Costs & verdict
Everyday costs, plus how reliable and safe it is
The VN5 has a WLTP-certified range of 61 miles on a fully-chagred battery, but with the range-extender engine also working to constantly top up the battery, that range increases to 304 miles total. CO2 emissions are rated at 21g/km, and fuel economy from the petrol engine at 314mpg. The VN5 can recharge in as little as 30 minutes using a 50kW charging point, and can use both CCS and Chademo connections. Using a 7kW wall charger, the total charge time increases to a little less than four hours.
But here’s the rub: the VN5 is an expensive van, and even with the government’s grant for plug-in vans takeninto account, you’ll pay far more than you would for one of its electric rivals.
On the other hand, a full charge can be very cheap, depending on your tariff, and the VN5 can cover more miles – and therefore make more deliveries – than rivals, with less downtime for charging. You might find that these numbers add up for your business.
It’s certain, though, that the VN5 won’t leave you wanting for kit. The basic Business version comes with dual-zone climate control, the touchscreen infotainment system we mentioned earlier, two USB ports, keyless start and a DAB radio as standard, plus cruise control and an automatic emergency braking system that can recognise pedestrians and cyclists. City models add a heated windscreen, front and rear parking sensors and a safety pack that includes lane-departure warning and an intelligent speed limiter, while range-topping Ultima models come with sat-nav, a rear-view camera and heated front seats.
The VN5 comes with a five-year, 150,000-mile warranty for the vehicle, and an eight-year, 150,000-mile warranty for the battery. Service intervals are every 25,000 miles.
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