Toyota Proace City Electric L2H1
Is bigger always better? John Kendall puts the theory to the test with the longer version of Toyota’s Proace van
Toyota Proace City Electric L2H1
Is bigger always better? John Kendall puts the theory to the test with the longer version of Toyota’s Proace van
There’s no doubt that the joint venture between Stellantis and Toyota for light CVs has been an effective one for both partners. Toyota has access to a tried-and-tested van range, which the company lacks in Europe. Stellantis gets the endorsement of the world’s largest motor manufacturer with a reputation for quality and reliability. What’s more, the Stellantis van range, with the exception of the largest model, was designed from the outset to be electrically powered. Toyota has been a bit of a latecomer to electric power, having been very focused on hybrids, so the Stellantis model range has been a help to the company.
Both companies have helped to keep the range fresh. It’s now nearly eight years since the Citroën Berlingo and Peugeot Partner models were launched, but electric range has been extended and the cabin has been refreshed with a switch to all-digital instruments.
Like its Stellantis cousins, the Proace City Electric is available in two lengths – Short and Long, with one roof height. There is a just one battery option – 50kWh lithium-ion, able to offer a WLTP combined range of up to 213 miles, which is better than some rivals.
Toyota offers two trim options: Icon and Sport, dropping the entry-level Active available with diesel variants. Icon is available with both lengths, while Sport is restricted to Short models only, which leads to some unfortunate naming – Sport Short anyone? All electric models are available with the option of a heat pump, which should make more efficient use of the available energy to heat or cool the cabin. It comes with a £917 price tag before tax but should help to extend driving range.
Specification for both trim options is good. Items such as a 10-inch multimedia display, navigation, LED headlamps, smartphone integration, voice recognition, folding, heated door mirrors, front, rear and side parking sensors, reversing camera, smart active vision and air conditioning are all standard for both trim grades. In fact, it’s only items such as alloy wheels, body-coloured bumpers, door handles and side mouldings that are standard on Sport models, so for many fleets, Icon will tick all the boxes.
The central 10-inch multimedia display enables the driver to change settings, connect phones and use the navigation system. Heater controls are separate with physical switchgear, so it’s not necessary to wade through screen menus to programme your desired settings.
The original electric variant of the van was good, although range was a bit restricted. Now, with up to 218 miles of range available, there are many van operators who could carry out their normal day’s work with an overnight charge. The lack of noise is a major attraction, plus the ease of driving. Electric vans do not have automatic transmissions, but since electric motors produce maximum torque from zero revs, there is no need for a multi-speed gearbox. One of the changes that is an improvement is adopting steering wheel paddles to adjust the regenerative braking in place of a B position on the gear selector. It gives much more control over regenerative braking and encourages drivers to use it and maximise it.
Our test van was fitted with the Smart Cargo through loading bulkhead, combined with folding passenger bench seat, which would make carrying items such as ladders or pipes much easier, with up to 3,440mm of floor length available. Long variants gain a useful 350mm of load floor length, compared with Short versions. The middle passenger seat also folds down to form a tabletop, providing a flexible load carrying and mobile office space.
Manoeuvring the Proace City is made much easier by the standard reversing camera, front and rear sensors and all-round vision system. It helps to avoid accidents with people in the vicinity as well as vehicle damage.
The downside we came across is one shared with its Stellantis cousins. The range prediction is not a reliable one. It can start off fairly optimistic, but then miles left is shown as falling rapidly if driven at motorway speeds, in a way that rivals do not. There does not seem to be any communication between the navigation system and the range prediction.
