Update: Denza MPV updated.
There are more than ten electric MPV and electric minivan models lined up for launch in the next few years, and here is what we know about them.
Chrysler Pacifica EV
In 2016, the Chrysler Pacifica became America’s first plug-in hybrid electric minivan, and in 2021, enjoyed its best year on the market. Later this decade, it could become one of the country’s first minivans available with a battery-electric powertrain.
Chrysler may launch its electric minivan around the middle of the decade, and it could be the first-ever Chrysler Pacifica EV. Image Source: Stellantis
In a conversation with MotorTrend, Chrysler CEO Christine Feuell indicated that a Pacifica EV is in the pipeline. This model could be a part of the second-gen Pacifica range and could be revealed mid-decade. Feuell wants to change the way Americans perceive minivans, and could design its electric minivan from a clean sheet. Giving the design an SUV-like feel, similar to what Kia did to the Carnival, wouldn’t be a bad idea, though she didn’t signal a change of that sort is coming.
Later, speaking with Automotive News Canada, the CEO said that the minivan segment will continue being the “mainstay” for Chrysler. Here’s the brand that invented the modern minivan in 1983, and now they could be at it again with the first all-electric American minivan. Feuell said that the company wants to continue transforming that segment, but did not confirm details.
The Windsor Assembly Plant in Ontario, Canada, has been building Chrysler (Chrysler Group)’s minivans since 1983, including the Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid. Later this decade, it could become the factory manufacturing Chrysler’s first all-electric minivan.
VW ID. Buzz
The VW ID. Buzz will be launched in the U.S. in 2024. The company is likely to release the American model info later this year. Image: Volkswagen News/Youtube
The VW ID. Buzz will go on sale in Europe in the second half of the year. Its U.S. launch, however, will only take place in 2024, following the premiere of the U.S.-specification model next year.
Based on the MEB platform, the ID.Buzz comes in standard-wheelbase and long-wheelbase forms. However, the U.S. will get only the passenger model in the long-wheelbase form. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has not revealed information about the long-wheelbase vehicle.
What we know is that the standard-wheelbase VW ID. Buzz uses a 77 kWh battery pack and a rear-mounted electric motor that produces 201 hp and 229 lb-ft of torque. This configuration provides it an electronically governed top speed of 90 mph. Volkswagen has said that it will reveal the range at a later date and also that it plans to introduce more motor and battery pack options.
One of the future configurations could offer a range of up to 350 miles (WLTP) with a 111 kWh battery pack and a solar roof. A dual-motor configuration could offer a 0-62 mph acceleration time of under 9 seconds. These are pure media speculations, though.
VW ID. California
Following the VW ID. Buzz, Volkswagen will launch an all-electric campervan under the VW ID. range. Volkswagen Group announced this surprise electric minivan as the ‘VW ID. California’ in the Planning Round 70 it conducted in December 2021. The company said that it will manufacture the ID. California in Hannover, Germany. The U.S. launch of the ID. California could take place in 2025.
Canoo Lifestyle Vehicle
Anticipated specs of this futuristic EV include up to 300 hp and 332 lb.-ft. of peak motor torque, with a 250-mile range. Image: Canoo
If the California-based startup keeps all its promises, the Canoo Lifestyle Vehicle will be one of the most futuristic electric vans on the American market. Going on sale in 2022 (as claimed by the startup company), it will be Canoo’s first vehicle launch. Designed for maximum cabin space, which incidentally leads to a sci-fi flick exterior, it is available in Base, Premium, Adventure, and Delivery trims. Its interior space is similar to a large SUV, claims Canoo.
The Canoo Lifestyle Vehicle’s exterior dimensions are similar to a compact car’s. Canoo is expecting to offer it with a powertrain that generates up to 300 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque and a battery pack that provides a range of 250 miles. The company aims to price the Base, Premium, and Delivery trims from anywhere between USD 34,750 and USD 49,950. It has started taking pre-orders with a deposit of USD 100.
