Voltia goes with Stellantis mid-weight for high-roof

Slovakian high-roof manufacturer Voltia is launching an XL version of the mid-weight Stellantis electric van, designed primarily for last-mile urban delivery companies. The XL model will be offered across all of the Stellantis brands, including Vauxhall, Citroen, Peugeot and Fiat Professional. It is also expected to be available on Toyota’s Proace Electric vans in 2023.

Voltia became popular initially with a high-roof version of the Nissan e-NV200, which took the compact van’s internal capacity to 8m3, allowing it to compete with much larger LCV models. With the Stellantis vans, the XL conversion lifts the L1 model to 9.8m3 , while the L2 long-wheelbase van can carry up to 11m3 of load. That puts the mid-weight vans on a par with smaller versions of many 3.5-tonne models, which take up more road space and are harder to park in the city.

Despite the additional internal space, the vans retain much of their load carrying capability, with 50kWh battery models offering up to 1,040kg of payload and the longer range 75kWh battery models up to 890kg. Voltia claims a real-life tested range for the smaller battery vans of up to 127 miles, while the 75kWh models offer up to 173 miles, both of which should be more than enough for the majority of urban delivery businesses.

At present, though Stellantis has tested the vans to ensure that brake and ESP performance is uncompromised, the XL models are not available directly through Vauxhall, Citroen or Peugeot dealers. However, sales director Silvester Pullman is confident that Voltia will have Stellantis approval by Q2 of 2022. The previous e-NV200 XL vans were eventually offered as an approved conversion through Nissan’s own dealer network.

Bevan Group

For the UK, the conversion work is carried out by respected Midlands bodybuilder Bevan Group and the company is aiming to have UK Type Approval signed off by January 2022. The company will offer a five-year warranty on the conversion, to provide total peace of mind for customers. The firm can also retro-fit the roof onto existing electric Stellantis vans, though the Voltia philosophy is not to supply the high-roof for diesel-powered vans.

As well as lifting the roof, the conversion includes extended rear doors, providing stand-up access to the inside

of the van. The company is currently sourcing 270° hinges for the vans, to allow the doors to open fully for dock loading.

While the vans will be able to compete on the road, in terms of internal load space and payload, with larger competitive EV models, they will also offer a lower cost entry into the larger Perfect for last-mile deliveries in cities

e-LCV sector. Pullman expects a completed vehicle price of around £35,000 after grants, putting the vans well below some of the larger electric models that are currently on offer.

“The Stellantis van is currently the best electric LCV on the market at this size and the XL will be perfect for lastmile deliveries in cities,” said Pullman.

Safe, secure and effortless ladder storage and handling.

FEATURES:

• Fully adjustable to ensure optimum performance to suit your vehicle and ladder variants

• Double restraining strap system prevents ladder movement

• Rubber cross bar inserts prevent damage to the ladders • SafeClamp® included in single and double ladder options to eliminate ladder movement while in transit

• Independently 20g crash tested

Rh no PR DUCT S T: 0151 319 2931 E: sales@rhinoproducts.co.uk

39799583_288318695303030_5571072985256689664_n.pdf 1 18/09/2018 15:01

Rhino SafeStow4 Half Page Ad Transport & Logistics OCT21.indd 1

Keep an eye on your Vans Prevent Theft! RECORD RECOVERY TIME 13 MINUTES

www.rhinoproducts.co.uk

19/10/2021 14:37