Electric vehicle

Remember that you can park for free with an electric van in Oslo. But what about those who do not live in Oslo? Are cars like ë-Jumpy suitable for pig-ridden areas? It probably depends on what kind of job it will be used for.

Citroen ë-Jumpy 75 Kwh

e-jumpy

Forget smaller battery packs! If you want to replace your work car with an electric van, you must have at least 75 kwh. I have driven around with a critical eye to assess whether the Stellantis group's large battery pack is sufficient - also outside suburban areas.

 

Large battery

It's winter, 0 degrees and sour outside. Imagine you are in the countryside. You drive - you work - you warm up in the car - have a cup of coffee while reading the news - work more - drive and work even more. The last thing you want is to have to wait for one of the village's 2 chargers to become available, so that you can get home for dinner. Hence the large battery.


"Citroën ë-Jumpy - 100% electric is the perfect utility vehicle for those who work mostly in cities and suburban areas" - Bertel O. Steen


It seems that Citroen itself tones down the electric vans a thought. A bit like saying «don't use it, if you don't mean it» - as a warning. Last year I was out driving the same van with a 50 Kwh battery. Even in the city and suburban areas, the range was at its narrowest. The cars with the small battery packs no longer appear in the price lists. That's why we took the ë-Jumpy with a 75 Kwh battery out on the road to see how much power it draws.

e-jumpy
Citroen ë-Jumpy

e-jumpy
Nothing about the exterior that signals an electric car

 

Steals payload

The electric car version of Jumpy differs little from the diesel version. Different dashboard and gear lever. Silent and vibration-free motor is a clear plus. The hot air comes straight up onto the windows. At the first speed bump, the car seemed loaded - even though it was empty. Compared to the diesel version, the electric van weighs 460 kg more. Although it has gained an increased total weight, the useful weight is 275 kg lower. However, the luggage compartment should remain unchanged as it has been possible to pack the batteries in the undercarriage.

Consumption and range

On winter driving at around 0 degrees - after a driving route mainly along country roads at 80-90 km/h and a few stops along the way, I got an average consumption of 24,9 Kwh/100 km with a light load and starting from a warm garage. It is in line with the WLTP measurements. At 80-85 km/h on flat ground, the consumption is around 30 Kwh/100 km. Above 90 km/h, consumption rises a lot, which is common for all electric cars - and especially vans that have to push more air away. Based on our driving, we can conclude the following figures:
 
Estimated range in continuous, mixed driving: 306 km.
Estimated range when driving continuously at 80 km/h: 266 km.
 
The range measured according to the WLTP "combined" is 330 km. As is well known, it must be done to achieve equally good results in daily traffic.
 
Range is not an exact science. The calculated ranges are based on consumption with a warm car. That is, in more or less continuous use with only short breaks. If the car is left in such a way that it has time to cool down without preheating, the consumption is increased with each start - preferably to 35-40 kwh/100 km. It can greatly reduce the range during a winter day.


 

e-jumpy
Simple operation - scattered around on buttons and touch screen..

 

Cargo

According to the manufacturer, the charging figures are as follows:
0-100% with 11 Kw takes 7,5 hours
0-100% with 7,4 Kw takes 11,3 hours
0-80% with fast charger 100 Kw takes 48 minutes
 
This is on par with other electric cars. I haven't tested the charging time, but when I connected the car to a wall charger when returning it to the garage, a message came up saying that a full charge would not be possible until after 6,5 minutes. I'm used to it taking a while for the car to take power from the wall charger, but I thought 6,5 minutes was a long time - even though it was 0 degrees outside. Obviously a need for preheating here, which can certainly be carried out from the owner's app – perhaps also via the settings on the infotainment screen.

