Europe’s largest commercial vehicle show is currently taking place in Hannover (16 to 22 September). In addition to important new products from manufacturers in the field of vans, suppliers such as tyre manufacturers and even logistics players are also showing what they think the future of transport has to offer. A striking detail is the arrival of electric vans in all shapes and sizes, and not only by the usual suspects such as VW, which is showing the new generation Transporter, but also less obvious players such as KIA are showing a real range of vans that are on the way. It is interesting to see that most manufacturers are open to electric drives, but at the same time there is also a certain pluralism in terms of drive type, because classic combustion engines are not forgotten and there is no question of an ‘electric only’ strategy as we have seen in the automotive world in recent years. There is even room for alternative solutions, because Renault, for example, is fitting a hydrogen drive in its vans…
Maxus eTerron9 pick-up
The eTerron9 is a logical step for the Chinese manufacturer (part of the SAIC group) because it is one of the leading brands in the field of electric vans on the (Asian) domestic market. This new electrically powered pick-up is particularly powerful with a system power of over 325 kW, thanks to a 200 kW (272 hp) electric motor on the rear axle and a 125 kW (170 hp) model on the front axle. Both engines are powered by an equally generously sized battery with a capacity of 102 kWh, good for a (WLTP) driving range of up to 430 km. This eTerron9 naturally has a classic loading platform as we are used to from pick-ups. There is also a large frunk of 236 litres at the front, which is very handy because you often have a problem in an open pick-up to be able to store expensive luggage securely.
Kia unveils full-size LCV range
In Hannover, KIA unveils major plans to launch a full-fledged van range on European soil. The new models use the PVB (Platform Beyond Vehicle) concept, a modular base on which various electrically powered light commercial vehicles can be built. In the first phase, there will be two models, the PV5 and the PV7. All models can be charged from 10 to 80% in 30 minutes using a powerful fast charger. Concepts showing a classic PV H1L1 van, a derivative version for passenger transport and an H2L1 version with a raised roof will be on display at the KIA stand. The PV7 is larger and offers extra loading volume in particular. Kia promises to launch these models from the summer of 2025.
VW unveils new Bulli
The seventh generation VW Transporter is one of the main novelties at the IAA. Volkswagen will now be working with Ford for the development and assembly of this VW as part of the alliance that was started with the American car giant. This new Transporter will no longer be built in Poland or Germany, but will roll off the assembly line at the assembly plant in Kocaeli (Turkey). The cheapest version (2.0 diesel with 110 hp) of the Transporter will cost 40,524 euros including VAT, which is around €2,000 more expensive than the outgoing (6.1) model.
Toyota sees it big
On the occasion of the IAA, most LCV brands are showing their renewed range. For Toyota, it is mainly about expanding the range. For example, a wider range of compact Proace models, including a Verso passenger car version, will be available at the bottom of the line-up. Other big news is that Toyota is also expanding its range upwards with a large van above the Proace, the Proace Max. The latter may be new for Toyota, but the model is rather dated at its core, as the platform has been on the market for a decade and a half. After all, it shares its base with the large Peugeot Boxer and the Citroën Jumper. What is striking is the service that Toyota wants to offer its professional customers. After all, there will be specific service centres where Toyota Pro customers can enjoy a fast service with a replacement vehicle in the event of technical immobilisation, and these customers are also entitled to the Toyota warranty of up to 10 years.
Piaggio Porter electric
Piaggio is an Italian player that belongs to the group that also includes Vespa, Moto Guzzi and Aprilia in the motorcycle world. Piaggio also has a tradition in compact vans, which once started with the Ape, the cheerful three-wheeler that was powered by a compact two-stroke engine from the Vespa scooters. Piaggio also has slightly larger trucks in the Porter series, for which it has established a partnership with Daihatsu for decades. The Porter NP6 is getting an upgrade today with a modified look, extra comfort and more driver assistance systems. The Porter is now also entitled to a fully electric drive. This is important because such mini trucks are often used in cities and parks because of their legendary manoeuvrability.
Ford shows alternative powertrains at IAA
Ford is coming to the IAA with an alternative drive for the sturdy Ranger. It is now eligible for a plug-in hybrid engine that uses the 2.3-liter EcoBoost petrol engine in combination with a 75 kW electric motor that draws power from an 11.8 kWh battery. The system output is 279 hp, but more important is the engine torque of 690 Nm, which makes this Ranger the ultimate workhorse. With a fully charged battery, the Ranger can travel up to 45 km without emissions. Ford is also showing more full electric versions of the Transit models in Germany. There is no electric-only strategy because there are also PHEV drives in the van range.
Renault Estafette Concept and hydrogen-powered vans
It’s busy at the Renault stand in Hannover, not least because the brand new Renault Master has just been voted ‘Van of the Year 2025’. So today Renault is not only the title holder in the ‘Car of the Year’ category with the Scenic E-Tech Electric engine, the French brand is also setting the standard for vans. Such awards do not mean that the R&D department is given a rest, because on the stand we discover a beautiful neo-retro version of the Estafette of yesteryear. This is a concept version of a van for the city with the dimensions of a long Kangoo, the manoeuvrability of, say, a Clio and the loading capacity of a Trafic L1H2. It is a purely electrically powered vehicle because the city is to become its natural habitat. In addition to electric drive, Renault is also showing its expertise in the field of hydrogen. After all, there is a prototype of the Master that is equipped with a fuel cell (co-developed with HYVIA) and an electric motor. This results in a zero-emission van with a range of 700 km that can also be refueled in 5 minutes.
