Alongside their eDeliver 3 electric van, Maxus have launched a brand new, large, electric van, the eDeliver 9. This replaces the old LDV EV80 & gives Maxus two electric vans in a sector that’s increasing in size month by month.
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Chinese owners SAIC, changed the name of their European van brand from LDV to Maxus in 2020 & the eDeliver 9 is their take on the large electric van.
Available in one spec, Luxury the eDeliver 9 is offered with three body lengths, three heights & three wheelbases, as well as a crew cab, chassis cab & minibus. A network of specialist converters, can also create a bespoke van to cater for needs including mobility, refrigeration & specialist cargo.
Model range
The eDeliver 9 is available in two different sizes; medium or long-wheelbase. With three battery sizes; 51.5kWh, 72kWh & 88.55kWh. With a driving range of up to 219 miles.
Charging
Using a standard 7kWh home wall box, the different versions will charge from 0-100% in 7 hours, 10 hours or 12 hours respectively. DC rapid charging allows for a 5-80% top-up to be completed in just 45 minutes.
Practicality
All variants have a cargo compartment that measures 2,062mm wide by 2,525mm high. The two load lengths offered are for medium-wheelbase model 5,546mm & fir the long-wheelbase model, 5,940mm. Cargo volume for the medium-wheelbase eDeliver 9 is 9.7 cubic metres, while the long-wheelbase model comes with a capacity 11 cubic metres. Maximum payload is up to 1,700kg.
Looks
In the flesh, the eDeliver 9 looks a lot like a Ford Transit, which has to be a compliment. So you get a large front grille, high bonnet & LED headlights, Inside, Maxus have created a cabin that in terms of quality & finish, is a million miles away from the old EV80 & is a nicer place to be than many other van in this sector. A quick walk around the outside of the van & a soft tap here & there, reveals a far more rigid panel van than offered with previous LDV’s, which should reassure potential customers that the Chinese built Maxus brand, is one to seriously consider.
Interior
There’s plenty of top notch black & chrome plastic on show & generous cabin storage, including a large glove box, deep storage space in the doors, hidden space under the bench seating, a foldable seat back with two cup holders & a built-in tablet holder. The dashboard also includes cup holder storage along with a selection of other storage options above the glove box & windscreen visor. You also get twin USB’s & mini jack port, a 12v power socket & on medium & high roof versions, overhead storage too.
Equipment
Standard equipment includes LED daytime running lights, rear parking sensors, central locking, AirCon, electric windows, a multifunction steering wheel, DAB radio with Bluetooth & an 8 direction adjustable driver’s seat.Move up to the Luxury version & this adds a 10″ touchscreen, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, LED headlights, front & rear parking sensors, a reversing camera with guide assist & no key entry & start.
The eDeliver 9 also features standard safety technology such as, lane departure warning, autonomous emergency braking, hill start assist & driver & passenger airbags.
On the road
As we mentioned, after the EV80, the dashboard comes as a bit of a shock, but in a good way, looking & feeling high end. Again, Maxus designers have cleverly utilised some of the design & layout from its competitors vans, after all, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. It not only looks good, it works well too, especially the 10″ touchscreen & Apple CarPlay, which allowed us to sync our iPhone quickly & utilise Google Maps.
The eDeliver 9 is easy to drive, offering nimble steering & a pleasantly smooth, uncharacteristic battery ride. On the motorway & once up to speed, we engaged cruise control & this allowed us to relax into the ride. The cab remained relatively quiet, with only some road noise causing us to turn the radio up a touch. Driver visibility’s good as well, with the side mirrors offering a good view of what’s behind when overtaking. The seats are comfortable & there’s a good view of the road around you.
Driving around the Warrington area, one notorious for congestion, the eDeliver 9 really started to shine, negotiating stop-start traffic & some ubiquitous road works, with aplomb. We reverse parked the van in a car park & the parking sensors & rear view camera definitely made this task easier. The one seed electric gearbox make for relaxing urban progress. The two hours we spent mimicking a van drivers journey, short motorway & urban roads, was enjoyable in the eDeliver 9.
Regeneration
The eDeliver 9 is limited to a top speed of 64mph, meaning you’ll not be tempted to push the van into battery draining territory. You can select three levels of regeneration via the gear lever, which allows you to increase or decrease the regen accordingly. The van also comes with three driving modes; Eco, Standard & Power, enabling you to conserve battery range even further or if you are carrying a heavier load or are driving in a hilly area, switch up to Power mode as required.
Pros
Only the Fiat Professional e-Ducato can match it for battery range & until Ford’s new E Transit arrives, the eDeliver 9’s range is a deal breaker. Excellent cabin build quality. Great selection of sizes & specialist conversions. Impressive ride & handling.
Cons
Not offered in quite as many variants as the e-Ducato.
Conclusion
The brand has taken care to make it as practical as it’s competition, whilst giving it a very car-like cabin, with the latest safety features & on-board tech to make it relevant. It’s light years away from the old LDV EV80 in terms of build quality & body-rigidity & should reassure any doubters that Maxus is a name worth your consideration.
4/5
