Berlingo EV for 2013 CV Show

Citroen will show its all-new Berlingo Electrique van at this year's Commercial Vehicle Show in the NEC, Birmingham from 9-11 April, writes Trish Whelan.

The show is an annual shop window for the commercial vehicle operator.

This new van has the latest electric vehicle technology. The electric motor is located under the bonnet and the lithium-ion battery pack is underneath the load deck. This allows a load compartment of up to 3.7m3 and a payload of 636kg, equivalent to that of a similar diesel-powered Berlingo van.

The Berlingo Electrique has a range of up to 106 miles and can be charged using a domestic socket in just over eight hours. Alternatively it can be charged to 80 percent of capacity in just 35 minutes with a specific 380V three-phase terminal in quick-charge mode.

The electric motor produces 67hp and has a peak torque of 200Nm. The motor drives the front wheels through a speed reducer and a single-ratio gearbox.