As a part of the partnership between Citroën and Car Propre, Damien is attempting out the ë-Berlingo Van for 15 days, the utility variant of the 100% electrical MPV from the chevron model. After every week behind the wheel, listed below are his first impressions of driving and his emotions in regards to the electrical motorization…
What might be extra logical than an electrician driving an electrical automotive? Damien, an electrician in Nantes, has not but taken the plunge, however he is considering it an increasing number of… “ I inquired a couple of years in the past about an electrical van from a model competing with Citroën, however on the time, its autonomy of round 100 km was actually inadequate. And it was not financially fascinating, as a result of it was obligatory, as well as, to hire the batteries, which was fairly costly. However right now, the state of affairs is totally different and this real-life check of the Citroën ë-Berlingo Van is an efficient alternative to take inventory “, he insists earlier than including:” Electrical energy pursuits me an increasing number of, for ecological causes, but additionally for a query of picture with my prospects to whom I typically set up Wallbox-type charging stations. After which, even when Nantes just isn’t but involved by the ZFE (low emission zones), ultimately I should go electrical in order that I can entry my development websites situated within the metropolis middle… »
Nonetheless, after every week on the wheel, Damien is getting used to driving an ë-Berlingo Van fairly effectively, which he tries out in its measurement M model, 4.40 m lengthy (it is usually out there in measurement XL of 4.75m). An electrical utility which, let’s keep in mind, depends on the identical traction chain as the big utility ë-Jumpy, particularly an electrical motor creating as much as 100 kW (136 hp) and 260 Nm of torque, related to a 50 kWh lithium-ion battery offering it with a variety of 275 km within the WLTP mixed cycle.
Damien appreciates its “very quiet in all circumstances” driving and “all of the smoother as there isn’t a gear change”. He additionally finds his performances largely enough for journeys made in Nantes and its outskirts, more often than not at lower than 90 km/h (the ë-Berlingo Van is restricted to 130 km/h, editor’s be aware). And this, whatever the driving mode chosen: Regular (80 kW/210 Nm) which permits the most effective compromise between vary and dynamic efficiency, Eco (60 kW/180 Nm), which optimizes consumption by decreasing the efficiency of the heating and air con and Energy (100 kW/260 Nm), extra appropriate for heavy masses or for driving on expressways.
As an electrical voucher, the ë-Berlingo Van in fact gives delayed recharging of its battery and thermal preconditioning of its passenger compartment remotely by way of the “My Citroën” software, the latter additionally making it attainable to view the state of cost and the ‘battery life. Lastly, be aware that the ë-Berlingo Van could be recharged in 15 hours on a bolstered Inexperienced’up kind socket, in 7.30 hours on a single-phase 7.4 kW Wallbox and in 5 hours on a three-phase 11 kW Wallbox, with the cable mode 3 out there as an adjunct. On a 100 kW quick terminal, by way of its combo connector, it recovers 80% cost in simply half-hour.
“He instantly places you relaxed”
Damien (37 years outdated), Craftsman electrician, Nantes (44)
“ In comparison with my utility autos that I take advantage of on my development websites, I discover the ë-Berlingo Van fairly excessive and hulking with a fairly ahead cabin, a excessive and brief bonnet in addition to a big windscreen which ensures good visibility. As with most utility autos, the inside design is kind of mat and the plastics laborious, however the entire is effectively completed and the presentation neat, just like the seats in embossed cloth and the attractive flooring carpet.
The instrumentation which gives a number of show selections together with navigation and a whole electrical interface can also be sensible. Identical to the big shade contact display screen (8 inches editor’s be aware) and the head-up show which signifies numerous data in a really readable approach.
Proper from the beginning, I shortly received used to driving this 100% electrical Citroën ë-Berlingo Van. Already, it instantly places you relaxed due to its comfortable steering, its brief turning radius which facilitates maneuvers and its superb highway holding which makes it flip flat in bends. I simply remorse the braking which isn’t simple to measure. However what I discover above all whereas driving this ë-Berlingo Van is the silence that reigns aboard its cabin. No mechanical noise, no rolling noise, no exterior noise, no noise both from the loading behind the partition wall which additionally appears soundproofed: this felted aspect modifications me from my standard diesel utilities (on this end “ Pack Driver Join”, ë-Berlingo Van is all the higher soundproofed as it’s fitted as customary with an “acoustic pack” Editor’s be aware).
After which, along with its softness, the ability and the instantaneous torque of the electrical motor make driving very nice throughout low-speed restarts and can help you interact extra serenely within the very many roundabouts of Nantes. As well as, even in case you really feel the distinction in energy between the totally different driving modes (Eco, Regular and Energy Editor’s be aware), this ë-Berlingo Van stays surprisingly responsive even in Eco mode. In any other case, I additionally very often use the “B” power restoration mode when decelerating, which considerably will increase engine braking and has a useful influence on my gasoline consumption.
Because the begin of the check, the latter has averaged 18 kWh/100 km, with a variety of 250 km, greater than sufficient to cowl my 60 to 100 km per day. Lastly, regarding the recharging of the battery, I’ve turn out to be accustomed to plugging it in at evening into a traditional socket in my firm, but additionally in the course of the day when a public charging station is obtainable close to my worksites. Not removed from my dwelling, a 50 kW direct present terminal permits me to recharge to 100% in lower than an hour. Nonetheless, if I needed to drive all 12 months spherical in electrical, I might set up a Wallbox to be extra peaceable, particularly since I understand that the community of terminals continues to be fairly restricted contained in the Nantes ring highway. »
