Background
Toyota needs a full fleet of electric vans almost as much as it needs a complete portfolio of electric cars. The last piece in the LCV jigsaw in that respect is this model, the Proace Max Electric. Like other Toyota vans, this one is designed by Stellantis Group brands, who've been offering this design in EV form since 2020 (though we first saw combustion versions of it way back in 2006). Today, it's variously known as the Vauxhall Movano Electric, the Citroen e-Relay, the Peugeot E-Boxer and the Fiat E-Ducato. Why not have a Toyota version too?
At least that means the technology is proven, though you can't help wondering what the world's biggest motor manufacturer would have come up with if it had designed this LCV itself. The design which undergirds this Toyota Proace Max Electric has just been updated with the Stellantis brand models just mentioned: Toyota waited until this happened to introduce the Proace Max Electric because the previous EV version of that Stellantis design had a feeble driving range of just 154 miles; with that being increased to 260 miles, Toyota gave the green light to Proace Max sales - for diesel as well as electric. It's the EV version we look at here, which aims to establish Toyota in the EV part of the large van segment.
Driving Experience
This Proace Max Electric uses a big Stellantis-derived 110kWh battery which takes this LCV 260 miles between charges. It powers an electric motor putting out 270bhp and 410Nm of torque - though you only get that with the fastest of the three available drive settings ('Power'). The default 'Normal' mode restricts this Toyota to 217bhp, while the 'Eco' setting you'll need to get anywhere near the quoted driving range figure restricts you to just 163bhp.
There are four selectable levels of brake regeneration, which are operated by paddles behind the steering wheel. Bear in mind that as usual with EV vans, the range figure will drop off quite a bit if you've a full load out back. This EV model's under-floor battery positioning results in a low centre of gravity, improving cornering and stability even when fully loaded. The steering's quite an old-fashioned set-up that's quite heavy at low speeds, but lightens up at faster ones.
Design and Build
Toyota has applied the revised front end treatment it's rolling out to all its vans to this Proace Max. But if you didn't happen to spot that or the badge work, you'd probably dismiss it as just another Boxer, Relay, Ducato or Movano. Your customers are certainly unlikely to guess that with this van, your company has switched to a full-EV for deliveries. Apart from the badging and the charging flap, there are no exterior giveaways to this Proace Max model's electric status.
Climb inside and you'll be greeted by decent quality cab trim and a reasonably modern dashboard layout. There's a configurable 7-inch driver's display that can show a sat nav. And a 10-inch central infotainment screen incorporating wireless 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring. As you'd expect, there's a dual passenger seat, this one incorporating a drop-down desk unit. Up to ten in-cab storage areas are available, including the glovebox, a dash-mounted document clip and various open or lidded compartments on the dashboard. In addition, there are large door pockets, storage space beneath the passenger seat and a sizeable 22-litre overhead storage compartment.
There's been a clear effort in design here not just to improve the perception of quality in the cab but also to beef up high use, high stress items such as the rear doors. These have been reinforced and high strength door hinges are used. Similarly, the sliding side load door gets reinforced rails, tough-design runners and security-tested door locks.
Market and Model
Expect similar pricing to this model Stellantis Group cousins, which means that before deduction of the government's £5,000 Plug-in Van Grant, you're looking at VAT-inclusive starting figures beginning at around £62,000 on the road for the base L3H2 version. Add around £2,000 more for the lengthier, taller L4H3 variant. There's only one 110kWh battery option. To give you some price perspective, an equivalent L3H2 140hp diesel auto version of this Proace Max costs from around £47,000 (inc VAT) on the road. There's a choice of two body lengths (L3 and L4) and two roof heights (H2 and H3).
Your business will get a reasonable amount of kit for its money. Key items include a multimedia system with 10-inch touchscreen and navigation. Plus there's a digital instrument cluster, automatic air conditioning, automatic headlights with automatic high beam, a reversing camera and rear parking sensors are also provided. Safety features include forward collision alert, blind spot warning and lane departure warning. Key options include a spare wheel, a passenger airbag and 270-degree opening rear doors.
Owners can adapt their vehicle to suit their specific business needs with a dedicated range of accessories, including racking and shelving systems, high-security locks and a roof platform with rear ladder. All Proace Max panel vans are ply-lined as standard but this can be deleted on request, with a commensurate reduction in the vehicle's on-the-road price.
Practicalities and Costs
Carriage capacity is unchanged over an ordinary diesel Proace Max. That's because the drive system's lithium-ion battery is mounted under the floor between the front and rear axle and so doesn't impinge on the cargo bay. There's a choice of two load lengths (L3 and L4); and two roof heights (H2 and H3).
In L3 configuration, the Proace Max Electric has a load deck length of 3,705mm and an internal load height of 1,932mm, which gives a 13m3 capacity. The largest Proace Max Electric L4 has a load deck length of 4,070mm and a 17m3 capacity. This is the first Toyota van to be able to offer 270-degree opening rear doors.
Payload is rated at 1,385kg but Toyota shouldn't congratulate itself; a rival Renault Master E-Tech can take up to 1,625gs.
We gave you this Toyota's range figure - 260 miles - in our Driving section. Thanks to the 150kW rapid charging speed, a public DC power source could replenish the battery to 80% in 55 minutes. Like Toyota's other fully electric LCV models, the Proace Max Electric is exempt from current ultra-low and congestion charge payments.
The key difference in choosing this Toyota rather than its Stellantis Group cousins is the 'Relax Warranty' you get with a Proace Max Electric. The base package is 3 years and 60,000 miles, but as long as you keep the vehicle annually serviced at a Toyota franchise, this will be topped up every year - right up to a 10 year / 100,000 mile limit. There's a separate 8 year / 100,000 mile battery warranty.