The all-new Citroen Berlingo Electric makes its UK debut on the Citroen stand at the CV Show.
The new Citroen Berlingo Electric, which goes on sale later this year, builds on Citroen’s market experience with electric LCVs, gained with the first generation Berlingo Electrique van, launched in 1998 and on sale until 2005.
The new Berlingo Electric incorporates the latest electric vehicle technology. Its advanced; permanent magnet synchronous 49kW electric motor and 22.5kWh lithium ion battery pack gives the Berlingo Electric (as tested in accordance with the New European Driving Cycle) a range, of up to 106 miles (170Km). Top speed is 68.75mph (110km/h).
Using a domestic socket, the vehicle can be fully charged in around 12 hours; alternatively, it can be charged to 80% of capacity in only 35 minutes using a specific 380V three-phase terminal in quick-charge mode.
Thanks to the Berlingo being designed to be an electric vehicle from the outset, its load compartment space is not reduced by battery intrusion. The Berlingo Electric’s electric motor is positioned under the bonnet and the lithium-ion battery pack is located underneath the load deck. This means the Berlingo Electric’s load compartment cube of 3.3m3 (extendable to 3.7m3)/load deck length of 1.8m (extendable to 3.0m) and payload of 636kg are equivalent to that of a similar diesel-powered Berlingo van.
The Berlingo Electric has a total lithium ion battery capacity of 22.5kWh – made up of 80 x 3.75V cells, each with a capacity of 75ah. Its permanent magnet synchronous electric motor, which produces 49kW (66hp), with a peak torque of 200Nm, developed between 0 – 1,500rpm, drives the front wheels through a speed reducer and a single-ratio gearbox. In energy recovery phases (deceleration & braking) the electric motor acts as a generator.
Based on the Berlingo LX model the Berlingo Electric is well equipped, with a specification that includes:
– ABS, EBD and EBA
– Hill Start Assist coupled to the ESP system
– air conditioning and an electric heating system with an eco-mode to limit energy consumption
– driver’s airbag
– RDS stereo radio/MP3 compatible CD player
– remote central locking with deadlocks
– electric front windows
– electrically adjustable/heated door mirrors
– three seat Extenso® modular cabin
– nearside sliding side load door
The Berlingo Electric’s instrumentation also includes a number of specific features, including Eco-driving information; an energy consumption/regeneration indicator; an instantaneous energy consumption gauge and an auxiliaries consumption gauge, which displays data on heating, air conditioning and other secondary power usage.
When the battery charge falls to 20% of its total useable capacity, a warning light comes on and the power sent to the heating and air conditioning systems is gradually reduced. Then, when the battery charge level further falls to 10% of the total useable capacity, a “tortoise” light comes on – the power supply is limited and the air conditioning and heating systems are turned off to extend the vehicle’s range.
Pricing will start at £21,300 +VAT, full specification and pricing details of the Berlingo Electric will be announced nearer to its UK on-sale date.
Citroen is also launching a number of other new LCV products at the CV Show, including the Dispatch HDi 125 L1H1 1200 6-seat Crew Van and Stop & Start equipped Relay vans. Citroen is continuing its ‘Citroen Vans – Business Class’ theme.
