LDV eDeliver 7 electric van due in Australia next year, diesel to follow

The Australian distributor for Chinese carmaker LDV has announced the Toyota HiAce-rivalling eDeliver 7 electric van is due in showrooms between January and March 2024.

It is due to be joined by diesel versions – sold in China as the Maxus V70 – at a later date, though specifications are yet to be outlined.

Prices are yet to be confirmed, however they are expected to rise beyond the $34,990 drive-away (with ABN) of the current LDV G10 diesel van.

The new model is set to benefit from a suite of crash-avoidance technology – such as autonomous emergency braking – that is not available on today’s G10.

The entry-level eDeliver 7 is fitted with a 77kWh battery good for a claimed driving range of more than 300km on the European WLTP lab-test cycle.

A larger 88kWh battery will also be made available, increasing the claimed WLTP driving range to 364km. A 150kW/333Nm electric motor powers the front wheels.

The battery is capable of either AC or DC charging at a maximum rate of 90kW. LDV claims the eDeliver 7 can be charged from 20 to 80 per cent on a DC fast charger in about 40 minutes.

Final pricing and specification for Australia is still to be confirmed, but an LDV spokesperson said initial variants will be offered in short-wheelbase low-roof, medium-wheelbase low-roof and medium-wheelbase high-roof variants.

The spokesperson said a 12.3-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto would be available, as well as advanced safety and driver assist technologies to satisfy the requirements of corporate and government fleets, who are expected to make up the bulk of customers for the eDeliver 7.

Similar in size to the top-selling Toyota HiAce, the short-wheelbase low-roof variants of the eDeliver 7 measure in at 4998mm long, 2030mm wide and 1900mm tall on a 3000mm wheelbase with a cargo capacity of 5.9 cubic metres.

The medium-wheelbase low-roof model ups cargo capacity to 6.7 cubic metres. It measures in at 5364mm long, 2030mm wide and 1990m tall with a 3366mm wheelbase. The high-roof model is 2390mm tall and has a cargo capacity of 8.3 cubic metres.

Prices are yet to be revealed for the electric and diesel versions.

In the UK, where deliveries are due to start in December 2023 and where orders are already being taken, the electric eDeliver 7 starts at £39,995 plus applicable taxes, or about $AU78,000.

The larger eDeliver 9 starts at $AU116,537 plus on-road costs in Australia.

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