This award recognises the manufacturer of Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) that can demonstrate innovative thinking in its design and production of zero-emission vans, and can illustrate a focus on sustainability in its manufacturing processes.
2023 Winner: IVECO
IVECO’s star launch in 2023 is its new eDaily which offers class-leading advantages in towing capability and battery options due to a modular battery set-up. The eDaily is a comprehensive family of panel and window vans, chassis cabs/cowls, and minibuses from 3.5t to 7.2t GVW. A choice of one (37kWh), two (74kWh) or three (111kWh) batteries means an operator can add or remove batteries or swap a unit between vehicles should a vehicle mission change. Official WLTP combined cycle ranges start at 64 miles for the 3.5t, 37kWh single-battery model, through to 186 miles for the 111kWh, three-battery 4.25t variant. Every model includes the eSTART connectivity package for a four-year period, allowing fleet managers to monitor and manage vehicle downtime and plan routes, and precondition batteries. New fleet deals have been signed, one with the Petit Forestier Group, which has signed a Memorandum of Understanding for 2,000 eDaily chassis cabs that will be converted by its subsidiary Lecapitaine.
Commended
Maxus / Harris Automotive Distributors
Mercedes-Benz Vans UK
Vauxhall
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles
Renault Pro+
2022 Winner: Maxus UK
Since June 2020, Maxus has launched three eLCVs to market, the T90EV, an electric commercial pickup, plus two electric commercial vans, the eDeliver 3 and eDeliver 9. The eDeliver 3 is a small van with an impressive range of 151 miles (combined) on a single charge, with a 92KW motor and a 50.23kWh battery. The larger eDeliver 9 clocks up to 219 miles on a single charge (city). With a 150kW low energy motor, the all-new platform EV offers 51.5, 72 and 88.55kWh battery options. The new 3,300kg RWD T90EV has a range of 220 miles (WLTP, combined) from its 88.55kWh battery and 150kW motor, and a payload of 1-tonne. In 2022, Maxus launched a multi-million EV Support Programme to encourage and support fleet buyers to switch to electric motoring. To incentivise the switch to electric, 2000 eDeliver 9 vans have been subsidised.
Highly Commended
Citroën
Ford Pro
Iveco
Peugeot
Renault
Toyota
Vauxhall
2021 Winner: Vauxhall
Commended
Citroën
Fiat Professional
Ford
Peugeot
Renault PRO+
Volkswagen
MAXUS (Harris Automotive Distributors)
2020 Winner: Maxus UK
2019 Winner: LDV
There is still one manufacturer that boasts an all-electric 3.5-tonne chassis that can come as a panel van, a tipper and even a wheelchair-accessible minibus, and 2019 has seen it become what is surely one of the biggest ever single orders of all-electric vans in the UK, with more that 90 already active in a single fleet, and that will grow to more than 150 next month. This year they launched a smaller van capable of 200 miles on a single charge, and this is set to change the game in the clean, small van segment.
Commended
Renault
Nissan
Ford
2018 Winner: LDV
Available in Panel Van, Tipper & Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle variations, the EV80 has established itself as the van of choice for environmentally-conscious drivers. It is already being trialled by IKEA, Royal Mail, Northern Gas Networks and National Grid, whose fleet criteria is among the most stringent in the sector. LDV has grown a dealer network across the country that delivers a dedicated service to fleet and business customers from more than 30 centres. and the majority of these operate a 24-hour service.
Commended
Renault – Kangoo ZE
The Kangoo Z.E. continues impressive sales gains. Last year, a new motor and battery package was introduced that increased the model’s driving range by more than 50 per cent, giving the Kangoo ZE a real world range of around 124 miles on a single charge. A new 32 amp charger means charging time from 0 to 100 per cent is reduced to six hours, while its payload of up to 640kg remains unchanged.
Nissan – eNV200
Under the new Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) homologation procedure, the upgraded Nissan e-NV200’s advanced 40kWh battery delivers 124 miles of range on the Combined Cycle and up to 187 miles on the Urban City Cycle - a 60 per cent range improvement over the previous generation. An excellent cargo capacity and payload allows up to 705 kg for the panel van version.
Peugeot – e-Partner
The Peugeot Partner L2 Electric can be recharged from 0-80 per cent in around half an hour on a rapid point, with a 22.5 kWh battery keeping non-rapid charging times relatively low. Powered by a 49kW electric motor, it can carry a gross payload of 552kg. A deal with Royal Mail saw Peugeot deliver the largest single purchases of electric vehicles in the country, with the vans entering service in December last year, supported by a roll-out of charging infrastructure.
Iveco – ECODaily
The launch of the Daily Blue Power range saw IVECO offer a choice between three technologies. The Daily Hi-Matic Natural Power is the first CNG-powered vehicle with an 8-speed automatic gearbox; the Daily Electric is a zero-emissions vehicle that enables operation in cities with the strictest vehicle emissions restrictions, and; the Daily Euro 6 RDE Ready is the first LCV ready for 2020 Real Driving Emissions regulations.
Ford – Transit Custom PHEV
With the debut of the Transit Custom PHEV at the IAA Commercial Vehicle show in Hannover, Germany, Ford becomes the first automaker to apply PHEV technology to a van at scale. It will offer zero-emissions driving for up to 31 miles and will deliver a maximum range of 310 miles thanks to the 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine. Charging can be completed in five hours using a 240-volt, 10-amp power supply and just three hours with a 16- or 32-amp supply.
