Here’s some van-tastic news: the Ford E-Transit has been named the outright What Car? Van of the Year.
The new E-Transit, which was launched earlier this year, won both the Electric Van and Large Van categories in the 2023 Van and Commercial Vehicle Awards run by our sister brand. It is the first time that a van has won the awards in both its class size and electric van categories. In naming it the winner of the overall title, What Car? said that the machine represents a “watershed moment” for electric vans.
The latest electric van news: get our FREE newsletter
The machine is the electric version of Britain’s most popular large van, and features a range of up to 196 miles. Judges noted that the E-Transit can carry payloads larger than its rivals – perfect for carting home a load of trophies in an award ceremony, then – and had the potential to save operators in thousands of pounds of running costs.
What Car? deputy editor Darren Moss said: “With a configuration available to suit most businesses, performance that will help you keep pace with the cut and thrust of urban traffic or get up to motorway speeds quickly, and a long electric range, the E-Transit leads in just about every area.”
The E-Transit wasn’t the only battery powered winner in the awards. The new Volkswagen ID Buzz was named the best Van-based MPV.
Electric vans has a strong history in the What Car? Van of the Year Awards: the Vauxhall Vivaro-e took the title in 2021, with the badge-engineered Citroën e-Berlingo/Peugeot e-Partner/Toyota Proace City Electric/Vauxhall Combo-e Cargo taking the title last year.
EVs have also done well in awards organised by What Car? in 2022: the Kia EV6 was named this year's overall Car of the Year.
READ MORE
Subscribe to the Move Electric newsletter
e-CARS
Chinese car brand Nio to expand into UK by end of 2023
Driving a Citroën Ami around London: five things we learned
New Polestar 3: 380kW performance EV aims to 'redefine' the electric SUV
e-BIKES
Seven essential accessories to improve your e-bike life
The Lake District village that's pioneering community e-bike schemes
e-MOTORBIKES
Honda to launch more than 10 electric motorbikes by 2030
New Zero DSR/X launched as electric adventure motorbike
Stilride: the brand reinventing electric motorbike production
e-SCOOTERS
8Tev B12 Roam e-scooter review
Pure Electric launches two new machines that 'reinvent' the e-scooter
Rise in e-scooter accidents prompts call for 'urgent' government action
e-WORLD
Artemis electric ferry revealed for Bangor to Belfast service
New Mobilize Solo Concept is a safety-conscious e-scooter rival
Volta Zero: the electric truck tearing up the rule book for the electric age