Citroen e-SpaceTourer electric minibus: prices, specs and trim levels

Citroen has lowered the starting prices for both the M and XL versions of its e-SpaceTourer zero-emissions minibus, which is now the only version of the van-based MPV available following Citroen's decision to axe the petrol and diesel-powered models.

The standard wheelbase e-SpaceTourer in entry-level Business trim now starts from £30,295 after the recently reduced plug-in car grant has been deducted. Or, for £30,495, the longer XL model promises more cabin space and practicality.

The Business Edition can seat up to nine across three rows of three seats, with the second row having ISOFIX child-seat anchor points as standard. There's also air-conditioning, cruise control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a seven-inch touchscreen and driver attention alert. Flair is an eight-seater and adds 17-inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery, a panoramic glass roof, sat nav, cruise control with a speed limiter, a head-up display and blind-spot monitoring.

The e-SpaceTourer is based on the Citroen e-Dispatch panel van; the pair mirror the e-Traveller minibus and e-Expert van from sister French brand Peugeot, as well as the Vauxhall Vivaro-e Life minibus and Vauxhall Vivaro-e van. The company says the car is especially well suited to the requirements of executive shuttle and taxi companies, as well as sports clubs or other organisations, and larger families.

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Citroen e-SpaceTourer range, battery and charging

Like the equivalent Peugeot model, the Citroen e-SpaceTourer has a 50kWh battery, giving a driving range between charges of 143 miles. The battery is located under the floor and so doesn't impinge on passenger or luggage space; it's covered by an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty.

Charging is possible from a conventional three-pin socket, a home wallbox (7.4kW), a workplace wallbox (11kW) or a public rapid charger (up to 100kW). From the latter, an 80% top-up will take half an hour, rising to nearly five hours from the 11kW wallbox and seven-and-a-half hours from the 7.4kW wallbox.

Charging can be managed remotely using the MyCitroen smartphone app, and Citroen has also partnered with Pod Point in the UK for the supply and installation of home or workplace wallboxes. Citroen customers benefit from an extended five-year warranty on these. In addition, Citroen has partnered with BP to offer customers a free six-month subscription to the Pulse network of public charging stations across the UK.

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Electric motor and performance

The e-SpaceTourer's 100kW (134bhp) electric motor gives a top speed of 80mph, while there are three drive modes: Eco (60kW) restricts acceleration and reduces heating and air-conditioning power in order to maximise range, Power (100kW) delivers the motor's full output for the best acceleration, overtaking and hillclimbing capability, while Normal (80kW) strikes a balance between the other two.

There are also two levels of regenerative braking to choose from: Standard aims to provide a similar feeling to lifting off the accelerator in a diesel van, while Enhanced gives a stronger slowing effect when the accelerator is released, allowing the driver to minimise use of the brake pedal.

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Interior and practicality

In the UK, the e-SpaceTourer is offered in the 'M' chassis length only. This is 4.95 metres long, with a 3.27-metre wheelbase, 0.8-metre rear overhang and turning circle of 12.4 metres. The five-seater version leaves capacity for 2,381 litres of luggage. Seating can be folded or slid backwards and forwards on rails to free up luggage or passenger space as required.

A total of 74 litres of cabin storage is offered, spread across a mix of open and closed storage areas, including the gloveboxes, cup-holders, door bins and passenger trays. Citroen says there's no loss of interior space compared to the conventional diesel-engined SpaceTourer.