The improved version of Vauxhall's Combo Electric panel van offers businesses a small EV that should add up on the balance sheet, thinks Jonathan Crouch

Ten Second Review

The improved version of Vauxhall's Combo Electric panel van offers greater range and a bit more visual identity. It continues to share its design with Stellantis Group small LCV cousins but offers the advantages of Vauxhall's huge UK LCV dealer network to companies ready to take their first step into full-electric van ownership.

Background

Take up on electric vans has been much lower than that for electric cars. LCV operators aren't swayed by avant-garde design or the prospect of an EV acceleration rush. For many, the switch to electric just looks expensive, with its charging regime inconvenient. Change has to come though and those prepared to make a tentative foray into this new era could do worse than try the van we going to look at here, the improved version of Vauxhall's Combo Electric panel van. Like most vans these days, it's a shared design; you can have basically the same thing badged as a Citroen e-Berlingo, a Peugeot E-Partner, a Fiat E-Doblo or a Toyota Proace City Electric. Company customers though, care less about design semantics and more about service back-up, which is where Vauxhall with its sprawling dealer network ought to have an advantage. Some might this enhanced Combo Electric with its improved range, smarter looks and revised cabin be a good first step into a fresh electric era? Let's find out.

Driving Experience

Of course, a Combo Electric isn't any different to drive than its E-Partner, e-Berlingo or E-Doblo Stellantis Group EV cousins. Or indeed the Toyota Proace City Electric which also shares this model's basic design and drivetrain. Start up and there's the usual beep as you get the sign that all is ready to pull away; which you do in the default 'Normal' drive mode. The other selectable drive settings are 'Eco' and 'Power'. You'll need the 'Power' mode to unleash the electric motor's full 136hp output, though if you drive like that, you will of course get nowhere near the improved 50kWh battery's enhanced WLTP-rated best driving range figure of up to 205 miles (30 miles further than before). Obviously that'll fall with heavy loads in the back. For day-to-day use, it's better to stick to the 'Normal' mode, which restricts output to 108hp; or possibly around town to 'Eco' mode, though that gives you just 81hp and restricts the climate system. 'Normal' mode should be fine for realistic maximisation of range, particularly if you're proactive with the regenerative braking paddles that have been added behind the steering wheel - there are three settings. As usual with EVs, if you do need performance, it's only a right foot jab away; 62mph from rest occupies 11.2s, but the instant response you get to 30mph makes this LCV feel quicker than that. Overtakes are easy too; 50-75 mph takes 8.9s.

Design and Build

The change in front-end look here is distinct enough to suggest this to be a new generation Combo Electric, though actually under the skin the fundamentals here haven't changed very much and the practical loading stats haven't changed at all. The new 'Vizor' grille is much the same as has been added to all Vauxhall's passenger cars, featuring a smooth panel that runs the width of the front end with the latest company badge in its centre. Optionally flanking it are the brand's adaptive 'Intelli-Lux' LED matrix headlights, which incorporate 14 LED elements. As in the combustion range, there's a choice of standard L1 or long wheelbase L2 body styles, which both have sliding doors on each side. Unless you happen to notice the badging or the charging flap, there's actually little to set this EV van apart from any other Combo panel van model. There's a much fresher feeling inside with this updated model, with a dashboard redesign that allows for the installation of a 10-inch digital instrument cluster to go alongside a larger 10-inch central screen. This uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon cockpit platform that integrates AI for the first time. Lower trims get a redesigned smartphone station, allowing you to control the infotainment screen using your handset. At first glance, the cab doesn't seem much different from that of the diesel model, but closer inspection reveals different instrumentation and an e-Toggle drive mode selector in place of the gearshift. The drive modes are selected by a switch alongside. As before, the cabin's practical with a large lockable glove box, several cubbies in the dash and large door pockets with enough room for half-litre bottles and A4 clipboards. As expected, it's all very car-like - as this design needs to be given that it's also used to create a passenger MPV, the Combo Life Electric. Ahead of you, there's a steering wheel that adjusts for both reach and rake. And you sit very comfortably, with height and lumbar adjustment as well as a built-in armrest. Avoid base trim and you get Vauxhall's 'FlexCargo' package where, as on the ordinary model, the passenger seat back folds down to create a desk surface. None of this is of Vauxhall's own design, but it's all pretty functional. There is no lack of storage space in the cab: 16 storage points according to Vauxhall, these including a 15-litre area in the centre console. It's a place to do business.

Market and Model

After deduction of the available £2,500 government grant, Vauxhall wants from around £27,000 from you for this Combo Electric excluding VAT (which the brand claims is £4,450 less than the pre-facelift model). That's for the standard short wheelbase version. It's probably worth stretching to the long wheelbase XL variant, which only costs £950 more. There are two trim levels - 'Prime' and 'Pro'. If you stick to 'Prime', there's also a Crew Van variant with a second fold-out seating row for just under £29,500 - ex VAT after grant deduction. There are two levels of trim - 'Prime' and 'Pro' - and both include quite a lot. You can tick off twin sliding side doors, air conditioning and an 8-inch centre infotainment touchscreen with 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring. You also get cruise control, a colour 3.5-inch multi-information instrument binnacle display, Bluetooth, a DAB audio system and door mirrors that are heated and power adjustable. With 'Pro' trim, Vauxhall includes its 'FlexCargo' system which allows you to push through items from the cargo bay into the cab and fold down the passenger seat to create a handy table. Across the range, there are two USB ports in the cab and your dealer will offer you accessories like rubber floor mats and ply lining for the load space.

Practicalities and Costs

Potential Combo customers will be pleased to learn that the EV powertrain doesn't compromise practicality. Total capacity depends on your choice between standard (4.4-metres long) and long XL (4.75-metres long) body styles. There's the usual side-opening siding door and twin side-hinged rear doors that open to 180 degrees. The standard version offers 3,090mm of cargo area load length, with a maximum load height of 1,200mm and a maximum load width between the wheel arches of 1,229mm. The XL offers 3,440mm of cargo area load length. Yet more space can be freed up with the clever 'FlexCargo' feature. This uses a folding front passenger bench to add an extra 0.4m3, while also increasing the maximum load length by 1.3m. Maximum load volume including the 'FlexCargo' system on the standard model is 3.8m3; on the XL, it's 4.4m3. The maximum payload of the standard version is up to 803kg - or up to 751kg for the XL. Both have a towing capacity of up to 750kg. You can charge from a 100kW public rapid charger from 0-80% in 30 minutes. When connected to a 7kW garage wallbox, you'll need seven and a half hours to fully replenish the battery; or five hours with an 11kW wallbox.

Summary

Pretty much everything you need from a small electric van is here, provided you can afford the plump asking price and you find the 205 mile driving range sufficient. Load capacity is of a practical size - and uncompromised by the EV drivetrain. Servicing looks affordable and the charging stats are well up to scratch. Obviously, if you were offered a better deal on the near-identical Peugeot, Citroen, Fiat or Toyota versions of this design, you'd take it but Vauxhall retains its market share by keeping prices competitive, so that probably won't happen. Which means it's likely that many fleets might start their EV journey with a Combo Electric. A whole new world awaits.