Misleading mileage calculation

Like other electric cars, ë-Jumpy has a km counter that calculates how many km you have left on the battery. If you stand in a queue or wait with the engine "running", you may experience seeing the expected km ticking down even if you have a lot of power left in the battery. The calculation uses the driving pattern of the last few minutes to calculate the number of km. It would have been more logical to know how many km you have left, given that you start driving right now - not based on the fact that the car will be stationary for the rest of the day. It is the battery meter you have to keep an eye on, not the odometer.


e-jumpy
Controls most things from here. Gear selector in the middle and separate buttons for Park and Brake (regenerative).

 

Behind the wheel

It is difficult to find a good sitting position for tall people. Nor is it ideal to drive with shoe size 46 with wide winter soles. Then the sole would often get stuck under something or other when I was going to move my foot from gas to brake. I have the same problem in the diesel version. On the road, the winter tires sound quite good, without being bothersome. I liked the bottom pull - as if the torque was higher than stated. This makes it easy to maintain a constant speed with a load and on uphill slopes. You can choose between three driving modes, "Normal", "Eco" and "Power". "Normal" provides similar power as in Jumpy with a diesel engine. In my eyes, "Eco" and "Power" have no practical use, although it is about taste and comfort. The car also provides a weak regenerative braking when you let off the gas, so that the batteries are supplied with electricity. In normal traffic it worked very well. There is also a "B" button on the gear selector which increases the regenerative braking.

Conclusion

If you buy a Citroen ë-Jumpy Proff+ as a business owner, you will get NOK 34 refunded in Enova support. The dealer arranges the paperwork for you and the money should be in your account after a week. Remember that you can park for free with an electric van in Oslo. But what about those who do not live in Oslo? Are cars like ë-Jumpy suitable for pig-ridden areas? It probably depends on what kind of job it will be used for. Long-distance driving is hardly a problem - even in winter. It is possible to anticipate range problems if one cannot plan either travel rod or how long the car is parked between trips, so that you drive with a cold car. Motorways are also "range-killers", especially for vans. The need to tow a heavy trailer does not speak in favor of an electric vehicle either. On the plus side, you get less noise and vibrations, lower costs for fuel and maintenance - and perhaps more on the day the car is to be traded in?


 

Facts Citroen ë-Jumpy 75 kwh

Weights and Measures
External dimensions - L, W, H: 496 x 192 x 190 cm
Wheelbase: 328 cm
Cargo space: 5,8 cubic metres
Net weight: 2113 kg (without driver)
Payload: 837 kg
Number of seats: 3
Max trailer weight w/brake: 1000 kg
- without brake: 750 kg

Drivetrain
Battery pack: 75 Kwh located under the load compartment
Engine: Electric, located at the front
Power: 136 HP
Torque: 260 Nm
Gearbox: Stepless.
Front wheel drive.

Performances
Top speed: 130 km/h
0-100: 11,9 – 13,3 seconds

Range and consumption
WLTP: 330 km (combined)
Calculated based on our trip in 0-3 degrees: 306 km
Stated consumption: 24,4 – 27,3 Kwh/100 km
Measured consumption (0-3 degrees): 24,9 Kwh/100 km

Cargo
Contacts: Type 2 and CSS
Stated charging times (0-100%)
… 7,4 Kw – 11h 20min
… 11 Kw – 7h
Stated charging time (0-80%)
… 100 Kw – 48 min

Tires
Dimensjon: 215/65R16C 109/107R
Type: Spikeless winter
Brand: Nokian Hakkapelitta

Price
PROFF+ L2: NOK 489 (incl. covered v-room and h-mount)
– ENOVA support: NOK 34

About the car
Place of manufacture: Valenciennes, France
Owner: Rent
Rented via hyre.no
Model: 2021
Mileage: 13
Km driven: 89
Source: van.citroen.no og vegvesen.no

 

jumpy
Clad load compartment (Lafinto) and proper LED lighting in the roof.

 

See

jumpy
Toyota Proace Electric 50 kwh
jumpy
Will the Proace become a Hiace?

