LDV eDeliver 9 glides in

CHINESE brand LDV has brought Australia’s first mainstream electric delivery van to market this week with the launch of the eDeliver 9, based on the popular Deliver 9 diesel van and available in three body styles priced from $99,990 plus on-road costs for the cab-chassis model.

The three new electric models are the eDeliver 9 long wheelbase (LWB) mid roof, eDeliver 9 LWB high roof and eDeliver 9 cab chassis aimed at sole traders, small and medium enterprises, transport companies and corporate fleets that want to reduce their environmental footprint.

Among the standard feature highlight are adaptive cruise control, hill hold assist, front and rear parking sensors (front only on the cab chassis), Apple CarPlay (but not Android Auto), USB ports, under-seat storage, multi-function steering wheel and overhead storage compartments.

The cargo area features non-slip entry steps and heavy duty non-slip rubber flooring, eight tie-down points, passenger-side sliding cargo door and 236-degree opening rear barn doors.

Safety features include six airbags (front, side and side curtain) auto emergency braking, electronic stability control, lane departure warning and a wide-view rear camera (omitted from the cab chassis).

All are available in launch colours of River Blue or Blanc White.

Both vans are powered by an 88.55kWh lithium-ion battery delivering a WLTP range of 280km (mid roof) and 275km (high roof). Meanwhile, the Cab Chassis instead has a 65kWh lithium-ion battery and offers a WLTP range of 150km based on a standard box system mounted behind the cab. 

All three models have a 150kW and 310Nm permanent magnet synchronous motor delivering power to the front wheels.

Charging time for the eDeliver 9 van via a three-phase AC charger takes approximately eight hours to go from five per cent to 100 per cent full, with a maximum charge rate of 11kW (6.5 hours from five to 100 per cent for the cab chassis).

When using a DC fast charger, it takes approximately 45 minutes to go from 20 to 80 per cent charge at a maximum rate of 80kW (36 minutes for the cab chassis). All variants also have an onboard three-pin domestic charger.

The eDeliver 9 shares capacity ratings with the diesel variants, at 10.97 cubic metres for the LWB mid roof and 12.33 cubic metres in the LWB high roof.  Mid-roof payload is 1410kg and high roof is 1350kg. Braked towing capacity is 1500kg for both.

“In just two short years, the Deliver 9 carved out a solid reputation with thousands of Australian fleet owners, so we’re excited to be able to offer further choice with the arrival of the electric eDeliver 9,” said LDV general manager Dinesh Chinnappa.

“In a political sense, we have already sold EVs to last mile logistics companies such as IKEA.

“Its capacity to act as an urban delivery vehicle free of emissions, I think, is going to prove itself in a very short period of time.

“We’re expecting small volumes in the next six to 12 months, but after then, let’s watch the policy settings of our government. And that’s going to change in the next six to 12 months.”

It has been a busy week for LDV, a subsidiary of one of China’s largest car-makers, SAIC. It has launched five new or updated products as well as improved seven-year/200,000km warranty period for its diesel-powered T60 ute and new petrol-powered Mifa people mover.

2023 LDV eDeliver 9 pricing*:

*Pricing excludes on-road costs.