Volkswagen e-Transporter panel van (2026) review

Introduction

The Volkswagen Transporter has a long and storied past, but this new e-Transporter probably marks the most fundamental shift in the model’s history.

For the first time, the Transporter is offered from launch as either a diesel-powered van or a fully electric model, and it does so on a platform developed by Ford, sharing its underlying architecture and much of its technology with the Transit Custom.

It’s part of the continuing agreement between the two manufacturers, which has seen Volkswagen take the Ranger and Transit Custom and turn them into the Amarok and Transporter, while Ford has taken the Caddy and badged it as a Transit Connect.

In the case of the e-Transporter, both vans are built alongside one another in Turkey, emerging from the same production line with near-identical mechanical foundations.

Volkswagen has made a concerted effort to preserve its own identity, though, with a distinctive exterior design, unique interior detailing and a trim structure designed to appeal to existing Transporter buyers.

The question is whether this new electric Transporter can hold its own against rivals such as the Mercedes-Benz eVito, Farizon SV, Peugeot e-Expert, Vauxhall Vivaro Electric and Toyota Proace Electric — or whether it simply mirrors the E-Transit Custom too closely for comfort.

Key Features

The Volkswagen e-Transporter combines a 65kWh battery with a choice of 136hp or 218hp electric motors, delivering smooth, rear-wheel-drive performance and a real-world range of up to 180 miles. Fast charging capability and built-in charge scheduling make it easy to integrate into everyday working life, while features such as pre-conditioning allow the cabin to be warmed or cooled while the van is still plugged in.

Inside, the e-Transporter benefits from a modern digital cockpit with a 13-inch infotainment touchscreen and 12-inch instrument display as standard, alongside wireless smartphone connectivity and a well-thought-out driving position. Practicality remains a strong point, with load volumes of up to 6.8m³, payloads of just over a tonne, and a towing capacity of up to 2,300kg. All models are backed by Volkswagen’s 5+ Promise, five-star Euro NCAP safety rating and an eight-year battery warranty, reinforcing its appeal as a serious working electric van.

Performance & Drive

The Volkswagen e-Transporter delivers exactly what you’d expect from a modern electric medium van. It makes smooth, quiet progress with reassuring composure on the road. And, as with the diesel Transporter, the driving experience owes much to its shared engineering with the Ford E-Transit Custom, which remains one of the most accomplished vans in the class.

Steering is light and lacks any real feedback, but it’s accurate, which makes the e-Transporter easy to place in tight urban environments, while the suspension strikes a pretty well-judged balance between comfort and control. Even on broken city roads, it remains settled, and at higher speeds it feels stable and confidence-inspiring.

There are two electric motor outputs to pick from: a 136hp version aimed squarely at urban fleets, and a more powerful 218hp option for those carrying heavier loads or spending more time on the UK’s motorways. Both are powered by a 65kWh battery, and thanks to the complete lack of a gearbox and instant torque from the electric motor, there’s seamless acceleration with no gear changes to interrupt progress.

The 218hp e-Transporter feels particularly brisk around town, with strong low-speed torque making junctions and roundabouts effortless, although you won’t be left wanting much with either option. Throttle response is deliberately progressive rather than sharp, helping to keep driving smooth and controlled — it’s electronically moderated if you get over-enthusiastic, which means that, despite being rear-wheel drive, donuts and drifting are off the menu! At cruising speeds, the van settles into a calm, refined stride, with very little noise intrusion.

Volkswagen quotes a WLTP range of up to 201 miles, though real-world figures of around 150–180 miles are more realistic depending on load, driving style and conditions. For most urban and regional duties, however, that should be more than sufficient, and the e-Transporter’s quiet, vibration-free nature makes it a far more relaxed companion than any diesel equivalent.

A plug-in hybrid option is expected to join the range soon, pairing a 2.5-litre petrol engine with an electric range of around 30–35 miles.

Running Costs

As an all-electric model, the Volkswagen e-Transporter inevitably carries a higher list price than a diesel option — like-for-like, it’s around £8,000 more than a diesel Transporter, before government grants kick in. Overall running costs should tell a more compelling story, though, particularly for urban operators able to take advantage of lower energy and maintenance costs.

