Volkswagenhas teamed up with recognised German tuning firm, ABT, to produce a new battery-powered van, but the project is altogether unconvincing…

It is called the eTransporter 6.1 and predictably uses VW’s current T6 commercial vehicle as its platform. Although there is a rich heritage of ABT producing high-performance VW and Audi derivatives, this eTransporter might appear to be an odd joint-venture (or, more to the point, misadventure).

ABT’s engineers and technicians have applied themselves with enthusiasm to the eTransporter project, but the newcomer's numbers are very underwhelming. Why? The newcomer's peak power and range statistics can only be described as disappointing. The eTransporter is powered by anelectric motorrated at only 83 kW and 200 Nm – those are rather mild numbers for a van of its size.

The lithium-ion battery pack adds weight to the Transporter, which, of course, blunts the van's performance and reduces range. VW claimsa leisurely0-100 kph time of only 17.4 secondsfor its ABT-tuned eTransporter. More troubling, however, is the battery-powered van’s optimal range(from a full charge), which totals a mere 132 km.

The eTransporter'sperformance and range will suffer further when it is fully-laden, which is exactly the purpose of any commercial van. Itsbatterycan be rechargedto 80%capacity in 45 minutesfrom a high-energy fast-charging outlet.

Priced at the equivalent of R940000, the ABT eTransporter is a rather tough sell, compared to virtually any of its own VW T6 turbodiesel siblings.

Related content:

VW to replace Up with ID.1 electric city car

VW's Electric Strategy Kicks off in SA

Volkswagen's EV plans for SA

EV Apocalypse is Closer Than You Think