NO ENGINE - NO COMPROMISE (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

Citroen's improved e-Berlingo van is often a go-to choice in the market for small full-battery LCVs. Jonathan Crouch finds out why.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 57

Citroen's e-Berlingo aims to set the standard for small EV vans. All the figures seem to stack up - and it's a little more affordable than some obvious rivals too. But the price premium to switch to electric still requires serious thought. This Citroen though, might reward operators prepared for just that. Especially in this improved form.

Backgroundword count: 117

For decades now, Citroen's Berlingo has been one of the market's go-to choices when it comes to small vans. Appropriately then, it was one of the very first to be offered in full-electric form, the resulting e-Berlingo model matching the usability of its diesel counterpart. This Stellantis Group shared design replicates what you can also have with full-electric versions of the Peugeot Partner, the Vauxhall Combo, the Fiat Doblo and the Toyota Proace City. But Citroen hopes that decades of LCV experience with its dealer network will give it an advantage when operators are making up their minds. It's billed as an electric van with no compromise. Is it? Let's check this improved model out and see.

Driving Experienceword count: 340

So what's it like? Well you sit quite high and pressing the start button gets you a beep and a green ready message on the display ahead. You're ready: for van motoring electric-style. As usual with Citroen EVs, the e-Berlingo offers three driving modes - 'ECO', 'Normal' and 'Power'. You won't want to spend too long in 'ECO', unless you really are eeking out battery capacity because it reduces the powertrain's normal 134bhp output to just 80bhp and also restricts the climate system to conserve power. Citroen recommends that you do most of your driving in the 'Normal' setting, which increases the motor output to 107bhp. The top 'Power' mode isn't really intended for sporty driving but for situations when you're carrying heavy loads. The powertrain also has a 'B' setting which increases the level of regenerative braking to a point where the car slows so much when you come off throttle that you'll very rarely need to use the brake, unless you're coming to a complete stop. And there's a regenerative braking system that can now be activated at three different levels using steering wheel paddles. You need that B setting to get anywhere near the now-improved official driving range, which thanks to an enhanced 52kWh battery is now claimed at 205 miles. Like all electric vehicles, this one has a bit of a weight problem - that drivetrain adds over 300kgs of bulk, but that arguably helps the e-Berlingo when it comes to ride quality; you'll feel things like speed humps keenly, but at speed on the open road, it handles tarmac tears a little better than its diesel cousin. This e-Berlingo feels really at home in an urban environment and you'll feel really confident in it because the steering is light and the suspension deals with poorer surfaces quite well. Even with the 'Power' mode engaged, the rest to 62mph sprint takes 11.7s and the top speed is restricted to just 81mph, so this EV won't be as good as its diesel counterpart for extended motorway runs.

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