Morris Commercial JE van
Source – Youtube/Morris Commercial
The JE van is Morris Commercial’s first product (not to be confused with MG Motor, MG Commercial is a British brand revived in November 2019 by European and British investors and led by Dr. Qu Li). The Morris JE, a 1950’s Morris J-Type-inspired van, will retail for about GBP 60,000 (lease options will also be available). The company has said on its social media page that it will begin accepting deposits in the coming months, with customer deliveries planned at the end of the year.
Salient features of the JE include 200 miles (320 km) of range, 1 tonne of payload, 80 percent fast charge in 30 minutes, and a carbon-fiber body construction. The Morris JE van will be exported globally after the initial launch in the UK. Morris Commercial expressed intent to build a pickup truck, campervan, and minibus applications on the JE’s platform, while detailing the vehicle back in November 2019.
Voyah Dreamer
The Dreamer rides on Dongfeng’s ESSA (Electric, Smart & Secure Architecture) platform, and will be launched in China this year. Image – Voyah
China’s Dongfeng Group’s high-end EV brand Voyah (‘Lantu’ in Chinese) unveiled its second product at the 2021 Guangzhou Auto Show (19-28 Nov 2021), an electric Minivan called the Voyah Dreamer. The luxury MPV was shown in a comfort-oriented, luxurious four-seat configuration. It has said the MPV will do 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 5.9 seconds.
The Voyah Dreamer MPV measures 5,315 mm in length, 1,980 mm in width, and 1,810 mm in height, and it has a 3,200 mm-long wheelbase. It will be available in 4- and 7-seat versions. The front seats are 12-way electrically adjustable while the middle row seats are 8-way power operated. There’s a plethora of features, including massage and electric leg rests for the middle row seats, 5G connectivity and Level 2+ autonomous driving system.
The new electric minivan features a fully digital instrument cluster, a large central touchscreen, and a large touchscreen passenger display ahead of the front seats. For the rear-seat occupants, it includes features like reclining rear seats with wing-type headrests and large leg rests, perforated leather upholstery, fold-out tray tables, and Xiaomi TV.
We learn from Chinese media reports that the Dongfeng Group started pre-production of the Voyah Dreamer in Wuhan, China, in January 2022. Voyah has announced on Weibo that it will launch the Dreamer on April 7, 2022. Along with the launch announcement, the company has said that it will offer the electric minivan with a camel brown interior, 5G, three screens (mentioned above), a trunk with space for four 24-inch suitcases, and air suspension.
The Dreamer could arrive also in Europe as Voyah has confirmed that it plans to enter Norway. The Nordic nation will be its first overseas market. According to a Chinese press release that Dongfeng Motor published on mp.sohu.com, the company plans to showcase the ‘Free’ SUV in Oslo in June and launch it in the country in Q4 2022 (October-December 2022). Voyah will open its first Norwegian retail outlet in the national capital, and the Dreamer could arrive in Norway as the brand’s second product in 2023.
Maxus MIFA 9
SAIC’s Maxus will begin shipments of the MIFA 9 MPV to Europe & the UK in the middle of this year. Image: Maxus
The production Maxus MIFA 9 electric Minivan (shown as the MIFA concept at last year’s Auto Shanghai) debuted at the Guangzhou Auto Show 2021. Sales will start in China in May, with a simultaneous launch in EU markets like Norway and the UK.
The MIFA 9 electric MPV features a 90 kWh li-ion battery with a CLTC range of 520 km (323 miles) with a single motor delivering 180 kW (245 PS) and 350 Nm of torque, with a longer range 650 km (404 miles) model due in 2023. Maxus will offer six and seven-seat versions of the MIFA 9 with prices ranging from CNY 269,990 (EUR 38,565) to CNY 379,900 (EUR 54,264).