Electricity costs will vary depending on charging strategy, but Volkswagen quotes a combined energy consumption of around 2.6–2.8 miles per kWh. For businesses charging primarily at depot or at home on off-peak tariffs — which can be as low as 7p per kWh, or around £4.50 for a full charge — this can translate into significantly lower day-to-day costs than a diesel-powered model. Public rapid charging is more expensive and not necessarily cheaper than diesel or petrol, but for predictable duty cycles, the e-Transporter is easy to budget for.

Maintenance costs should also be lower than a combustion-engined model. With fewer moving parts and no oil changes required, servicing is needed only every 24 months. That alone reduces downtime and helps smooth long-term operating costs.

Volkswagen’s impressive 5+ Promise remains a key part of the e-Transporter’s value proposition. The package includes the first three scheduled services, three MOT tests, five years of roadside assistance and a five-year, 124,000-mile vehicle warranty, all included in the purchase price.

No rival in this segment offers that level of bundled support as standard, although Toyota gets close with a 10-year or 100,000-mile service-activated warranty on its Proace Electric. Volkswagen also warranties its battery for eight years or 100,000 miles, guaranteeing at least 70% of its original capacity over that period.

Interior & Tech

The e-Transporter’s cab mirrors the layout of the diesel Transporter and, by extension, the Ford E-Transit Custom on which it’s based, but Volkswagen has made enough changes to give it a distinctly Wolfsburg feel. A bespoke steering wheel, revised (and surprisingly effective) cupholder layout, rubber-lined door bins and a covered glovebox on all trims lift perceived quality, even if the underlying architecture remains the same.

A 13.0-inch infotainment touchscreen and 12.0-inch digital instrument cluster are standard on all e-Transporter models. Both run Ford-based software, but Volkswagen’s reskinning is convincing, with clear fonts, familiar menus and strong integration of vehicle functions. The infotainment system is generally intuitive, helped by a permanent climate control bar, although the reliance on touchscreen inputs for heating and ventilation can be awkward if you’re wearing gloves.

Higher-spec Commerce Plus and Commerce Pro models add useful upgrades, including wireless phone charging, heated seats, and a broader suite of driver-assistance systems. Electric-specific features such as charge scheduling and pre-conditioning are neatly integrated into the system, too, allowing drivers to warm or cool the cabin while the van is still plugged in — in the depths of winter, that’s an essential feature!

The driving position is well judged, with a comfortable seat and good all-round visibility. Taller drivers may still find that seat travel could be more generous, but the flat floor makes cross-cab movement easy and reinforces the car-like feel. As with the diesel models, the e-Transporter benefits from a column-mounted drive selector, freeing up space between the seats and improving knee room.

Storage provision is also generous, with twin gloveboxes, deep door pockets and multiple USB ports — including additional high-power USB-C sockets on higher trims. The lack of an overhead shelf will frustrate some long-term Transporter owners, but overall, there’s no shortage of places to stash day-to-day items, and it remains more practical than its Stellantis-built rivals.

Payload & Practicality

This is where the e-Transporter has to prove that going electric doesn’t mean compromising on day-to-day usability, and, for the most part, it succeeds. Buyers can choose between short-wheelbase (5,050mm) and long-wheelbase (5,450mm) panel vans, with further body styles, including high-roof variants, scheduled to follow.

The load area is wider than in the previous-generation Transporter, making it easier to carry bulky items such as 8x4 sheets, while the long-wheelbase version offers just over three metres of usable load length. Load volumes start at 5.8m³ in the SWB and rise to 6.8m³ in the LWB, figures that put the e-Transporter firmly in the middle of the medium-van class.

Payload is inevitably lower than diesel equivalents due to the battery’s weight, but it remains respectable, with every panel van variant able to carry just over a tonne. While it can’t match the headline figures offered by vans like the Farizon SV, it still outperforms alternatives such as the Vauxhall Vivaro Electric and its Stellantis-built siblings, and the Mercedes-Benz eVito.

Access to the load bay is excellent. Wide-opening rear barn doors come as standard, while a top-hinged tailgate is available at no extra cost. A single sliding door is standard, with a second sliding door and electric-assisted doors available as options. The load floor is low and flat, helping to reduce strain during repeated loading and unloading.

