The compact LDV eDeliver 3 panel van first entered the New Zealand market in the first quarter of 2021, and little has changed since then.
That is not unsurprising, given that light commercial vehicles tend to have a much longer production cycle than passenger cars, even in the EV space.
At first, the eDeliver 3 offered two battery capacities: a 35kWh lithium-ion unit with a range of up to 280km and a 51kWh unit with a range of up to 400km. Now, only the larger capacity battery is available to Kiwi buyers.
In addition to the current short wheelbase version, which offers a carrying capacity of 4.8 cubic metres or up to 905kg, the brand’s previous distributor also wanted to import an extended version of the eDeliver 3 with a capacity of 6.3 cubic metres or up to 1020kg.
Unfortunately, the lengthened version of the eDeliver3 van never happened, which was a great shame as it would have offered some competition for the Toyota Hiace, Renault Trafic and Volkswagen Transporter 6.1.
Four years later, the LDV brand now sits under the auspices of Inchcape New Zealand, a London-based multinational that distributes it, and the KGM and Subaru brands locally.
Read our 2023 LDV Deliver 9 Bigger review
MY23 LDV eDeliver 3 line-up
Inchcape currently offers two versions of the eDeliver 3. The two-seat 4.8 cubic metre panel van with one side and two rear barn doors is pictured here. A chassis/cab version can also be customised into a flat deck or box-body delivery vehicle.
The list price for both variants is $59,990. The eDeliver 3 comes with a standard three-year, 100,000km warranty on the vehicle and an eight-year 160,000km warranty on the traction battery.
Both versions are powered by a 90kW/255Nm electric motor driving the front wheels. LDV New Zealand says a DC charge will replenish the traction battery from five to 80 per cent in 45 minutes or up to eight hours overnight on an AC charger.
It also quotes a WLTP City electric driving range of up to 344km, but in reality, it’s closer to 280km, precisely that of its nearest rival, the long-wheelbase Peugeot e-Partner, which retails for $77,990.
MY23 LDV eDeliver 3 features and benefits
So, what is the van experience like in the eDeliver 3? We will start at the back, arguably a van’s most critical aspect. There are barn-type rear doors and a single, passenger-side slider accessing the load area.
The cargo space is longer than most compact vans, and the lower floor allows for more effortless loading. A bulkhead is fitted between the cabin and the load area as a standard and there are plenty of fixing points.
Inside, the passenger cabin feels surprisingly spacious, and the overall design feels both modern and durable. Hard plastics are only welcomed in light commercial vans. The seats feel like they belong in something much sportier; they are very comfortable and also heated.
The air conditioning unit is unique; you can switch on cold, warm, or dry, warm air for the windscreen. This makes you think about your energy use.
The touchscreen infotainment system is basic but works well enough and is home to the rear-view camera. A small screen in the otherwise conventional dash gives the driver a small amount of information; motor speed, voltage, battery percentage, etc. You select drive through a dial on the dash, but there is no park function; only Drive, Reverse and Neutral, which takes some time to get acclimated.
Safety levels could also be criticised, but the updated model will most likely address them. Only front airbags exist; no active safety features, such as autonomous braking or lane keeping, are available.
LDV eDeliver 3 driving impressions
Most unladen commercial vehicles have a firm ride, and when empty, the eDeliver 3 is no exception, especially since it also rolls on steel rims fitted with 15-inch tyres.
But it does have light and responsive electric power steering, and around town, the electric motor has more than enough oomph to keep up with the flotsam and jetsam of peak hour traffic.
On the motorway, it feels a bit more laboured. Although the eDeliver 3 is supposed to have a top speed of 120km/h, our example seemed much happier travelling in the inside lane at a steady 80 to 90km/h.
Nipping around the narrow back streets of Newmarket and downtown Auckland, the eDeliver 3 was the happiest of campers. Its compact dimensions made it easy to navigate around parking garages and into loading zones.
Being a panel van with no side or rear windows or rearview mirror, the driver depends on the (fortunately) large side view mirrors and the rear camera, which gives a more than adequate view when parallel parking or reversing up a ramp.
Drivers can adjust the engine’s regenerative brake power to their preferred level. A switch on the dashboard provides three levels.
Despite the introduction of Road User Charges for battery electric vehicles, we believe the LDV eDeliver 3 still offers New Zealand’s most affordable entry point for a light commercial vehicle with competitive running costs.
It has some quirks, but these are easily accommodated. It admirably meets the brief as an overall solution for an urban-focused vehicle.
MY23 LDV eDeliver 3 specifications:
Price – $59,990
Engine – Single electric motor
Traction battery – 52.5 kWh
Transmission – single-speed
Power – 90kW
Torque – 255Nm
Consumption – 23.63 kWh/100km
Gross vehicle mass – 2460kg
Cargo capacity – 4.8 cubic metres
Payload capacity – 905kg
Towing capacity – 500kg (braked)
Vehicle warranty – 3 years, 100,000km
Battery warranty – 8 years, 160,000km