Zeekr 002
The Zeekr 002, the second model for Geely Auto’s premium EV brand, is expected to be an electric MPV. Electric MPVs like the Zeekr 002, the Maxus MIFA 9, and the Voyah Dreamer come on the back of China’s new three-child policy, which would mean many families require a spacious vehicle to haul weekend luggage and accommodate child seats.
Expect the 002 to come in six- and seven-seat versions. Spy pictures have revealed that it will feature comfy individual seats with electric adjustment, extra-wide headrests, and armrests with in-built storage space. This will probably be an optional feature, though. The basic configuration could have a bench seat for three passengers in the middle row. The leaked interior shots also show a flat-bottomed steering wheel, a fully digital instrument cluster, and a tablet-style touchscreen infotainment system.
Zeekr plans to launch a new EV every year, and in 2023, it will reportedly start exporting cars to Europe. This will be key for Zeekr, which wants to sell 650,000 units annually by 2025. Zeekr products ride on the SEA (Sustainable Experience Architecture), which should help the company maintain its timeline of launching a new EV every year, and compete with global offerings in features and specifications. We should know more about the Zeekr 002 in the coming months.
Mercedes EQT
The Mercedes EQT will be built alongside the Renault Kangoo, Nissan Townstar, and the Mercedes T-Class at the Renault plant in Maubeuge, France. Pictured is a rendition of the production vehicle.
With an expected launch in the second half of the year, the Mercedes EQT will appeal to young families and adventure enthusiasts looking for an electric MPV to carry their gear. Sharing its platform with the Renault Kangoo Z.E. electric MPV, the EQT is expected with a 45 kWh battery that provides a range of 300 km (186 miles) in the WLTP cycle. A front-mounted motor developing 90 kW (122 PS/121 hp) of power and 245 Nm of torque could be the mainstay of the European MPV.
Next-gen Mercedes EQV
In 2025, a new-generation Mercedes EQV could replace the current model that premiered in 2019. While the current EQV is a conversion of the V-Class, thus an EV developed on a modified ICE vehicle platform, the next-gen EQV could be a bespoke EV. Mercedes-Benz Group is developing a new electric-only platform for electric vans and Light Commercial Vehicles called VAN.EA and plans to launch the first model based on it in 2025. That model could be the next-gen EQV. The redesigned model should be more space- and energy-efficient and more luxurious.
Hyundai Staria FCEV
The Hyundai Staria FCEV was announced at the IAA 2021 (2021 Munich Motor Show), with a market launch planned in the second half of 2023. The Staria will get the third-generation fuel cell system.
The Staria van will feature a new and advanced hydrogen fuel cell powertrain. The company will not launch a battery-electric variant. Image – Hyundai
There are two versions of the fuel cell system (100 kW and 200 kW), and the Staria FCEV is expected with the 100 kW cell. The third-generation fuel cell system is 30 percent smaller than the Nexo’s unit and should allow engineers to maintain the interior space the Staria offers. Sales of the Staria FCEV will be exclusive to countries that have a good network of hydrogen refueling stations.
Mini Urbanaut
In a press release on November 3, 2021, talking about its future strategy, Mini said it was working on a “new vehicle concept” with many creative solutions inspired by the Mini Vision Urbanaut. The upcoming product will pack maximum available space onto the smallest road footprint, it said. Some reports speculate Mini could revive the Traveller nameplate with the production Urbanaut, whereas some reports speculate Mini has not yet decided the name for the electric MPV.
The production version of the Urbanaut could revive the Traveller brand or merge with the Clubman. Image: BMW Group
In an interview with Autocar UK at the 2021 Munich Motor Show, Oliver Heilmer, Mini’s designer, said that bringing the concept to production will be a “long process” as it is a different platform and some of the features Mini is aiming for (like the steer-by-wire) are not in production yet. A 2025 launch timeline is what reports indicate for the production Mini Urbanaut, following the availability of the BMW Die Neue Klasse platform.
BYD ‘R’ Premium MPV
BYD’s upcoming premium electric brand, which goes by the internal codename ‘R,’ will target the electric MPV segment, though it first plans to launch a rugged electric SUV. The brand will launch by June this year, and an electric MPV is expected in 12-18 months of the launch.
