from $55,990 when it also arrives in dealerships in late May. That was lower than the offerings of other electric vans in the local market, but is now trumped by Farizon.
The V7E, however, includes a smallish 50 kWh battery in its base model, and a 66 kWh battery in its bigger model. The smaller battery offers WLTP range of 240 kms, while the large battery is rated at 329 kms.
The van has a 240V on board power outlet, allowing tools and equipment to be powered directly from the vehicle.
Adam Lawson, the country general manager of Jameel Motors Australia, which is distributing the V7E, says there is a growing shift in the commercial vehicle market as electric options become increasingly viable for day-to-day business operations.
“The V7E has been developed to meet the real expectations of commercial vehicle operators – capability, value and dependable day-to-day usability,” Lawson said in a statement.
“With pricing that sits competitively alongside traditional ICE vans, combined with the potential for lower running and servicing costs over time, the V7E offers a strong total cost of ownership proposition for many businesses.”
With over 1,300kg payload capacity and 6.95m³ of cargo volume, the V7E has been engineered around the everyday requirements of commercial operators, combining right-sized dimensions with efficient electric performance suited to urban delivery environments.
Giles Parkinson is founder and editor of The Driven, and also edits and founded the Renew Economy and One Step Off The Grid web sites. He has been a journalist for nearly 40 years, is a former business and deputy editor of the Australian Financial Review, and owns a Tesla Model 3.