Volkswagen offers a wide range of factory-fit load area options, including ply lining, load rails, additional tie-down points, 12-volt power outlets and high-output LED lighting. Integrated racking systems are also available, allowing the e-Transporter to be specified as a ready-to-work tool straight from the factory.

Towing capability is strong by electric van standards, with the e-Transporter rated to tow up to 2,300kg (braked). That makes it one of the more capable electric vans in the segment for operators who need to tow plant, trailers or equipment.

Safety

Safety equipment is strong across the eTransporter range, with a comprehensive suite of driver assistance systems fitted as standard. All models come with autonomous emergency braking, lane assist, and rear parking sensors.

Higher-grade models build on this with front and rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera, adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist, cross-traffic assist, oncoming vehicle braking, and swerve support, amongst other tech. Preparation for an alcohol ignition interlock is also included.

All that technology helped the eTransporter secure a five-star rating from the safety experts at Euro NCAP, placing it among the safest electric vans currently on sale.

Options

Step up from the entry-level Commerce model — a very fleet-friendly trim level — and you won’t be wanting to add too many options. LED matrix headlights are a game-changer for nighttime driving, but expensive at more than £1,200. A connectivity package that adds up to five more USB-C sockets will keep a three-person van happy on long journeys for less than £100.

More practical options include folding roof rails at around £500, a range of cargo area lining options, or a second sliding door for £560. And, of course, there’s an array of paint colours (four solid colours at no cost and five metallic options for £650) and countless wheel and tyre combos.

Rival Vans

The Ford E-Transit Custom is the headline rival, and not only because it shares everything from the chassis and suspension to the motor and battery pack. The Transit Custom is the best-selling van in the UK, and with good reason, but any strengths or weaknesses you can find in the e-Transporter will be found there too. If it’s the right van, pick the dealer network, warranty support, and price tag that work best for you.

The Vauxhall Vivaro is probably the next best-known van in the segment, but it’s showing its age now. The electric model, cunningly called Electric, isn’t a bad conversion, but it’s a little smaller than its rivals, can carry less weight, and isn’t as refined. That said, if you get a good deal, or one of the mechanically identical Citroen e-Dispatch, Fiat E-Scudo, Peugeot E-Expert or Toyota Proace Electric, it’s still one to be considered.

Farizon is a new name, but its SV electric van offers a wide range of body styles, a modern cab, and impressive payload capacity. Battery options range from 67 to 106kWh, which is good enough for a range of up to 247 miles.

The new Kia PV5 is a cracking van, but smaller than the e-Transporter. If you can cope with a slight reduction in load volume and payload, it bridges the gap between compact and medium vans. Kia has launched it at a stunning price and includes a seven-year warranty.

Verdict

For some, the idea of a Transporter no longer being entirely Volkswagen-designed will always be a sticking point. In practice, however, the e-Transporter makes a strong case for collaboration done properly. By building on the E-Transit Custom’s excellent foundations, Volkswagen has produced an electric medium van that is comfortable to drive, refined on the road and genuinely usable as a working vehicle.

It may lack some of the individuality of earlier Transporters, but the e-Transporter feels well resolved, with a polished driving experience, a thoughtfully finished cabin and a specification that’s competitive straight out of the box. Importantly, it doesn’t feel like a token electric conversion.

Against its closest electric rivals, the e-Transporter stacks up well. It’s more car-like and better to drive than Stellantis-built alternatives, more practical and competitively priced than the Mercedes-Benz eVito, and backed by one of the most comprehensive warranty and servicing packages in the sector.

Ultimately, the e-Transporter may share its foundations with the Ford E-Transit Custom, but it feels like more than a lazy badge swap. It’s a carefully executed rebranding that blends Ford’s development and engineering with Volkswagen’s attention to detail and impressive dealer backup. As a result, it’s the most convincing electric medium van currently available.

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**Score based on Select’s unique meta score analysis, taking into account the UK’s top leading independent car website reviews of the Volkswagen e- Transporter 

**Correct as of 16/01/2026. Based on 12 months initial payment, 5,000 miles annually, over a 24 month lease. Initial payment equivalent to 12 monthly payments, or £2,056.92 (Plus admin fee) Ts and Cs apply. Credit is subject to status.