New Volkswagen eTransporter arrives to much van-demonium

Eco-conscious tradespeople should try to contain their excitement, because the new Volkswagen eTransporter has just been revealed as VW’s largest electric van, sitting above the retro-styled Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo in the brand’s commercial line-up.

For now, Volkswagen remains tight-lipped about the eTransporter’s exact specifications. However, considering the recent partnership between Ford and VW on the smaller Ford Tourneo and Volkswagen Caddy, plus the electric Volkswagen ID.4 and Ford Explorer SUVs, it’s likely that the eTransporter will share its underpinnings with the new Ford E-Transit Custom (and official pictures of the disguised Transporter show a remarkable visual similarity to the recently launched Ford).

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At launch, the Volkswagen eTransporter will only be available in single-motor, rear-wheel drive form – however, it's been confirmed that a dual-motor four-wheel drive version is coming later down the line. Entry-level vans will get an 114bhp electric motor with a 54kWh battery pack, with 134bhp, 213bhp and 282bhp outputs also set to be offered.

Top-spec vans will get an 83kWh battery and considering Ford quotes a range of up to 236 miles for its electric van, it’s not out of the question that range-topping editions of its Volkswagen sibling will be able to achieve similar numbers on a full battery. E-Transit Custom owners can also rapid charge their van at speeds of up to 125kW, something that’ll also likely be the case for the VW.

The only images we currently have of the new Volkswagen eTransporter feature the van wrapped in a heavy digital-style camouflage; however, we can still make out the Transporter’s slatted grille which is likely to be blanked off in electric versions – the Transporter will also be available with diesel and plug-in hybrid power. Whilst the camo helps to disguise this, we also believe that, just like the E-Transit, the eTransporter will get a front LED light bar, as is the current fashion for EVs.

Volkswagen has granted us a much better look at the inside, though, with the eTransporter getting a standard-fit 12-inch digital instrument cluster, as well as a 13-inch touchscreen featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

Bodystyles and length configurations for the eTransporter are yet to be confirmed, although we know the standard wheelbase model now boasts a load capacity of up to 5.8 cubic metres. Payload capacity on diesel models has a maximum of 1.3 tonnes, however, the electric model is expected to be slightly less; Ford quotes a maximum of 886kg for the E-Transit Custom. Also like the Ford, the VW eTransporter is expected to be able to tow braked trailers weighing up to two tonnes.

The Volkswagen eTransporter goes on sale in mainland Europe before it arrives in the UK; we expect it to arrive on this side of the Channel in 2025. Volkswagen is yet to announce pricing, but you can bet the eTransporter will demand a higher price tag than the £44,680 (exc. VAT) E-Transit.