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 maximum speed 120 km/h, without Tyre pressure sensor, with jack (Diesel FWD only)
Temporary spare wheel 155/70 R17 + jack (Diesel 4MOTION only)
Tyre Mobility Set (12-volt compressor and Tyre sealant) (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 airbag
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 system and lane-centre guidance
Adaptive Cruise Control ACC stop & go with cruise control system and predictive speed control assistant
Park Distance Control in front and rear with manoeuvre braking
Rear view camera system in connection 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 seat 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 seats in cab, individually controllable
Roof grab handles on roof frame on driver side and front passenger side
Electric auxiliary heater (Electric models only)
Illuminated glove compartment with soft-closing lid
LED light units for cab
LED roof lights in load area
Metal partition, high, with window
Centre console with beverage holder and compartment for mobile phone
Plastic floor covering in load compartment with raised side edges to prevent overflow
Plastic scuff plate on sliding door, Black
Plastic side trim panel in load compartment, medium height
Seat trim covers in fabric “Life”
Functional equipment
Premium multi-function steering wheel
4-way head restraints, adjustable in height and tilt
6 tie-downs for securing goods in the load compartment (SWB)
8 tie-downs for securing goods in the load compartment (LWB)
12-V outlet in center console in front and 12-V outlet on D-pillar at the bottom, rear right
4 speakers (2 speakers in the dashboard and 2 speakers in the cab doors)
7x USB in cab
AGM vehicle battery 80 Ah (Diesel models only)
Air conditioning system in cab (1-zone automatic control)
Alternator 240 A
Central locking system 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 inductive charging feature
Navigation system with 33-cm (13-inch) colour touch screen and wireless App-Connect (Apple & Android)
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.
