Citroen's improved e-Dispatch ticks plenty of boxes if you're seeking a mid-sized electric LCV, as Jonathan Crouch discovers.

Background

The mid-sized electric van market is evolving quickly, but it took its first step forward in 2021 with the launch of the shared design that Citroen markets as the e-Dispatch. You can also have it as a Peugeot e-Expert, a Vauxhall Vivaro Electric, a Fiat E-Scudo or a Toyota Proace Electric. If you've already experience with Citroen models in your business fleet though, it might be to this e-Dispatch that you turn first if you've decided that your company needs to add a mid-sized electric LCV is to its operations. Unlike the larger e-Relay, the e-Dispatch is built directly by Citroen. You'll be pleased to find that the load bay has no significant space compromises over the alternative diesel version. Here, we look at the improved 75kWh battery-only facelifted version of this model that was launched in early 2024.

Driving Experience

Like its Peugeot, Fiat, Vauxhall and Toyota counterparts, the e-Dispatch now only comes with a 75kWh battery. This will now take you up to 217 miles, 6 miles more than the equivalent pre-facelift model could manage. Expect this to rise to around 273 miles in the city. There's not to much to adjust to when driving this full-electric mid-sized van. Turn the key in the ignition, then wait for the starting beep, then flick the gear toggle into Drive. There's a drive-mode selector that allows you to switch between 'Eco', 'Normal' and 'Sport' modes. The 'Normal' setting restricts you to 109hp and will feel a bit like driving a lower capacity diesel. 'Eco' mode restricts you further to 81.5hp and reduces the power consumption of the air conditioning and other accessories. If you want the full 136hp of the electric motor, selecting 'Sport' mode unlocks it. There's also a gearshift selector 'B' option that ploughs extra regenerated energy back into the battery, offering more resistance while you're slowing down. Top speed is just 84mph.

Design and Build

Apart from the charging flap and the badge work, there's little to set this full-electric Dispatch apart from its diesel-engined stablemates. As with the combustion models, there's a choice of short wheelbase M or long wheelbase XL variants, but Citroen doesn't offer a high roof option with either powertrain. This facelifted Dispatch model features a fresh front-end design with an 'optimised' bumper for enhanced aerodynamics, plus redesigned LED headlamps and a restyled radiator grille that incorporates the brand's latest visual signature. On the sides of the vehicle, smarter wheel colours complete the revised look Inside, it's all pretty identical to the Dispatch diesel, though in place of the rev counter, you get an energy gauge for the battery. The gear lever meanwhile, gets replaced by a drive selector for switching between the various driving modes. A fuel gauge is provided but of course the purpose here is to show the remaining battery capacity. The water temperature gauge from the diesel Dispatch is replaced by one showing energy consumption by the climate control system. The redesigned dashboard of this facelifted model features an elegant new design, but it's also more practical. The size of existing storage compartments has been increased and new ones have been added, meaning that Dispatch can better act as an extension of the office. The steering wheel is now smarter too, with integrated controls for key features, such as driving aids, telephone, and multimedia. The now-larger 10-inch centre infotainment screen has a Power Flow option which shows you at any given time what's being powered by what. There's quite a low seating position (for a van), with plenty of seat and wheel adjustment. As usual in this class, a three-person bench seat is fitted and with pricier trim (or as an option), there's a Moduwork bulkhead flap so that longer items can be pushed through from the cargo area. That set-up comes together with a fold-down section for the centre seat that when flattened, doubles as a work surface.

Market and Model

As with other Stellantis Group mid-sized EV vans, e-Dispatch LCV pricing starts at around £36,000 (exc VAT and OTR charges) after deduction of the £5,000 Government Plug-in Van Grant and this LCV is available in 'M' standard wheelbase or (for about £800 more) in 'XL' long wheelbase forms. There's a choice of two trim levels - 'Enterprise' or plusher 'Driver'. All use the same 75kWh battery. There are also Crew Cab 'M' and 'XL' models with extra rear seating, available with both trim levels at prices (after grant deduction) starting from around £36,000. 'Enterprise' versions feature a premium Mistral Black dashboard and full 10-inch LED instrument cluster, plus an ergonomic six-way driver's seat with lumbar support and an arm rest. The updated 'My Citroen Play Plus' infotainment system includes a 10-inch HD central touchscreen, Mirror Screen technology with AppleCarPlay and Android Auto, steering wheel controls and a range of safety technology and driver assistance systems including Intelligent Speed Assist, Lane Keeping Assist and Driver Attention Alert. Plusher 'Driver' variants add the brand's 'Dynamic Surround View' system, a reversing camera with 'Top Rear Vision', a blind spot assistant and 'Front Park Assist', in addition to design cues including body-colour exterior finishing, 17-inch wheel trims and front fog lights. 'Driver' versions get 'My Citroen Drive Plus' 3D navigation built into the 10-inch HD central touchscreen (an option on 'Enterprise' trim). This takes account of traffic conditions in real-time.

Practicalities and Costs

As with the other versions of this design, the EV drivetrain doesn't affect the cargo area. Carriage capacity is unchanged over an ordinary diesel Dispatch, at 5.3 m³ for the M version and 6.1 m³ for the long wheelbase XL. The only practical area where you really suffer with the electric model is in terms of maximum payload, which will be around 200kg down on what you'd get from the diesel. The payload is 1,226kg in the M and 1,000kg in the XL. Predictably, you won't be able to tow as much with an electric Dispatch as with a diesel one, but (unlike some rivals) at least it can tow - up to 1,000kgs. We gave you the driving range figure in our 'Driving' section - 217 miles for the remaining 75kWh variant, 6 miles more than the equivalent pre-facelift model. Using a 7.4kW AC charger, the 75kWh battery can be fully charged in 11 hours and 20 minutes. Using an 11kW AC charger, the battery can be fully charged in 7 hours and 30 minutes. Using a 100kW DC rapid charger, it only takes 45 minutes to charge the battery from 0 to 80%. A 13amp Type2 cable in a domestic socket will give you six miles of range per hour - and will need around 36 hours for a full charge. The cost savings versus diesel model won't of course be as great as they used to be but they should still be substantial. At this vehicle's original launch before the electricity crisis, Citroen reckoned that an operator would save around £100 a month compared to a 2.0-litre diesel Dispatch, based on covering 40 miles a day. Servicing costs will be lower as well, there's no road tax, Benefit-in-Kind tax is levied at 60% of the normal van rate and the e-Dispatch is exempt from the London Congestion Charge.

Summary

There won't be too many changes to make if you swap out a diesel-powered mid-sized van for an e-Dispatch. Like its identically-engineered Peugeot, Vauxhall, Fiat and Toyota counterparts, this is a very complete product, hobbled only by limitations with payload and the usual high EV pricing. Driving range still isn't as impressive as with a rival Ford Transit E-Custom, but otherwise it matches the prevailing class standard. And Citroen van dealers tend to be receptive to the particular needs of LCV customers. Of course that's not going to sway you if you were to be offered a differently-badged version of this same design at a significantly cheaper price. But Citroen franchises aren't often undercut in that way. And if so, this e-Dispatch is well worth a look.