Skip advert
Advertisement

Electric Van of the Year 2025: Renault Master E-Tech

The Renault Master E-Tech is the 2025 Auto Express Electric Van of the Year, with the Ford E-Transit Courier and Ford E-Transit Custom commended

Electric Van of the Year 2025: Renault Master E-Tech

As well as shaking up the electric-car class with models such as the Renault 5 and Renault 4, Renault is putting its stamp on the commercial sector with a wave of EVs. The all-new Master E-Tech is the first of a number of models that are on the way, and it shows plenty of promise for what’s to come.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The ground-up overhaul of the Master E-Tech introduces an 87kWh battery that delivers a range of up to 285 miles, and this is connected to a flexible 138bhp electric powertrain for quick responses. That range is achieved courtesy of an aerodynamic body (including a subtly curving rear roofline that doesn’t restrict cargo volume) and the latest energy-recovery systems on board.

There’s fast charging, with a 130kW maximum available; this can add 30 miles of range in six minutes, or take the battery from empty to fully charged in just over an hour. Connected services allow you to monitor and pay for charging, too.

All of this tech doesn’t come at the expense of practicality. There are two lengths of panel van offering up to 13 cubic metres of space, while Renault  offers chassis and platform-cab versions of the Master E-Tech ready for conversion, so there’s no compromise if you need a bespoke EV. With so much versatility, the Master sets a template for the future electric Renault range that will make the firm a strong contender in commercial vehicles.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Our Find A Car service has the best deals out there on a new car from stock or top prices on used cars...

Our choice

  • Renault Master e-Tech MM35 Advance (£47,100 ex.VAT, after PiVG)
Advertisement - Article continues below

There’s no real ‘best’ version in the Master electric line-up because varying use cases require different specs. But you can’t go wrong with the standard model. It comes with the 10-inch touchscreen system, rear parking sensors and a vast cargo area to match the van’s long range. If  possible, we’d choose the reversing camera for extra peace of mind.

Commended

Ford E-Transit Courier

Last year’s Van of the Year has been bolstered by the addition of an all-electric powertrain, which brings zero-emissions running and a range of up to 181 miles. It’s Ford’s smallest van, but a 2.9-cubic-metre cargo area offers lots  of versatility in a compact package.

Ford E-Transit Custom

Adding electric drive does nothing to spoil one of the Transit Custom's key strengths, because the EV is as good to drive as any other variant. Add in the versatile and spacious cargo area and neat tech, such as the Pro Power adapter for tools, and it’s a strong contender.

See all the winners...

Click on the gallery below to see all the winners of our 2025 New Car Awards...

You can find all the information on our New Car Awards 2025 winners and the reasons why we chose them on the pages below. Just follow the links to read more…

New Car Awards 2025: the winners

Special edition of Auto Express

Auto Express Issue 1,889

For the full New Car Awards experience, make sure you pick up a copy of our special 2025 New Car Awards collectors' edition of the Auto Express magazine, which is available in shops now.

Subscribe to Auto Express magazine

You can buy individual issues of Auto Express or subscribe for even bigger discounts on the print magazine cover price. You can also subscribe or download individual issues of our digital edition direct to your desktop, phone or tablet as well.

Stay right up to date with the latest from the world of cars in 2025 and beyond, subscribe to our email newsletter and follow us on social media...

Great leasing deals on other Renault models

Renault Clio
Renault Captur
Renault Rafale
Skip advert
Advertisement
Senior test editor

Dean has been part of the Auto Express team for more than 20 years, and has worked across nearly all departments, starting on magazine production, then moving to road tests and reviews. He's our resident van expert, but covers everything from scooters and motorbikes to supercars and consumer products.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best electric vans 2026
Best electric vans - header image, March 2026

Best electric vans 2026

We reveal the best electric vans to buy or lease in the UK right now
Best cars & vans
26 Mar 2026
Best large panel vans 2026
Best large vans - header image

Best large panel vans 2026

Pick the right large panel van and you'll have a machine that can do all sorts of jobs
Best cars & vans
22 Jul 2025
Say au revoir to hotels with the Renault Master Ahorn Camp campervan
Renault Master Ahorn Camp campervans - front

Say au revoir to hotels with the Renault Master Ahorn Camp campervan

The official Renault Master motorhome and camper conversion will go on sale just in time to catch the end of summer
News
8 Jul 2025
Our New Car Awards winners prove many great models are now more affordable than ever
Opinion - NCA Fiat Grande Panda

Our New Car Awards winners prove many great models are now more affordable than ever

With many of our award winners costing less than £36k, Mike Rutherford wonders why anybody would consider more expensive rivals that just aren’t as go…
Opinion
3 Jul 2025

Most Popular

Electric car charging costs review launched by government
Electric car charging mega test - charging overhead

Electric car charging costs review launched by government

Government report to address concerns over long-term cost of EV charging
News
10 Jun 2026
Best cars to own: Driver Power 2026 results
Driver Power 2026 header

Best cars to own: Driver Power 2026 results

The winners and losers in the UK's biggest automotive consumer survey. It’s the 2026 Driver Power results
News
10 Jun 2026
Car Deal of the Day: Big-battery Vauxhall Frontera for a low £135 a month
Vauxhall Frontera Electric UK - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: Big-battery Vauxhall Frontera for a low £135 a month

The Vauxhall Frontera Electric is a lot of car for not much cash. It’s our Deal of the Day for 10 June.
News
10 Jun 2026

Find a car with the experts