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By Jonathan Crouch

The Renault ZOE Van is the market's only really small LCV. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 45

Renault's ZOE van is a small LCV with a long driving range from a full electric powertrain. It's the kind of urban delivery vehicle we ought to be seeing more of by now, but for the time being, it's the only one of its kind.

Backgroundword count: 127

Electric vans are generally large and their operating ranges are generally small. Enter Renault with an LCV that shows others how it should be done. As it happens, the ZOE Van is amongst the smallest commercial vehicles on the market - and certainly the smallest electric one. Yet it can go up to 245 miles between charges - around twice as far as most large sector battery EVs. You can't take much inside of course - this is basically just a version of the ZOE supermini with the rear seat taken out. But if you're urban-based - say a courier or a flower seller - and want this vehicle for small short hop deliveries, that might not matter. Let's take a look at what's on offer here.

Driving Experienceword count: 198

There's enough zip here to get you quickly around town. Despite the fact that the ZOE Van uses the older 80kW R110 motor that used to be used in all versions of the ordinary hatch (and still continues in baseline variants): rather than the latest top ZOE supermini's improved 100kW R135 electric motor. Still, the 107hp you get here is quite enough for town use. The 87mph top speed is inevitably a lot less impressive, but this Renault charges up towards it with a level of zeal that will decimate the WLTP-rated 245 mile driving range possible from the E.V.50 battery. You can maximise frugality by regularly activating the provided Eco-meter (which restricts throttle output); and by selecting an extra 'B' setting now provided for the single-speed auto gearbox, which maximises regenerative energy harvesting, enhancing engine braking so much that you'll hardly ever need to use the brake. Refinement is superb; ride quality a little less so, though it does improve at highway speeds. Handling is geared to comfort and urban use; you won't want to be throwing this van around country lanes at higher speeds, despite the notably low centre of gravity enabled by its heavy battery.

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