Volkswagen’s eCrafter electric van to debut at CV Show

HERE’S your chance to check out one of the latest all electric van at the CV Show (April 24-26).

The Volkswagen eCrafter will make its UK debut at the NEC so you can have a good look around it, and talk to VW specialists about the van’s operation.

Following the CV Show, the eCrafter will take part in a customer feedback programme before the van goes on sale in September Europe (available 2020 in the UK). The four UK customers taking part in the test programme are:

Gatwick Airport,
Heathrow Airport,
City of London Corporation and
the London Borough of Southwark.

Following the CV Show, eCrafter will be tested with UK customers

Volkswagen says that the eCrafter is perfect for van operators covering around 60 miles per day, often involving many starts and stops.

The eCrafter’s lithium-ion battery is completely integrated into the underbody, meaning the standard vehicle’s entire cargo volume (10.7 m3) is fully usable. A maximum payload of between 1.0 and 1.75 tonnes is available.

Battery charging to 80% can be accomplished in just 45 minutes at a fast charger unit. Or from a wallbox, charging time to 100% is around 5.5 hours.

Director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Carl zu Dohna added:

“I’m really pleased we can show the eCrafter at the CV Show and look forward to talking to customers about their future fleet requirements.

“Our promise to work with all customers and provide them with bespoke mobility solutions to keep them and their businesses moving is at the heart of everything we do.

“Having the right vehicles, including alternatively fuelled vans, is essential and we are sure the eCrafter will play an important part in our future model strategy.”

Crafter to feature in VW Driving Experience

Get behind the wheel of the new Crafter yourself at the CV Show

Test drive the Crafter yourself

Once you’ve had the opportunity to inspect the eCrafter, there’s the opportunity to test the new diesel Crafter yourself.

That’s because throughout the three day show, you can take part in VW’s driving experience in a designated driving area on the NEC site.

Accompanied by pro-drivers, you can put the Crafter’s technical features to the test with three challenges based around agility, urban driving and towing a trailer.

The challenges are designed to demonstrate how the Crafter’s electro-mechanical steering system, park assist, reversing cameras, side protect assist and trailer assist help make light work of the toughest driving jobs.

Head of marketing for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Sarah Cox, said:

“Since launch last year, the Crafter has been impressing drivers and fleet managers with its flexibility, drivability and state-of-the-art safety, comfort and convenience systems. But it’s only when you’re behind the wheel that you can fully appreciate the benefits these features bring in everyday situations. That’s why we wanted to bring them to life at the CV Show.

“There’s fun to be had out on the course – but also a serious message: when you have a vehicle that’s easy to drive and safe to drive, you avoid knocks and accidents, big and small, all of which reduce downtime, reduce running costs and enhance resale values. When your vehicles are off the road, they’re not working and your business isn’t moving forwards.”

How to book a drive in the Volkswagen Crafter

If you want to take part in the Crafter Driving Experience, you can reserve your slot by visiting the reception desk on the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles stand in Hall 4. Driving Licences will need to be seen on the day.