New all-electric Citroen e-Dispatch van revealed

Citroen has unveiled an all-electric version of its mid-sized Dispatch panel van. It’s called the e-Dispatch – and it’ll go on sale in the UK during the second half of 2020, joining the Peugeot e-Expert and Vauxhall Vivaro-e in the PSA Group’s all-electric commercial vehicle line-up. 

The Citroen e-Dispatch is based on the same EMP2 platform as normal Dispatch models, and it’s powered by the electric motor found in the Peugeot e-208 and Vauxhall e-Corsa superminis, which develops 134bhp and 260Nm of torque. Citroen says the electric powertrain allows the e-Dispatch to haul a maximum payload of 1,275kg, at a top speed of 80mph.

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Buyers will have the choice of two battery packs – an entry-level 50kWh unit which provides a maximum WLTP range of 143 miles, or a larger 75kWh unit which bumps the e-Dispatch’s range up to 205 miles. When plugged into a domestic 7.4kW wallbox charger, the former unit takes less than eight hours to recharge, with the latter taking around 11 hours.

In addition, both models offer support for 100kW fast-charging, which allows the 50kWh unit to recover an 80 percent charge in around 30 minutes. Citroen says its 75kWh battery pack can achieve the same state of charge in roughly 45 minutes using the same system.

New 2020 Citroen e-Dispatch: body and chassis configurations

Like the combustion-engined Dispatch, the e-Dispatch is available in three body styles – XS, M and XL. The smallest option has a maximum storage volume of 4.6 cubic metres, while the largest boasts a capacity of 6.6 cubic metres. In addition, all models have a 1.25-metre wide load bay, which is broad enough for the Euro-pallet standard.

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Two chassis setups will also be available. Citroen’s Worker variant is designed for use on construction sites and features raised suspension, underbody protection panels and a special traction control setup called Grip Control. Meanwhile, the brand’s Driver specification is aimed at delivery workers on the road, and adds a range of driver assistance technology and extra sound dampening.

New 2020 Citroen e-Dispatch: trim-levels

The Citroen e-Dispatch will be available in three trim-levels – X, Enterprise and Driver. The entry-level model will come as standard with Bluetooth connectivity, an electric parking brake and electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors.

Citroen’s mid-range Enterprise model includes rear parking sensors, air-conditioning, automatic headlamps and wipers, an alarm system and a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system with support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The flagship Driver variant features all the equipment of the Enterprise variant, but adds 17-inch alloy wheels, sat-nav, a 180-degree parking camera, front parking sensors, a blind spot monitoring system and a host of safety equipment such as lane departure warning, active safety braking and a speed limit recognition system. Prices will be revealed shortly. 

What do you make of the Citroen e-Dispatch? Let us know in the comments section below…