Volkswagen ABT e-Transporter 6.1: all-electric; no-compromise

The end of the Covid-19 pandemic is slowly but surely coming into view, and that's why vans are even more of a vital tool in any company’s armoury than they’ve ever been before – helping British businesses of all shapes and sizes kick-start the UK economy and reach out to customers while delivering services directly to their door.

Vans come with expensive running costs, though – including fuel, tax and urban congestion and emissions zone charges – that are a drain on your bottom line. That’s why picking an electric van makes even more sense right now, and the Volkswagen ABT e-Transporter 6.1 offers all the benefits of going electric, with no compromise on the way you work.

Engineered by Volkswagen partner ABT using electric drivetrain experience from Formula E, the ABT e-Transporter 6.1 delivers up to 82 miles of real-world range – perfect for most jobs, especially for urban businesses focusing on local and last-mile deliveries. And, with a choice of fast public charging or lower-cost overnight charging, you can top up the ABT e-Transporter 6.1’s batteries when it suits your schedule, while also keeping control of your day-to-day running costs.

Thanks to compact lie-flat batteries that sit under the ABT e-Transporter 6.1’s floor you still get a full 6.7m³ load volume and a 996kg payload, letting you pack in a full day’s work, while the lightweight but powerful 83kW electric motor – with a hefty 200Nm of instant electric torque – delivers all the performance you need. It really is the Volkswagen Transporter you know and love, with an electrifying difference.

Learn more about the Volkswagen ABT e-Transporter 6.1 at volkswagen-vans.co.uk 

The range to deliver the goods

Going electric certainly doesn’t limit the sort of jobs your van can do. In fact, when it comes to going the distance, the ABT e-Transporter 6.1 offers up to 82-miles of all-electric range, which is easily enough for most needs.

For comparison: the average UK commercial vehicle typically covers 12,000 miles a year, which means that most vans are actually on the road for less than 50 miles a day. Then, consider the roles played by urban vans – lots of small businesses focusing on local customers, allied to the rise in ‘last mile’ home deliveries for online shopping. That means they do even fewer miles.

In fact, a study by the Mayor of London’s office found that one firm’s vans – delivering 150 parcels a day – did just 11 miles per shift, with 119m between deliveries. That makes an electric van the perfect option to quickly cut costs and make your business work smarter.

All the load space you need

Compromise isn’t a word in Volkswagen’s dictionary – especially when it comes to hard-working practicality – and the VW ABT e-Transporter 6.1 certainly doesn’t neglect its load-lugging capabilities in favour of electric efficiency.

One of the benefits of an electric powertrain over a conventional engine is the chance to keep the batteries mounted low down in the chassis, maximising the space inside – and the ABT e-Transporter 6.1 uses this to good effect. The result: there’s absolutely no compromise in space or practicality, with the e-Transporter 6.1 boasting the same great 6.7m³ of load volume and 996kg payload of a standard Transporter.

The power to get the job done

The heart of the Volkswagen ABT e-Transporter 6.1 is a technically advanced and lightweight 83kW motor, which produces 200Nm of instantly available electric torque. That means that heavy loads can be moved with ease, while smooth, whisper-quiet electric motors makes the ABT e-Transporter 6.1 as comfortable and relaxing to drive as it is capable.

The electric motor typically runs at 75% capacity in order to maximise range, while a clever kickdown function on the smooth DSG automatic gearbox unleashes 100% when the throttle is fully pressed, maximising power when needed. The ABT e-Transporter 6.1 also uses regenerative braking – recovering energy that would otherwise be lost during deceleration and feeding it back into the battery for later use. 

In the classy, uncluttered interior a wealth of technology helps you stay connected and working smarter – including a 6.5in touchscreen, Bluetooth hands-free, two USB ports, and DAB+ radio as standard. Standard-fit safety features include City Emergency Braking and Crosswind Assist.

Advance trim adds a number of extra features – including electrically foldable door mirrors, automatic LED headlights and rain-sensing wipers, as well as front and rear parking sensors. It’s just another way the ABT e-Transporter 6.1 ensures that you have all the tools to do the job.

Charging that fits your working day

When it comes to recharging, the ABT e-Transporter 6.1’s Combined Charging System (CCS) gives you all the options you need. Using a home or workplace 7.2kW AC wallbox and the Type 2 cable, you can recharge the e-Transporter in roughly five and a half hours. 

Doing that overnight – making the most of lower-cost electric rates during the time a vehicle is off the road anyway – gives you a full charge for the start of the next working day, and lets you run your electric van in the most cost-efficient way.

Alternatively, if you need an on-the-move top-up, the ABT e-Transporter 6.1 supports up to 50kW rapid charging – restoring your batteries from 0% to 80% in as little as 45 minutes (perfectly timed for fitting a mid-day power boost around a lunch break).

Adding up the cost benefits

The day-to-day savings of going electric quickly mount up. Combine this with low servicing costs (an electric engine is simpler to maintain than a diesel engine), zero VED road tax (which is worth the equivalent of £750 over three years), government grants and Ultra-Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) exemptions, and it’s clear that an all-electric van can save your business significant money.

And if that wasn’t enough, the fact that electric vans like the ABT e-Transporter 6.1 help you reduce your impact on the world around you is a great motivation for you and your staff – while also being looked upon favourably by customers and clients who are actively choosing firms with a green outlook and a real concern about the environment. The e-Transporter isn’t just an opportunity to save money. It’s an opportunity to build a new – and greener – image.

So, whether you’re navigating suburbia, covering last-mile deliveries or pushing further afield, now is the time to take your business electric with the VW ABT e-Transporter 6.1.

Learn more about the Volkswagen ABT e-Transporter 6.1 at volkswagen-vans.co.uk