LDV gets the jump on Ford E-Transit and other looming large electric vans with the eDeliver 9, but the ‘charge’ rate is hefty
- How much does the LDV eDeliver 9 cost?
- What equipment comes with the LDV eDeliver 9?
- How safe is the LDV eDeliver 9?
- What technology does the LDV eDeliver 9 feature?
- What powers the LDV eDeliver 9?
- How far can the LDV eDeliver 9 go on a charge?
- What is the LDV eDeliver 9 like to drive?
- What is the LDV eDeliver 9 like inside?
- Should I buy an LDV eDeliver 9?
The race to electrify Australia’s new-vehicle fleet is well and truly on. With EV passenger cars and SUVs beginning to arrive in stronger numbers, the first battery-electric light commercial trade options are now emerging – and at the front of the pack is Chinese car-maker LDV. Already first to the dual-cab ute scene with the full-electric eT60, LDV is also breaking the commercial mould with the new 2022 LDV eDeliver 9. It looks the goods on paper, but what’s it like out on the streets?
How much does the LDV eDeliver 9 cost?
Entry into the 2022 LDV eDeliver 9 isn’t cheap. In fact, at $99,990 plus on-road costs in its cheapest form, the e-motor version of the mid-size commercial van and cab-chassis range is more than twice the price of the equivalent diesel-powered LDV Deliver 9.
That starting figure for the eDeliver 9 relates to the L4 Cab Chassis model, while two van options are also available with a more powerful battery (hence the even higher prices) – LWB Mid Roof (from $116,537 plus ORCs) and LWB High Roof (from $118,836 plus ORCs).
The LDV eDeliver 9 is currently without peer in Australia, but that’s expected to change soon with a variety of rivals on the horizon including the long-awaited Ford E-Transit that’s now due early next year.
The Renault Master E-Tech Electric and Mercedes-Benz eSprinter are also on their way, though not until 2024, but the smaller Mercedes-Benz eVito is already available.
What equipment comes with the LDV eDeliver 9?
Standard equipment across the 2022 LDV eDeliver 9 range covers the basics, such as air-conditioning, power windows, eight-way driver’s seat adjustment and a multifunction steering wheel.
There’s a variety of storage options ranging from under-seat facilities, overhead compartments, deep door pockets and a fold-down middle passenger seatback that includes a cup holder and laptop holder.
All the usual cargo area utilities are standard, including non-slip entry steps, heavy-duty non-slip rubber flooring, eight tie-down points, passenger-side sliding cargo door and 236-degree opening rear barn doors.
However, the EV van models’ braked towing capacity drops from 2800kg to just 1500kg, while the cab-chassis is limited to 1200kg.
Payload is listed at 1350kg for the long-wheelbase high-roof we drove briefly at the national launch, while the LWB mid-roof can carry 1410kg. The cab-chassis has a 1960kg payload. Gross vehicle mass is 4050kg across the board.
Importantly, van cargo volume carries over from the internal combustion version, rated at 10.97 cubic metres in the LWB mid-roof version and 12.33 cubic metres for the high-roof variant.
All eDeliver 9 models have two-year/30,000km service intervals and are backed by a five-year/160,000km factory warranty plus five years’ roadside assistance.
The battery carries a separate eight-year/160,000km warranty.
There’s no information on service pricing at this stage, but the two-year intervals (albeit with the same 30,000km distance limit) bode well for lower costs of ownership that should be realised with the switch to electric power.
How safe is the LDV eDeliver 9?
Headline safety gear on the 2022 LDV eDeliver 9 includes autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control and tyre pressure monitoring (front only on the cab-chassis).
There’s also four-wheel disc brakes supported by an anti-lock braking system, electronic brake force distribution and brake assist.
Other notable features include electronic stability control, hill hold assist, parking sensors (front and rear for the van, front only for the cab-chassis) and a wide-view rear overhead camera.
Airbag protection comprises dual front airbags as well as side and curtain airbags for the front occupants.
Neither the eDeliver 9 nor combustion-engined versions of the LDV Deliver 9 have been tested by ANCAP, although the independent safety authority did include the Deliver 9 in a Commercial Van Safety Comparison report earlier this year, where it scored a ‘bronze’ rating.
What technology does the LDV eDeliver 9 feature?
On the tech front, the 2022 LDV eDeliver 9 features a 10.1-inch touch-screen infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth phone connectivity, but not Android Auto.
There’s no satellite navigation other than the mapping you can call up on your iPhone, while two USB ports are provided for device recharging.
The stereo supports digital radio as well as the AM and FM bands.
A 4.2-inch LCD screen is provided in the instrument binnacle, displaying trip computer information and current status of driver support systems, etc.
