The range of electric family buses is growing. Toyota is now also adding a model to its range - in several variants.
Toyota's first battery electric car is French. While the Japanese still have no Stromer in their range in the classic car segment apart from the Mirai fuel cell sedan, there is now the Proace Verso minibus developed by cooperation partner PSA with a plug and cable connection. As with the sister models Peugeot e-Traveler, Citroen e-Spacetourer and Opel e-Zafira, a 100 kW / 136 PS electric motor takes over the drive. Two batteries with 50 kWh and 75 kWh are available for the power supply. Prices start at 58.530 euros.
The "Verso" is the family car version of the Proace and the electric version is always richly equipped. In addition to automatic air conditioning, alloy wheels, head-up display and adaptive cruise control, a second sliding door, leather steering wheel and a rear window that can be opened separately are standard in the basic “Team Germany” model. The higher line “Executive” (plus 7.700 euros) also featured leather seats, a panoramic roof and a navigation system. In contrast to its sister models, the electric Proace Verso does without the short version “Compact” in the body offering, so that there are only two lengths to choose from: 4,85 meters and 5,30 meters. The former with eight seats (2 + 3 + 3), the latter with seven, slightly more airy armchairs (2 + 2 + 3).
Even in the E version, the Proace takes over sheet metal and technology almost 1: 1 from the PSA models. The synchronous motor with 208 kW / 100 PS and 136 Nm torque, known from Opel Corsa-e or Peugeot e-260, acts as the drive. Even if the rather manageable performance only offers the typical e-car boost in the mildest form and at the very most attracts veteran van drivers when they start at the traffic lights: The electric power is easily sufficient for everyday life in the city and on country roads. However, the Toyota will probably reach its limits on mountainous routes with seven passengers and luggage. Even on the autobahn, it is only enough to swim with the traffic; at 130 km / h the acceleration is completely over.
But driving fast is not the mission of the minibus. Instead, it is designed for economy and maximum range - that's demanding enough for a vehicle of this weight and size class. To make this easier in everyday life, the maximum available engine power can be regulated down to 60 kW / 82 PS at the push of a button. This should ensure greater ranges in city traffic, which is less demanding in terms of performance. With the larger of the two batteries, up to 330 kilometers are possible, the smaller one allows 230 kilometers. An 11 kW on-board charger is available as standard for AC charging at home wallboxes or public charging stations, which fully charges the small battery in around 5 hours and the large one in around 7 hours. Refueling overnight is basically possible. The Toyota can handle up to 100 kW direct current at the fast charging station via a CCS cable, so that the smaller energy storage device is 80 percent charged in the best of cases after half an hour. It takes 15 minutes longer for the large specimen.
The minibus is only of limited use as a long-distance touring car. Even more so as a family shuttle or recreational vehicle on medium and short-haul routes. Because the batteries are installed in the underbody, the space on board is not impaired. In addition, the electric Proace has a payload of just under a ton or, alternatively, a trailer towing load of two tons. Which means that it does not do much worse than the diesel models that are still on offer. Above all, it has the significantly more pleasant driving characteristics: When starting up and accelerating, there is no turbo lag or shift jerking, and there are no nail sounds and vibrations. Nevertheless, the MPV cannot completely hide its commercial vehicle ancestry. On bad roads, for example, the chassis does not respond as smoothly as a car of a similar size would. And the choice of materials in the interior could also be a little nicer in view of the quite high purchase price.
The new E variant certainly does not make the diesel superfluous in the Proace and Proace Verso. For customers with the right user profile and the right charging infrastructure, however, it has a number of special advantages: Not only does it have much more modest driving characteristics, but also the certainty of not having to worry about being banned from entering city centers.
Technical data - Toyota Proace Verso Electric:
Electric van with up to 8 seats; Length: 4,95 / 5,30 meters, width: 1,92 m (with folded exterior mirrors), height: 1,90 / 1,89 meters, wheelbase: 3,28 / 3,28 meters, maximum luggage space: 4,2, 4,9 / XNUMX cubic meters
Drive: electric motor, 100 kW / 136 PS, torque: 260 Nm, automatic input, Vmax: 130 km / h, 0-100 km / h: 12,1 s (50 kW battery) / 13,3 s (75 kW battery), CO2 emissions: 0 g / km, emissions standard: Euro 6d, efficiency class A +, consumption: 25,3 - 26,6 kWh / 100 kilometers (50 kW battery) / 26,9 - 28 kWh / 100 Kilometers (75 kW battery), range: 219 km (50 kW battery) / 314 km (75 kW battery), AC charging: 11 kW onboard charger, DC charging: CCS up to 100 kW, price: from 58.530 euros (50 kWh), 64.530 euros (75 kWh)
Brief description - Toyota Proace Verso:
Why: high drive comfort, emission-free driving
Why not: moderate performance, poor long-distance suitability
What else: Peugeot e-Traveler and Co., Mercedes EQV, VW ID Buzz (2022)