Background
With its hybrid technology, Toyota has played a major role in vehicle electrification in the 21st century. So who could have thought that the brand's very first full-EV products would be vans - with engineering developed by someone else. Yet that's just what we got as the company was dragging its feet getting the all-electric bZ4X SUV into production. First the Proace Electric mid-sized van; then in 2021 this LCV, the Proace City Electric. Both are based on the Stellantis Group engineering of similar vans already on sale from Peugeot, Citroen and Vauxhall: namely the Peugeot E-Partner, Citroen's e-Berlingo and the Vauxhall Combo Electric. As with those models, this Toyota was updated for the 2024 model year with a smarter look, improved cabin infotainment and a longer EV operating range.
You might worry here about a slightly smaller dealer network than those other manufacturers can provide, but the brand is establishing 'Toyota Professional Centres' in existing dealerships, with dedicated maintenance spaces, highly trained staff and special website tools for business customers. And it's all complemented by the most comprehensive warranty in the LCV industry. Sounds promising.
Driving Experience
If you know anything about the engineering of this product, you won't be expecting it to be any different to drive than its E-Partner, e-Berlingo or Combo Cargo-e EV cousins - and of course, it isn't. Start up and there's the usual beep as you get the sign that all is ready to pull away; which you do in the default 'Normal' drive mode. The other selectable drive settings are 'Eco' and 'Power'. You'll need the 'Power' mode to unleash the electric motor's full 134bhp output, though if you drive like that, you will of course get nowhere near the 50kWh battery's WLTP-rated best driving range figure, now improved at up to 205 miles. Better to stick to the 'Normal' mode, which restricts output to 108bhp; or possibly around town to 'Eco' mode, though that gives you just 81bhp and restricts the climate system. 'Normal' mode should be fine for realistic maximisation of range, particularly if you select the 'B' transmission setting that increases brake regeneration.
As usual with EVs, if you do need performance, it's only a right foot jab away; 62mph from rest occupies 11.2s, but the instant response you get to 30mph makes this LCV feel quicker than that. Overtakes are easy too; 50-75 mph takes 8.9s.
Design and Build
Unless you happen to notice the badging or the charging flap, there's little to set this EV van apart from any other Proace City model. There's quite a substantial makeover here, with a striking new frontal design which sets the tone for a contemporary update inside and out. The absence of upper grilles between the headlights creates a more sophisticated, distinctive appearance while the trapezoid-shaped lower grille reflects similar designs across the Toyota range. The look is accentuated by restyled headlamps, including full-LED options and alloy wheels on higher grades. And there's now a Verso EV people carrying MPV version too, which can seat up to seven. The van variant, as before, is offered in a choice of two body lengths, short or long, which both have sliding doors on each side. And as usual in this class, there's a single roof height.
At first glance, the cab doesn't seem much different from the combustion model, but closer inspection reveals different instrumentation and an e-Toggle drive mode selector in place of the gearshift. The drive modes are selected by a switch alongside. Toyota has chosen the conventional interior layout used by the Combo Electric and the e-Berlingo, rather than the E-Partner's weirder 'i-Cockpit' set-up with its small steering wheel and high set dials.
With this updated model, the cabin has been enhanced with a smarter leather-trimmed steering wheel, a new digital instrument cluster and 10-inch touchscreen for the fully connected infotainment system, which includes built-in navigation. Otherwise, the sturdy, comfortable interior is much as before. As previously, the plusher version gets a three-seater arrangement with a middle passenger seat backrest that fold down to create a desk top. That spec also gets you a 'Smart Cargo system' - basically a flap in the bulkhead that allows longer items to be pushed through from the load area, increasing load length by 1.3m for things like ladders. The base spec does without this feature (except as an option) and has two separate front seats.
With both versions, there is no lack of storage space in the cab: 16 storage points, according to Toyota, these including a 15-litre area in the centre console. Toyota knows that for business people today, a van often has to serve as a mobile office as well as a means of transport, so there are plenty of connectivity features too.
Market and Model
After deduction of the available £2,500 Plug-in van grant, Toyota wants around £30,500 from you for this Proace City Electric, that's after your business has reclaimed the VAT. That's for the short wheelbase version with the base 7kW on-board charger. A few hundred pounds more gets you the gutsier 11kW on-board charger for quick battery replenishment. It's probably worth stretching to the long wheelbase Long variant, which only costs around £700 more.
There's only one level of trim - 'Icon' - but it includes quite a lot. You can tick off auto headlamps and wipers, twin sliding side doors, cruise control and a 10-inch centre infotainment touchscreen with 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring. You also get cruise control, a colour 3.5-inch multi-information instrument binnacle display, Bluetooth, a DAB audio system and door mirrors that are heated and power adjustable. And Toyota includes its 'Smart Cargo' system which allows you to push through items from the cargo bay into the cab and fold down the passenger seat to create a handy table. There are two USB ports in the cab and your dealer will offer you accessories like rubber floor mats and ply lining for the load space.
Practicalities and Costs
Potential customers will be pleased to learn that the EV powertrain doesn't compromise practicality. Total capacity depends on your choice between standard L1 (4.4-metres long) and long L2 (4.75-metres long) body styles. There's the usual side-opening siding door and twin side-hinged rear doors that open to 180 degrees. The L1 offers 3,090mm of cargo area load length, with a maximum load height of 1,200mm and a maximum load width between the wheel arches of 1,229mm. The L2 offers 3,440mm of cargo area load length. Yet more space can be freed up with the clever 'Smart Cargo' feature. This uses a folding front passenger bench to add an extra 0.4m3, while also increasing the maximum load length by 1.3m. Maximum load volume including the 'Smart Cargo' system on the L1 is 3.8m3; on the L2, it's 4.4m3. The maximum payload of the L1 is up to 803kg - or up to 751kg for the L2. Both have a towing capacity of up to 750kg.
All Proace City vans are covered by the 'Toyota Relax' programme simply by having servicing done at an authorised Toyota centre. If you do that, after the end of the five year/100,000 mile warranty you'll gain an extra year and 10,000 miles of cover up to a limit of the vehicle reaching 10 years and/or 100,000 miles. That's much better than you'd get from this model's close EV cousins.