 

Toyota Proace Electric 50 kwh with comfort factor

toyota proace electric
New Toyota Proace Electric

The advantages of electric vans are several. The climate discount from ENOVA's Zero Emission Fund is a cash subsidy of up to NOK 50 if you buy an electric vehicle in business. You save tolls. In Oslo, you can park for free in streets with resident parking. Not only do you save money - you don't have to argue with overzealous representatives from the City Environment Agency when things need to be picked up or delivered.

 

Not just a niche

Electric vans have long been niche vehicles for local driving in the largest cities. Now the demand has increased, without the big car brands being able to offer cars of sufficient size and range. This has made room for new car brands from China that have gained a good foothold. The new Toyota Proace Electric will therefore face competitors called BYD T3 50 kwh and Maxus e-Delivery 3 52,5 kwh, as well as the slightly smaller box van Nissan e-NV200 40 kwh.


mazda camper
Pleasant craft in excellent weather

A nice day

I smile when I think of the song "En fin dag" by Prima Vera. Of all the days in April, I had chosen a day with something resembling a blizzard! But it was actually quite alright to work and cruise around with a Proace Electric - even on a day like this. And if you are in a good mood yourself, you only meet nice people. I don't just want to highlight the well-being factor, but also the environmental factor. Whether you like it or not, Oslo is currently undergoing a small environmental revolution. What fits better then "our" electric van with an advertisement for Hertz Bilpool on the side. The car-sharing company has placed a couple of brand new Toyota Proace Electrics in Oslo - in addition to all its regular Proaces.


toyota proace electric
Rotatable writing board between the seats

French and a little Belgian?

Proace is, as most people know, not a pure Toyota product. It is identical to the Citroen Jumpy, Peugeot Expert and Opel Vivaro. The only difference is the front grill and logo. The Proace is manufactured at the Fiat factory Sevel in France just above the border with Belgium. The Toyota's VIN number states oddly enough Belgium as country of production. The collaboration with PSA means that the Proace Electric shares the battery pack and engine with models such as the Citroen ë-C4. Peugeot e-208, e-2008, Opel Corsa-e and new Mokka-e. This drive unit is set to become a big seller in Europe.

Powers and reach

In the small Peugeot 208, you can get a range of up to 340 km on mixed driving according to WLTP. In the much larger Toyota Proace Electric, the corresponding range is 219 km with the same battery pack. Although the range is far less than that of passenger cars, it is still on par with the competition. Even with a load of approximately 300 kg, 136 HP feels fully sufficient - at least as good as what the 2-litre diesel engine with 122 HP delivers. The electric motor has more horsepower, but lower torque than the diesel engine. The advantage of the electric version is that the torque is constant from the start.


toyota proace electric
Looks just like the other Proaces

Electric versus diesel

If you come from a Proace diesel to the Electric variant, there are no noticeable differences. The electric car's gear lever is shaped like a slide switch with a separate button for "P" as well as a separate button for more powerful recuperative braking. The car is not designed for so-called "one-pedal driving", but provides a weak - and just right - recovery of energy when you let off the gas. On the instrument panel you will also find an eco-meter instead of a rev counter and separate hands for each battery capacity and a separate eco-meter for the air conditioning. There you can see what effect air conditioning, heat, cold, heating wires and fans have on battery consumption. This is useful if you need to extend the range.

Can create range anxiety

There are a couple of features of the Proace Electric that you should be aware of. Even if you have full control over the range, you can be intimidated by the instrument panel - especially the number indicating the remaining range. If you stand in a queue with the air conditioning on - or make a number of stops along the way, the calculated remaining kilometers can plummet because the computer thinks you should stand still with the air conditioning on for the rest of the day. Even if you have to take the number with a pinch of salt, it is probably not a bad idea to switch off "power thieves", especially in queues. Check the eco-meter for climate energy.


toyota proace electric
Notice the separate eco-meter for climate energy at the top left.

