Volkswagen has opened the order books for the new Transporter eHybrid, marking the first time the Transporter has been offered with plug-in hybrid power.

The new Transporter eHybrid combines a 2.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor and an 11.8kWh battery, producing 232hp through a CVT automatic transmission.

That’s enough to give the Transporter an electric-only range of up to 35 miles, while the battery can be recharged from 0-100% in 4.5 hours using a 3.7kW AC charger.

Volkswagen Transporter eHybrid PHEV panel van

For those not ready to move to a fully electric model, the eHybrid gives the Transporter a useful halfway house, with electric driving for shorter trips and urban work, and petrol backup for longer routes or less predictable days.

In an early drive of the new model, Professional Van saw 94.6mpg over an hour of driving. The battery wasn’t full at the start, sitting at roughly 80%, yet still delivered 23 miles of electric driving, which suggests something close to 29 miles should be realistic from a full charge in similar conditions.

The Panel Van version offers a payload of up to 1,132kg and a towing capacity of 2,300kg, keeping it relevant for operators who still need proper working capability.

As well as the Panel Van, the eHybrid powertrain is also available in the Kombi crew-van version.

The eHybrid joins the wider seventh-generation Transporter line-up, which includes diesel and electric options, giving Volkswagen a broader spread of powertrains than most rivals.

Prices for the Panel Van eHybrid run from £38,155 excluding VAT for the Commerce Plus SWB to £51,975 for the Sportline LWB. Kombi versions start from £39,535 excluding VAT.

The Transporter eHybrid also gets Volkswagen’s 5+ Promise package at no extra cost. For diesel and eHybrid models, this includes five services, three MOTs, a five-year warranty and five years’ roadside assistance.

Phil Huff
Latest posts by Phil Huff (see all)
Published on