What powers the LDV eDeliver 9?
The powertrain options for the battery-electric 2022 LDV eDeliver 9 vary between the van and cab-chassis models.
All versions use a single electric motor for propulsion, developing 150kW of power and 310Nm of torque. Three driving modes are provided: Normal, Eco and Power.
Notably, top speed is rated at 90km/h across the board, which from the outset may limit the appeal of the eDeliver 9 to city applications.
The main difference between the models is found with the lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery, which has a 65kWh capacity in the cab-chassis and 88.55kWh in the two van models.
LDV claims the cab-chassis takes a claimed 36 minutes to be charged from 20 to 80 per cent when using an 80kW DC fast-charger, or 6.5 hours from five to 100 per cent when hooked up to an 11kW AC wallbox with three-phase system. Single-phase power blows this out to 11 hours.
The bigger battery in the vans delivers more range (detailed in the next section) but longer charging times. According to LDV, they both take 45 minutes from 20 to 80 per cent DC, and eight to 12 hours from five to 100 per cent AC (single/three phase).
All three versions of the eDeliver 9 drive the front wheels.
How far can the LDV eDeliver 9 go on a charge?
With the smaller battery, the cab-chassis version of the 2022 LDV eDeliver 9 has a claimed driving range of 150km (WLTP) with a large box tray fitted.
The heavier vans, which tip the scales at 2640/2700kg tare mid/high-roof (cab-chassis 2090kg), have a longer driving range of 280/275km.
Of course, the caveat remains its real-world range, which will depend heavily on the loads being carried.
The high-roof van we drove looked as though it would achieve somewhere close to 250km, but that was unladen.
What is the LDV eDeliver 9 like to drive?
Treat this evaluation very much as a taste test, because we spent only a brief period behind the wheel of the 2022 LDV eDeliver 9 during its recent national launch.
In any case, the initial signs are promising and indeed more encouraging than the loosely-related LDV eT60, which feels unfinished in its packaging, ride and handling.
First of all, the eDeliver 9 feels and sounds far less industrial than a diesel-powered LDV van in around-town conveyance – the domain of most commercial vans.
Depressing its starter button yields quite a prominent whirring noise, which segues into clean and tractable electric propulsion that feels decidedly more refined than a rattly diesel.
The LDV zips up to speed in a linear fashion and offers moderate feeling and weighting to its key controls.
The unladen ride is afflicted with some brittleness over poor country roads, but the overall dynamics of the big van remain a step ahead of the LDV eT60 ute.
The inclusion of regenerative braking is another small boon, again differentiating this model from its dual-cab ute sibling.
All in all, it’s a satisfactory driving experience and shows there is plenty of merit to battery-electric commercial vans.
What is the LDV eDeliver 9 like inside?
The three-seat cabin of the 2022 LDV eDeliver 9 feels well resolved on initial inspection, with a moderate assortment of cubbies, grab rails and wide door openings to facilitate ingress and egress, plus a surprising mix of cabin materials laid out thoughtfully.
No doubt, there’s a commercial theme to the entire space, with rubber flooring and a perched driving position, but the cabin feels quite complete and refined, all things considered.
We take exception to the exposed steering shaft knuckle sitting precariously close to the driver’s feet on the van we drove, and found the native infotainment system a little lacklustre in its useability and intuitiveness.
In any case, we’ll reserve judgement on cabin comfort and the finer details for a longer drive.
At the business end of the cabin, the eDeliver 9 offers a cavernous cargo space, with a flat floor and ample tie-down points for most duties.
The bigger test will be filling the space and seeing how the van performs.
Should I buy an LDV eDeliver 9?
First to market doesn’t always mean ‘rush out and buy it’ and this meeting point with the 2022 LDV eDeliver 9 was only brief.
On first impressions, the drivetrain refinement is appealing and lack of compromise over the regular diesel-powered Deliver 9 van is minimal.
However, there are some obvious barriers to entry and limitations that come with the all-electric van, such as the very high starting price, relatively short driving range (still to be tested in fully loaded real-world conditions) and a 90km/h top speed.
Tradies and commercial fleet buyers looking to make the switch to EVs will need to weigh these up against other factors such as daily work routines, the total cost of ownership and fast-approaching rivals such as the Ford E-Transit.
2022 LDV eDeliver 9 LWB High Roof at a glance:
Price: $118,836 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Powertrain: Single permanent magnet synchronous motor
Output: 150kW/310Nm
Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear
Battery: 88.55kWh lithium-iron phosphate
Range: 275km (WLTP)
Energy consumption: 34.5kWh/100km (WLTP)
Safety rating: Not tested
Keyword: LDV eDeliver 9 2022 Review