European van conversion specialist Voltia has expanded its e-LCV portfolio with five new XL models.
Said to bring unprecedented cargo space and the lowest cost per m3 among e-LCVs, the new models are converted versions of the Peugeot e-Expert, Citroën ë-Jumpy/ ë-Dispatch, Vauxhall/Opel Vivaro-e and the co-developed Toyota Proace (due next year).
The vehicles, which will have a volume of 11m3, will be produced in Slovakia initially and later also in the UK, France and Germany.
The conversions will be offered with both size batteries available in the Stellantis models; the 50kWh pack has an official 200km (124-mile) WLTP range while the 75kWh is up to 280km (174 miles).
Payloads will be in the range of 800 to 1,000kg and Voltia also says the vans will deliver an 83% reduction in fuel costs per km and 40-50% lower maintenance costs. The battery is guaranteed for 8 years or 160,000km.
The new conversions are expected to prove popular with the courier sector; Voltia says the average courier driver delivers 150-200 parcels per day and looks for 8 and 12m3 cargo volume for the ideal vehicle.
“We think the Stellantis eK0 platform we choose has a huge potential. In addition, it is excellent for delivering goods in cities. We are thus responding to the increased requirements of companies in the post-pandemic period, easy movement in the van even for a standing person. Moreover, with the price, we got below €3,500 per m3. The total monthly operating costs are then the same or even lower than for diesel,” said Juraj Ulehla, Voltia’s CEO.
The new models will complement Voltia’s previously produced models which have a volume of 6, 8 and 10m3.
Voltia also offers its e-NV200 XL conversion, which is part of the official Nissan line-up, but Nissan is gradually reducing production of the van as it ramps up for the Townstar replacement.
As a guideline, the price for the new Voltia XL line-up in Slovakia, not including subsides, starts at €35,950 (c.£30,310).
“We plan to produce the mentioned Stellantis models in new premises in Nitra, which are undergoing a demanding reconstruction. The production will be intended for the whole of Europe, in contrast to Trnava, which supplies only Central and Eastern Europe with its vehicles. If necessary, we are ready added expand our capacities next year with foreign partners in the UK, France, and Germany,” added Juraj Ulehla.
