Powerful, practical and popular: utes are a dominant feature on New Zealand’s roads, whether you’re in the country or the city. And vans are the workhorses of our light industries, doing the hard yards across our cities for the trades, delivery and cargo.

Traditionally these vehicles have had relatively high emissions, and with feebates now applying to most utes and many vans, there’s now a much stronger appetite for electrified light commercial options. The first electric ute is due to arrive later this year (more below) but we already have four choices for anyone in the market for an electric van:

The LDV eDeliver 3 and eDeliver 9

LDV has been a leader in electric light commercial, and the eDeliver 3 has been available since 2020. It’s an entry-level battery-electric van that can carry up to 900kg and is priced from $63,538 including GST, which helps explain why an impressive 74 had already sold in the first five months of 2022. The 52.5kWh electric battery will give you a 344km range from a single charge, and in DC mode you can charge the eDeliver 3 battery from 5% to 80% in 45 minutes.

The eDeliver 9 is the big brother to the 3, with three battery options up to 88.5kWh, which produces a range of 353km and can charge to 80% in 40 minutes. There’s a short-wheel base, long-wheel base and cab chassis option, and new eDeliver 9 vans come with a three-year or 100,000km warranty and an eight-year or 160,000km battery warranty (whichever comes first). Prices start from $75,990 including GST.

Renault Kangoo EV

Europe’s best-selling electric van, the Kangoo can carry up to 4 cubic metres or 620kg. Because its automatic gearbox means no changing gear, the Kangoo is a super-comfortable drive in the light commercial class. Specifications also include rear parking sensors, cruise control and an impressive range of safety features.

It’s 33kWh battery has a range of 230km – as well as a five-year warranty. The Kangoo is priced from $74,990 including GST and is eligible for a Clean Car Discount of up to $8,625.

Ford Transit Custom PHEV

The Transit van has long been a trusted workhorse for local businesses, and the new Custom Transit plug-in electric hybrid continues in that tradition. Its 13.6kWh battery takes around three hours to charge and provides a pure electric driving range of up to 41kms and more than 500km total range using the 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine range extender. The 4.3 cubic metre load space means you have plenty of room in the back and the range of comfort and safety features make this a versatile commercial vehicle for a wide range of industries.

Priced from $89,990 including GST, and in the first five months of this year 21 Transit PHEVs were sold.

When will EV utes arrive in New Zealand?

Utes are among New Zealand’s most popular vehicles, and interest in low-emissions options has been at an all-time high since the feebates came into effect.

So far demand is outstripping supply, but one manufacturer is already taking orders. LDV will be first to market: you can already put down a (refundable) deposit for the EVT60 that’s set to arrive in a few months’ time. According to LDV, this full electric ute will have a range of around 325km from a single charge, with a one-tonne towing capacity. Prices aren’t yet available but early indications are that at least one model will qualify for a clean car rebate.

Perhaps more appealing to the wider market will be the hybrid version of the Toyota Hilux, one of New Zealand’s best-selling vehicles, although Toyota has indicated this won’t be available locally until 2023.

As for another top-selling model, the Ford Ranger, it seems a PHEV version is being tested internationally, but we don’t know when it will arrive on our shores. The fully electric F150 Lightning went into production in April, set to be released soon in the US. But Ford already has over 160,000 pre-orders and has closed retail orders for this year, so you could be waiting a while.

Supply should increase rapidly

With so much interest in electric vehicles of all kinds, from markets across the globe, manufacturers are pushing hard to get BEV and PHEV utes and vans into the hands of consumers.

Production is being hampered by supply chain difficulties, and New Zealand will be low on the list of markets for launch, but over time it seems a certainty that electric utes and vans will become standard for all light commercial traffic.

We’ll keep you updated as more electric light commercial vehicles arrive in the market.