The director of the premium brand, Zhao Changjiang, took to social media in November 2021 to collect feedback from netizens regarding a large 7-seat MPV. Given the premium positioning, we can expect the MPV to offer a range of 800+ km (500 miles) thanks to the BYD Blade Battery and the lightweight e-Platform 3.0.
XBUS
The XBUS was expected to be available for customers from Q3 2022, but the brand is now reportedly facing delays. Image: ElectricBrands
XBUS, previously called eBussy, is a new retro-style modular van. Measuring 3.96 meters in length, 1,64 meters in width, and 1.96 meters (offroad version: 2.03 meters) in height, it is perfectly suited for European streets. And it’s light, too, weighing under 600 kg (net). It can carry up to 3 people and 1,000 kg of payload. A 56 kW motor drives the wheels and provides a top speed of 100 km/h.
The basic package which includes 8 battery modules (1.25 kWh each) provides a travel range of around 200 km in the City Mode and up to 140 km in Mix Mode. When equipped with the optional packs (30 kWh battery) plus a solar roof that adds up to 200 km to the range, the XBUS can travel up to over 600 km (in urban conditions) on a full charge. The bus will also have active and passive safety systems like a crash box, roll bar and electronic stability program.
The XBUS will be available in eight versions, including Bus, Tipper, CargoBox, Pick Up!, Open!, Camper, and more. There’ll be two chassis options: XBUS City and XBUS Offroad. ElectricBrands will manufacture the EV in Itzehoe, Germany, from the middle of this year. Prices will start at under EUR 20,000.
The XBUS van was supposed to be available to customers in Q3 of 2022, but the brand is reportedly facing delays, say reports coming out of Germany. ElectricBrands is facing challenges because of the pandemic as the global supply chains continue to be slow-moving, says Ecomento.de. Additionally, the staff strength is low, and there are delivery and production bottlenecks as well. German reports such as SHZ.de say that the brand has received 15,000 reservations, and deliveries are unlikely to commence before 2023.
Toyota Mid Box
Given its compact dimensions, the Toyota Mid Box could be a potential product for the U.S. market. Perhaps Toyota will make a passenger version, if enough people are interested. Image Source: Noriaki Mitsuhashi/N-RAK PHOTO AGENCY
Along with a wide range of Toyota and Lexus passenger EVs, Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) unveiled a few commercial EVs during its media briefing on BEV strategies in December 2021. One was the Toyota Mid Box, a compact delivery van that could rival the VW ID. Buzz Cargo. We’re rooting for a passenger application, one that provides a simple alternative to the funky VW ID. Buzz!
Denza MPV
The upcoming Chinese model has classic MPV proportions, visually similar to the Toyota Vellfire. Image: Greg Kable (via Twitter)
As per Chinese media reports, BYD-owned Denza will reveal an electric MPV in China on 13 April 2022. The first images show that the upcoming EV has classic MPV proportions, similar to the Vellfire. It has short overhangs and a long wheelbase, translating into a generous cabin room.
Autohome reported on March 18, 2022, that the MPV measures 5.2 meters long (with a 3-meter wheelbase) and the official teasers reveal some critical design elements. There’s a massive grille with matrix-effect, and it houses the headlamps. A character line stretching from above the front fender, all the way to the rear also makes the MPV appear striking. At the rear, there are intricately designed LED lamps housed into a full-width panel.
The new MPV will have a 2+2+3 seating configuration, with the third row folding flat for massive boot space. Autohome reports that dedicated designers rather than BYD designed the MPV. Powertrain options will be hybrid and pure electric, and the latter would be equipped with the BYD Blade battery. The MPV will reportedly start at CNY 450,000 (USD 70,800) and is unlikely to be sold in overseas markets.
Featured Image: VW
Keyword: 16 Exciting New Electric Minivan/MPV models on the horizon