Real range

Real range was this time calculated under unfavorable conditions. In my own eyes, I am an "expert" in getting the most kilometers possible out of any car. But in cold, wet conditions with slush on the road in several places - as well as queuing and waiting, my calculated range ended up being 160 real kilometres. It is about the same as I got out of the Nissan e-NV200 with a 40 kwh battery in cold and winter conditions. The combination of motorways, heavy loads, trailers (up to 1000 kg) and winter can further reduce the range. Many will probably be best served by choosing a larger battery pack.

On the road

"Our" car was of the L1H1 type, which in van language means "medium length and height". The electric car weighs 232 kg more than the equivalent model with a 2-litre diesel engine. On the country road, the Proace Electric is stable and comfortable, even in the bends. On vertical bumps - bumps and dumps - the damping could have been better. I also noted that the steering was light - and required more travel on the steering wheel than I'm used to. Noise level and seating comfort were otherwise very good. With cup holders and a fold-down work table in the middle seat, the well-being factor is high.


toyota proace electric
Gear lever "by wire" and drive mode selector

Conclusion

It is no secret that the Toyota Proace is the same car as the vans from PSA (Peugeot, Citroen and Opel). The only differences are that they are manufactured at different factories and sold through different retail chains. The cars are so similar that you don't have to choose car brand. Find the best one the retailer!

We have borrowed the Toyota Proace several times in the past with diesel. Proace is a good choice regardless of whether you choose diesel or battery. Electric vehicles, however, offer so many advantages that it would be unwise to choose anything else - but choose as large a battery as possible. The battery pack of 50 kwh can be scarce in bad conditions. The Toyota Proace with 75 kwh will probably be a better choice for most people. It will also be better equipped to face the competition from new electric vans. The Ford e-Transit with a 76 kwh battery will come next year.

If you need a van, there is in any case no reason not to drive electric.


 

Facts Toyota Proace Electric 50 kwh

Weights and Measures
External dimensions - L, W, H: 496 x 192 x 190 cm
Wheelbase: 328 cm
Cargo space: 5,8 cubic metres
Net weight: 1874 kg (without driver)
Payload: 926 kg
Number of seats: 3
Max trailer weight w/brake: 1000 kg
- without brake: 750 kg

Drivetrain
Battery pack: 50 Kwh
Engine: Electric, located at the front
Power: 136 HP
Torque: 260 Nm
Gearbox: Stepless.
Front wheel drive.

Performances
Top speed: 130 km/h
0-100: 12,1 seconds

Range
WLTP: 219 km (combined)
Calculated based on our trips: 160 km

Cargo
Contacts: Type 2 and CSS

Tires
Dimensjon: 215/65R16 109/107R
Type: Spikeless winter
Brand: VanContact Viking

Price
L1H1 Comfort: NOK 404
ENOVA support: NOK 19

About the car
Place of manufacture: Valenciennes, France
Owner: Hertz Car pool
Rented via hertzbilpool.no
Model: 2021
Mileage: 217
Km driven: 64
Source: Toyota.no


toyota proace electric
The hold

See

toyota van
Will the Proace become a Hiace?
Citroen ë-Jumpy
nissan possibly
Nissan e-NV200 40 Kwt
Ford Transit Custom
Got the job done!

 

The most usable small van

nissan e-nv200
Nissan e-NV200 40 Kwh

The Nissan e-NV200 40 kwh is not the world's best electric car, but currently the most usable small van in terms of range. We have spent a cold winter day with it.
 

First in Norway

Currently, the selection of small electric vans is not very large. The old ones are still the oldest, - Renault Kangoo and Nissan e-NV200 were the first. Later came the Citroen Berlingo. At the moment, the Nissan with a 40 kwh battery seems to be "most usable" in terms of size and range. Soon, the Peugeot Partner, Citroen Berlingo and Opel Combo will come with a new drivetrain, probably based on the PSA group's 50 kwh batteries. Electric vans from China have started to roll on Norwegian roads. The BYD T3 looks exactly like the Nissan e-NV200 and has a 50 kwh battery. The Maxus e-Delivery 3 is a larger van with a 52,5 kWh battery. Maxus is used by Posten and Bring, among others.


