The French manufacturer’s small electric van gets a welcomed update. By John Kendall.

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It’s around seven years since the latest-generation Citroën Berlingo Van was launched, with electric versions available from the following year. It was one of the first compact high-cube vans to embrace a suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and for the ë-Berlingo, the first of a new generation of electric vans to include rapid charging.

In terms of van model cycles, therefore, it’s probably overdue for a refresh, which was announced last year. Right-hand-drive variants are now available. The latest model, along with the Dispatch and Relay vans, is distinguished from the previous model by a revised front-grille and the new Citroën logo. Generally, the Berlingo Van range also benefits from Advanced Comfort seats for the first time. There is also a new digital instrument cluster with infotainment systems accessed through the central 10.0-inch screen. Citroën claims 20% more driving range, with up to 205 miles available on the WLTP combined cycle. Enhanced parking aids, highway driver assist and upgraded surround rear vision, which includes a digital rear-view mirror to improve rearward visibility, also join the equipment list.

As before the Berlingo is available in two lengths – M and XL – and there are two trim options: Enterprise and the range-topping Driver. Our Kiama Blue test van featured the shorter M body. The only option fitted to the vehicle was a full-size spare wheel, adding £140 to the price tag. Standard equipment includes cruise control with programmable speed limiter, air conditioning, automatic headlights and windscreen wipers, front fog lights, nearside sliding load door, Extenso modular folding passenger bench seat with through loading facility, overhead storage shelf, charging cable with Type 2 connectors and low-speed audible warning. The equipment list is quite extensive and this list is merely a snapshot of the Driver specification.

Extending the driving range is probably one of the areas that needed attention most from Citroën although, ironically, the national charging infrastructure is far more extensive than it was when the ë-Berlingo appeared some six years ago. The additional range is welcome, but more on that later.

The latest Citroën logo is prominent and there are echoes of the between-the-wars company badge. The double chevron represents the helical gear teeth designed by company founder André Citroën, but we’re not convinced that it’s an improvement.

That said, the van is an improvement, overall. The revised interior with digital instruments is better and the steering seems lighter and more fluid. It was a pleasant vehicle to drive before and we would rate it as better now. The inclusion of the digital rear-view ‘mirror’ is particularly welcome and improves rearward visibility noticeably. When reversing, the driver has two views: that provided by said mirror and another from the reversing camera. Both should help to reduce the chances of damage and accidents when reversing.

While driving range may be improved overall, it is difficult to trust the predicted mileage. This is particularly true if using motorways and travelling at the legal limit. Doing so provides an opportunity to watch the remaining range disappear rapidly. As an example, I used the van to travel 127 miles, expecting to arrive with a comfortable 60–70-mile margin.

Having travelled on a few stretches of dual carriageway, amounting to around 25 miles (at a legal maximum of 60mph in the 2,450kg GVW ë-Berlingo) and a 17-mile stretch of motorway – approximately 42 miles out of the 127 miles, with the rest on single carriageway roads, mostly at a legal maximum of 50mph, I arrived with 28 miles remaining, knowing I was around 12 miles from the nearest charger. By the morning, the remaining range had shrunk further to an indicated 25 miles. It was a journey to North Devon, where the charging infrastructure has plenty of room for improvement.

One of the issues is probably aerodynamics – the Berlingo is less aerodynamically efficient than many electric cars, but I was also running unladen and a fully loaded van would have impacted the range further. A re-calibration of the range prediction software would be a smart move, allowing drivers to plan charging stops more accurately.

The picture is different if your operations are based on local running at much lower speeds. In those circumstances, the Berlingo’s additional range is more likely to be noticeable and more likely to reduce the need for top-up charging during the working day.

VERDICT

The revised ë-Berlingo Van is largely a success. The various tweaks have made a good van better – better visibility and better instrumentation in particular. The ë-Berlingo faces more competition than it did in 2018, so the changes are not a moment too soon, but the long-distance range prediction is a definite snag.

IN BRIEF

WHAT IS IT? A revised version of Citroën’s ë-Berlingo with improved range

MODEL DRIVEN? Citroën ë-Berlingo M (L1H1) Driver

HOW MUCH? £30,195 (ex-VAT, but including £2,500 PiVG)

RANGE? Up to 205 miles (WLTP combined)

LOAD VOLUME? 3.3m3 (L1H1)

GROSS PAYLOAD? 759kg (includes 75kg driver)

DRIVE? 134hp/270Nm front-mounted motor, front-wheel drive with 50kWh Lithium-Ion under-floor battery packs

CHARGING? 100kW on-board DC rapid charger and 7.4kW AC charger

Key fleet model: Citroën ë-Berlingo M Enterprise

Thumbs up: Generally, an easy electric van to drive and live with

Thumbs down: The range prediction where high speeds are involved is not accurate

Seven-word summary: Better all round. Best for local running