2017 Winner: LDV
LDV’s all-electric EV80 is a prime example of an ultra-low-emission commercial vehicle, with its 130-mile, single-charge range. Its first full-electric panel van can be fully charged in only two hours and has an interactive high-tech integrated dashboard system. It also has a high-capacity 56kWh lithium-ion phosphate battery and intelligent switching between its three power modes to provide a smooth driving experience.
Commended
Citroën
Citroën has a range of four models in its commercial range, from the small Nemo and Berlingo, through to the medium-sized Dispatch and the large Relay. The all-electric Berlingo Electric L1 635 LX offers a 636kg payload and a carrying capacity of 3.3m3. The 49kW permanent magnet synchronous electric motor and 22.5kWh lithium‑ion battery pack drivetrain gives the Berlingo an official range of up to 106 miles..
Fiat Professional
While the Fullback pick-up and new Fullback Cross offer practicality, the Fiorino city van, the small Doblo, the medium-sized Talento, and the larger Ducato mean there is a Fiat Professional LCV for everyone. The Talento has a roomy interior and is suited to LCV operators looking for a spacious model. All Fiat Professional LCVs meet Euro 6 standards, while in Europe natural gas versions of selected models are also available.
Nissan
The all-electric e-NV200 van has a range of 174 miles on a single charge, and can help make 100 per cent electric last-mile delivery achievable for businesses. With no combustion engine or traditional transmissions, mainteance costs are low.. A passenger-carrying ‘combi’ version is also available. Elsewhere in Nissan’s commercial vehicle range, the NV300 and NV400 offer mid and large-size van solutions.
Ford
With seven commercial vehicles under its belt, Ford’s Transit Courier is both practical and efficient in a compact package. Its 1.0-litre 3-cylinder Ford EcoBoost petrol engine gives the same power expected from a conventional 1.6, and has 24 per cent better fuel economy with 25 per cent lower emissions. The ever-popular Transit also offers greater performance with fewer emissions.
Peugeot
The Peugeot Bipper Van, with fuel economy of up to 64.2mpg, is one the most compact utility van within the range and is adapted for the needs of the city. It also has CO2 emissions from 108g/km and fuel economy up to 68.9mpg. Also in the line-up is the Tepee Electric, featuring an electric drivetrain that offers great performance and a range of 106 miles from one charge (NEDC).
Iveco
The Daily Blue Power range offers a sustainable solution for urban transport. On offer is the new Daily Euro 6 RDE Ready, the first verified LCV for Real Driving Emissions; the new Daily Hi-Matic Natural Power with the class-exclusive 8-speed automatic transmission and gas powertrain; and the Daily Electric, the zero-emissions van, chassis cab, or minibus with up to 174 miles of range.
2016 Winner: Renault
Renault’s LCV market share for the first half of 2016 was up one percentage point on the same period in 2015. That itself was a record, but a particular success story was sales of the Trafic van, which has proved as popular as ever with business users across the UK with 8,722 of the third generation model being sold in the first half of 2016 – almost 40 per cent up on the last year.
Commended
Mitsubishi
Halfway through this year, sales of Mitsubishi’s light commercial offerings were showing an increase, with the Outlander PHEV standing as the Britain’s best selling plug-in hybrid, having sold over 25,000 units in the UK since 2014. Additionally, this year Mitsubishi unveiled the fifth generation of its L200 pickup truck, which features best in class load capacity of 4090kg, is capable of over 700 miles on a single tank and can tow another three tonnes behind it. Fuel economy is measured at 42.8mpg, with emissions starting from 169g/km
Peugeot
Peugeot’s second quarter reported excellent sales of the Partner, and with the 47-model all-new Expert LCV range becoming available in June, end of year figures should look strong. The new Expert brings innovative features such as hands-free sliding side doors, Active Safety Brakes, rear-view camera and VisioPark. The Boxer is now available with a range of 2.0-litre BlueHDi diesel engines.
Fiat Professional
After being completely refreshed in the last two years, Fiat Professional’s latest range is capable of responding to all professional needs by covering 97 per cent of the market. The new Ducato is equipped with a Euro-6 engine and is now available with a nine-passenger people mover that represents an important step taken towards the minibus segment.
Nissan
With the addition of the new NV300, Nissan has one of the widest commercial vehicle ranges on the market. As the eagerly anticipated replacement for the Primastar, the NV300 sits between NV200/e-NV200 and NV400 and has been designed to provide business users with a versatile ‘mobile office’ environment. For bespoke needs, the floor cab provides a suitable base for conversions. A range of efficient technologies combine to present an impressive mid sized option.
LDV
LDV has returned to the UK with the EV80, an all-electric van that promises a 215-mile range, combined with city-friendly zero local emissions. It packs a 75 kWh lithium-ion phosphate battery and comes in a choice of short and long wheelbase panel van configurations and a custom-built chassis cab option. China’s first all-electric van made its debut at the Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham.
2015 Winner: Nissan
2015 has seen this year’s winner prove that LCV operators now have a credible option that can stand-up to the day-to-day demands placed upon a working van, and at the same time put a massive tick in the environmental box. By using proven technology taken from the world’s best-selling electric.
Commended
Citroen
Ford
Fiat Professional
Peugeot