EFFICIENCY - DISPATCHED (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

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

Ten Second Reviewword count: 53

Citroen's e-Dispatch is the French brand's interpretation of the mid-sized full-electric design shared by other Stellantis Group models. Here though, it's backed by a particularly proactive van dealer network which tends to be particularly competitive on price. If the resulting asking figure stacks up for you, then this battery-powered mid-sized van might too.

Backgroundword count: 120

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.

Driving Experienceword count: 194

Like its Peugeot, Fiat, Vauxhall and Toyota counterparts, the e-Dispatch comes with a choice of batteries. The smaller of the two has 50kWh and won't take you very far - up to 148 miles combined, or up to 196 miles in the city. With the pricier 75kWh battery fitted to your e-Dispatch van, there's a 211 mile combined range, which rises to 267 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.

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