 

nissan e-nv200
In the garage ready for loading

Nissan e-NV200 on winter roads

There are several electric vans for rent in Oslo, but few with an OK range. Fortunately, I found an e-NV200 40 kwh from Bislet Bilutleie. When I stood a little later on Grünerløkka in front of a snow-covered van in minus 7 degrees, I got cold feet. I imagined a cold car, windows that rimmed from the inside and dead batteries. But the fear was totally unfounded. Fully charged battery and spontaneous hot air directly on the windows, heat in the seats and on the steering wheel. Just to go! The small streets were icy in places. I noticed that the car let go quite easily on the front wheels. It can certainly be attributed to the tires being two years old.

Easy to maneuver

I don't think there is any van that is easier to drive than the Nissan e-NV200. It is ideal for narrow city streets. Not too wide and with a super turning radius. Easy on the steering. As easy to maneuver as an electric forklift. You sit a little higher than in other vans. When I was behind other small vans like the Peugeot Partner and Volkswagen Caddy, my field of vision was over the roof of them. The good overview makes it easy to find your way around the city.

nissan e-nv200
At the ISI recycling station

On the road

At speed, you can hear a faint whine from the electric motor - a kind of tram noise. - Doors closing! zzzz… The sound is in no way annoying, only charming. The engine delivers enough power, even with a 280 kg load – but the e-NV200 does not invite you to test the limits. I know of a place where there is a big bump in the middle of a corner where it is possible to test the chassis at good speed. There are no vans that like this point on the road. With a rigid rear axle and rear leaf springs, the Nissan is no exception. It is easy to lose traction here.

Good for the back

I sat right into the seat without adjusting it. There aren't that many setting options, either. I adjusted the steering wheel to the lowest position. I think people with shorter arms than me would want the steering wheel even lower - or less horizontal (smaller bus steering wheel). The seating comfort in vans is rarely suitable for tall people like me. But according to the conditions, I sat perfectly fine with good side support for my back. Nice to have a rested back before going out to work.

The hold

The load compartment measures 200 x 150 x 136 cm. Between the wheel arches there is 122 cm. From the outside, the e-NV200 would look nicer with bigger wheels. But the positive thing is that the wheel arches don't steal so much space in the load compartment. It also takes 4,2 cubic meters of cargo. If you need to transport long items, you can take them on the roof - maximum 100 kg. You can get a trailer hitch as well, but only pull 450 kg. Max payload is 569 kg.

nissan e-nv200
The dashboard in the e-NV200

Filled to the ceiling

This autumn I have had several renovation projects. Like all kind craftsmen, I take packaging, coat and leftovers with me. I store that in my mekkebua. It is not unusual for people to come in when they need tools or have problems with their car. This time the job consisted of driving at the filling station. Finished sorted, loaded compactly according to all the rules of the art, I filled to the last centimeter before going to the ISI recycling station. This time there was more work than driving. On the way home I stopped by Biltema in Rud and bought two new storage shelves. I have room for them now that I have driven away all the scrap.

Battery pack

The powertrain is one of Norway's most proven. The electric motor is the same as in the Leaf 1 and the battery pack is Nissan's 40 kwh - the same as found in the new Leaf. Nissan's battery solution has received some criticism due to a lack of active temperature management of the batteries. Optimum operating temperature is important for the batteries to perform - and charge - maximally under all conditions. The batteries in the e-NV200 do not have active temperature control either, but a fan to cool the surrounding electronics during charging and a heater to prevent the batteries from freezing to pieces in extreme cold.

