Citroen e-Dispatch review
In a market full of cookie-cutter electric vans, does the Citroen E-Dispatch do anything to stand out from its rivals?
There’s a good chance you’ve already seen this van, although it might have been wearing a Vauxhall badge. The Citroen e-Dispatch is one of a quintet of vans built by LCV behemoth Stellantis, the overlord of Citroen, Fiat, Peugeot and Vauxhall, and thanks to a licensing agreement, the Toyota range of vans.
There’s not much to choose between them, and many of the prices are identical, so each brand has tried to infuse some of its own culture into each model. For this mid-sized van, that’s a bit tricky, as there’s no significant difference once you’ve got past the nose.
Still, it’s a fresh nose, installed during a recent facelift, and leads you inside where there are more changes. But is a mild update enough to keep it competitive against the Ford E-Transit Custom, Mercedes eVito or even the Maxus eDeliver 7?
Design, interior, and technology
All of the changes to the e-Dispatch are at the front of the van, where Citroen has done what it can to lean into the brand’s new-found confidence in its French history. It’s not leaned too hard, though — only the new old-style badge gives much away, and that’s surrounded by a sleek dark bar that leads to headlights with square LED daytime running lights.
For such a minor update, the effect is significant. The basic design of the van might be nine years old now, but it still looks reasonably fresh.
Inside, the changes are more impactful. The dated dashboard has been replaced with a cleaner, more modern design. Dominating the cabin is a 10-inch infotainment screen, standard across the range, supported by a lightly configurable digital instrument cluster.
Smartphone connectivity is seamless, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto included as standard. Higher-spec Driver models also offer built-in navigation and Dynamic Surround View, which integrates a digital rear-view mirror with a side-view camera feed to improve visibility. It’s a neat touch, and improves rear visibility significantly, although viewing angles can complicate tight urban manoeuvres.
One minor but welcome improvement is a larger, more practical phone tray with a nearby USB port. Ordinarily, that’s not something to get excited about, but it fixes a niggling bugbear on the outgoing model.
The cabin’s biggest flaw remains the offset driving position, where the pedals and steering wheel don’t quite align. Despite adjustable seating, lumbar support, and a tilt-and-reach steering column, it’s hard to find a truly comfortable setup, which mars an otherwise well-designed cabin.
Citroen e-Dispatch battery, motor, and performance
Citroen fits a 75kWh battery pack to the e-Dispatch, dropping the old 50kWh model. With 68kWh of usable capacity, it promises a range of 194–230 miles under WLTP conditions, depending on the van’s configuration. In real-world use, with a moderate 250kg load on board, the van returned 2.4 miles per kWh, equating to around 163 miles. That’s respectable, if not class-leading.
Charging is straightforward, with 100kW DC rapid charging capable of taking the battery from 5% to 80% in just 45 minutes.
The electric motor, producing 134bhp and 192lb ft of torque, provides brisk initial acceleration but tapers off quickly, but it’s fine for city driving. Three driving modes limit power to extend the range, but Power unlocks everything and lets you extract maximum performance.
The van’s car-derived chassis — the underpinnings are fundamentally the same as you’ll find under a Vauxhall Mokka or Citroen C4 — delivers strong road manners, with precise steering and minimal body roll. Its low centre of gravity, thanks to the battery placement, enhances stability. It’s quite a surprise, and a very pleasant one.
Payload and practicality
The updated e-Dispatch doesn’t improve on the old model’s load-carrying capabilities, but that was always pretty good. Both short and long-wheelbase versions can handle a tonne of cargo, which compares well with its mainstream rivals, although the Maxus eDeliver 7 claims a 1,200kg limit.
Cargo volume is midfield, too, with the smaller L1 model offering 5.3m³ and the larger L2 providing 6.1m³. Thanks to a high-roof option missing from the e-Dispatch, the eDeliver 7 can take as much as 8.7m3 in the back.
For longer loads, the L1 accommodates up to 2,512mm, while the L2 stretches to 2,862mm. That’s shorter than the E-Transit Custom, Renault Trafic E-Tech and the eDeliver 7, so if long loads are your thing, you might want to look elsewhere.
While the cargo bay provides pros and cons, there’s no doubting the ease of access, with sliding doors on both sides and barn-style rear doors as standard. This dual-side approach is more flexible than Ford’s single-side sliding door setup.
Citroen e-Dispatch price and specification
With a starting price of £41,210 plus VAT and OTR costs for a short-wheelbase Enterprise model, the e-Dispatch is competitively priced. Incredibly competitive — it’s the same price as its Fiat and Peugeot siblings, to the Pound. Oddly, it undercuts the Vivaro Electric, although not by much. It also undercuts rivals like the Ford E-Transit Custom and disruptors such as the Maxus eDeliver 7.
Opting for the XL variant to increase cargo space adds just £800, while upgrading to the plusher Driver spec adds £2,675.
The entry-level Enterprise trim is well-equipped, featuring the 10-inch infotainment system, smartphone integration, air conditioning, cruise control, and key safety features like rear parking sensors. Moving to the Driver model introduces navigation, a fold-flat passenger seat, a load-through bulkhead for longer items, and the Dynamic Surround View camera.
While the van is good value compared to its peers, the electric model is roughly £14,000 more than its diesel equivalent. Lower running costs and exemption form congestion and clean air zone charges help offset the premium, but you’ll need to cover significant mileage to see a financial return on your investment.
Verdict
The updated Citroen e-Dispatch remains a strong contender in the medium eLCV segment but faces tougher competition than ever. While its payload capacity and pricing stand out, newer models like the Ford E-Transit Custom and Maxus eDeliver 7 are raising the bar for practicality and driving comfort.
For businesses prioritizing cost-effective electric mobility, the e-Dispatch offers a compelling package. It’s not perfect, with its driving position and comparatively small load area being notable drawbacks, but it’s far from being left behind.
Citroen e-Dispatch Driver M L1H1
- Price: £43,885 exc VAT, OTR and PiVG
- Powertrain: front-motor, front-wheel-drive
- Battery: 68kWh
- Power: 134bhp
- Torque: 192lb ft
- Top speed: 81mph
- 0-62mph: 14.3 seconds
- Range: 194–230 miles
- Consumption: 2.35-2.7m/kWh
- Charging: up to 100kW