German automotive giant Volkswagen has opened the UK order books for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ first fully electric van, the ABT eTransporter 6.1, with prices starting at £42,060 ($A74,000) and accompanied by a zero-per cent finance offer.
Launched earlier this year, the ABT eTransporter 6.1 offers an all-electric range of up to 132-kilometres (82-miles) and boasts cargo space of 6.7m3.
With flexible charging options including options which allow for 80% charge in only 45 minutes, Volkswagen is pushing the new fully electric van’s combination of “quiet and smooth driving, instant torque, fast charging and high load capacity.”
Delivering a maximum power of 110PS (83kW) and a commendable 0-100kph time of 17.4 seconds, the ABT eTransporter 6.1 is powered by an onboard lithium-ion battery which supplies power to both the on-board electrics and the motor.
It is fitted with regenerative braking which recovers energy lost when braking and fed back into the battery, the eTransporter also features a modified dual clutch transmission DSG which, when Drive is selected, allows the motor to deliver 75% to maximise range, while the kickdown function on the gear shift provides 100% power and torque to maximise performance.
The ABT eTransporter 6.1 also comes with a Combined Charging System (CCS) socket providing flexible charging options, allowing charging by either a DC charging CCS socket or an AC Type 2 charging plug. A Type 2 charging cable is included as standard, with AC charging at up to 7.2kW using a wallbox which can charge the battery in around five and a half hours.
The DC charging, meanwhile, allows charging up to 50kW using its CCS connector which allows charging up to 80% in only 45 minutes – ideal for business vans working a busy shift pattern and which need to be out on the road.
Pricing for the ABT eTransporter 6.1 Panel van starts from £42,060 ($A74,000), adding the Advance trim pushes the price up to £45,360 ($A79,700), while the kombi crew van and kombi crew van Advance are priced from £46,375 ($A81,500) and £49,985 ($A), respectively (all UK prices exclude VAT).
To further incentivise purchase of the ABT eTransporter 6.1, Volkswagen is offering a finance package which enables customers to secure zero per cent APR on hire purchase (HP), with a minimum 40 per cent deposit – where the ABT eTransporter 6.1 Panel van is available on contract hire from £415 per month.