Range

The range is 200 km WLTP. Nissan.no has chosen to inform about "WLTP urban" as well. Such range figures are not relevant and only help to mislead people. If you want to compare with other models, only the WLTP (combined) range applies. My consumption would have given 170 km before the batteries were completely empty. I am quite satisfied with that under the prevailing driving conditions, even if the vans cannot yet compete with the best electric cars on the market.

Cargo

The Nissan e-NV200 can be quickly charged at ChaDeMo chargers. The car receives a maximum of 50 Kw. In practice, you rarely get more from fast chargers. Most give less, depending on several factors, including how many people charge at the same station at the same time. Nissan states that you should be able to quickly charge from a battery warning (approx. 10%) to 80% in between 40-60 minutes. I left the car to charge on its own wall charger with a Type2 cable for 90 minutes. According to the electricity supplier, the car then received only 6,6 Kw - limited by knowing not the charging source. The charging time from battery warning (10%) to 100% is stated as 7 hours and 30 minutes. My charging was in line with this. Most people will probably benefit from using their own wall charger for the e-NV200, where you can fully charge it overnight.

nissan e-nv200
The packages are 180 cm long.

Electric car

The first impression is intuitive. New drivers can just get in, press Start, put the car in Drive and drive away. There is nothing that lights up "advanced electric car" where someone has created a completely new user interface (kick to Tesla). As an owner, you can connect to the NissanConnect EV app and remotely control charging and heating, etc. The only thing you really don't need in 2021 is Nissan's "ECO" button that throttles the gas so you think there's something wrong with the car. Anyone who wants to can drive economically without help - and set the indoor climate themselves for comfort or energy saving.
 
Since the e-NV200 is based on the Leaf 1, Nissan's "e-Pedal" solution is not available either. By tilting the gear lever to the right, you can activate/deactivate the artificial engine brake. There is a gentle brake that adds extra charge to the battery when driving down long hills.

Subsidy for vans

It has never been more profitable to drive an electric van. If you buy a new electric commercial vehicle, you can now apply for a climate discount from ENOVA's Zero Emission Fund. Please note that the scheme does not apply to private individuals. Company cars bought with a subsidy cannot be resold to private individuals before 12 months. Let the car salesperson fill in the application when you sign the contract. You then report the registration number to ENOVA after you have collected the car. You will receive the grant in your account within 5-7 days. The scheme applies to all electric cars with green plates. For the Nissan e-NV200, the rates are currently:

Comfort plus: Price 307 – Support: 480
Premium: Price 327 – Support: 480


 

Facts Nissan e-NV200

Weights and Measures
External dimensions - L, W, H: 450 x 176 x 186 cm
Cargo space - L, W, H: 200 x 150 (122*) x 136 cm
* between the wheel arches
Wheelbase: 273 cm
Net weight: 1539 kg (without driver)
Number of seats: 2
Max trailer weight: 450 kg
Roof load: 100 kg

Drivetrain
Battery pack: AESC (China) 40 Kwh
Engine: Electric, located at the front
Power: 109 HP
Torque: 254 Nm
Gearbox: Stepless.
Front wheel drive.

Performances
Top speed: 123 km/h
0-100: 14,0 seconds

Range
WLTP: 200 km (combined)

Tires
Dimension: 185/65R15
Type: Spikeless winter used 2 seasons
Brand: Continental Viking Contact 7

About the car
Place of production: Barcelona, ​​Spain
Owner: Bislet Car Rental
Rented via the app Rent
Model: 2018 (no. 191 new series)
Mileage: 26068
Km driven: 65
Source: Nissan.no, Enova og InsideEEVs.com - 2014 article

nissan e-nv200
Own spaces for car sharing in Oslo municipality. Three spaces at Grünerløkka are reserved for Bislet Bilutleie.

 

See

nissan e-nv200
Citroen ë-Jumpy
Nissan Leaf 30 kWh
electric cars from china
The Chinese are coming!
Range, range…
Toyota Proace Electric 50 kwh