New 2021 Toyota Proace Electric: specifications confirmed

Toyota has announced European specifications for its first electric panel van - the new Proace and Proace Verso Electric, which will shortly be on sale in the UK. 

Both vans are mechanically identical to the Peugeot e-Expert and Citroen e-Dispatch, sharing the same platform, battery packs and an identical electric motor system. The entry-level Toyota Proace Electric compact is powered by a 50kWh battery pack, which provides a maximum range of 143 miles. A longer-range version with a 75kWh cell can achieve 205 miles on a full charge.

Both battery versions of the van support 100kW DC rapid charging. The 50kWh battery can take on an 80 percent charge in around 32 minutes, while the larger unit takes roughly 48 minutes to reach the same charge level. 

All models also come with a 7.4kW single-phase onboard charger and a six metre Type 2 cable as standard, although a faster 11kW onboard charger can be specced as an optional extra. The van’s electrical system is also compatible with a 32A wallbox charger.

The front axle mounted electric motor has a maximum output of 134bhp and 260Nm, although this can be dialled back to either 80bhp and 190Nm or 107bhp and 210Nm by selecting the van’s Eco or Normal drive modes.

With its most powerful setting engaged, the Proace Electric can get from 0–62mph in 13.1 seconds and reach an electronically limited top speed of 81mph. 

Compact, Medium and Long body versions of the van are offered. The smallest variant has a maximum load volume of 4.6 cubic metres and can carry items up to 2.16 metres long. However, with Toyota’s optional Smart Cargo system equipped, these figures increase to 5.1 cubic metres and 3.32 metres.

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The Medium version has a maximum volume of 5.3 cubic metres, while the Long variant can accommodate 6.1 cubic metres. The optional Smart Cargo system also improves both of these figures by 0.5 cubic metres. Payload stands at one tonne for all versions. 

Toyota hasn’t yet confirmed details on the Proace Electric’s UK line-up, but the European line-up consists of Base, Comfort and Comfort Plus trim levels. 

Comfort trim vans will come as standard with air conditioning, a seven-inch infotainment system and a 3.5-inch screen for the gauge cluster, for presenting info like battery charge level and remaining driving range.

Every model comes as standard with Toyota’s Safety Sense package, which adds items such as a pre-collision system and pedestrian detection. Buyers will also have a range of optional extras to choose from, such as front and rear parking sensors, a blind-spot monitoring system and a 180-degree rear-view camera.

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Toyota will also launch a range of people-carrying Proace Verso EVs, with varying amounts of seats and equipment. A UK market launch has not yet been confirmed. 

The Proace Verso Electric Combi minibus is joined by the Proace Verso Electric Shuttle, designed less for commercial use and more for private transport. It has seating for nine, along with automatic headlamps, front fog lamps, body-coloured bumpers, rear privacy glass and electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors.

Buyers get the same seven-inch infotainment system as the panel van, although Toyota now offers a few more optional extras to support the system, such an eight-speaker stereo system. Rear air conditioning can also be selected.

There’s also a model called Proace Verso Electric Family. It has an eight-seat layout, with sliding and removable rear seats. The rear bench seats also have a 60:40 split across both rows, while second row passengers get folding tables mounted on the front seat backs. All six rear seats also get Isofix child seat anchor points.

At the top of the line-up, there’s the Proace Verso Electric VIP. Designed as an executive shuttle, it comes with heated front seats, rotating captain-style rear chairs and a folding rear table. Other standard equipment includes puddle-lighting, keyless entry and start, rear parking sensors and power-operated rear sliding doors, which can be operated remotely using either the key-fob or buttons on the dashboard.

Now read all the latest news on the Toyota Proace Electric’s chassis sibling, the Peugeot e-Expert…