I love that you chaps always think of the various ways a vehicle might be used *including* people with a disability. Thank you. I'm not a wheelchair user but have muscle weakness so I use a folding e-bike or a walker to get around. We also have a fair sized dog so we are hoping to find something similar to this, maybe not quite as big and don't need the seven seater obviously. As you say the price is good making it just about affordable for us but just a wee bit more range would be useful, just 200 to give a buffer on a round trip in winter would do us. A holiday where we could take both of my SMV's and a large dog cage would be amazing though! Thanks again chaps, another fun review, didn't half look cold 😂
What was the range on that 2004 model? Also, the M59 was the second-best looking of the entire series.(Only beaten by the M49 series. The later ones... not so much)
Thought you may have gone to Spain to test the Megane e-Tech on their press event. Cool to see it snowing though. Hope you do get to test the Megane though love to see your & Harry's opinion on it
Just ordered one, I've currently got a 2 1/2 year old diesel one. I think its great for the kids and my rather large dog. My average daily travel is 24 miles. It makes sense to go electric for me, bye bye crazy diesel prices and hello solar panel charging he he. Hope it comes without too much delay. Just bought a zappi for it.
It looks as though it is designed better than my eNV200 40kWh which In (2019, £35k reduced to £30k), so that's quite a saving. The seating is much more flexible (you fold the single middle seat down to access the rear seats in both). I'm really impressed by how well you can fold the middle seats away. I think this probably demonstrates the advantage of the 'ground up' EV design, the eNV is only part designed that way. For access I'd be interested how high the floor is off the ground. Well done reviewing in such conditions, but I think Yorkshire folk probably consider that to be normal-to-a -bit-chilly.
I still don't know why most of the people in the mid-northern part of the UK don't use at least all-season tyres with the M+S symbol. I understand this case, of course, but in general I think we should buy them more. Unless I'm completely wrong and those are all-season tyres! But probably they would have a much better grip than those ones.
The last few cars I've bought, the first thing I budget for is changing to all weather tyres. Driven through some pretty bad snow over the years, and never been stuck. Given the price difference from a regular tyre isn't that much, its madness not to have them.
If they are using All Season tyres they want the 3 peak winter certified which might also show M+S also. I used CrossClimate on my Corsa-e but now have Michelin Alpin6 on and they are worth every penny.
All-season tyres are shit. The rubber is too soft for summer use. Do like us in the the more Northernly countries and have two sets; one of summer tyres and another of proper winter tyres.
@@norwegiangadgetman nonsense, people have changed between summer and winters for many years now and even in to ge Scottish Highlands even the All weather / all seasons like CrossClimates suit many. I have on Michelin Alpin 6 and they are fine in the Summer.
I have one. It drives and handles like a car, it takes up no more room in a car park than a hatchback. Then it becomes a van when I pop to B&Q or the tip. It's can swallow my mountain bike, or the dog and kids. It does everything. I couldn't go back to a hatch or a SUV.
My wife chose the combo e life se xl which motability are going to fit with a hoist because she has a mobility scooter that weighs significantly more than 100kgs, so range anxiety is something I’m just going to have to put up with when we eventually get it after waiting probably more than 7 months from the date of order, on the bright side I’m hoping that use of home and public charging will be at least half the cost of the petrol SUV we currently have.
I have a Peugeot partner 7 seat diesel version and love it. I would definitely consider getting one of these to replace it. You probably see me driving round Keighley in it too!
You can get one on Motability and they install a free home charger. BTW the mileage you quoted is correct around 100 miles, not what is shown on the clock. We have a hoist and carry a medium size mobility scooter in a standard 5-seat version with the back seats up.
I like everything about it except the range. As you were going through it I was thinking that could be our next car until you mentioned the range. We currently drive a 2019 Hyundai Ioniq and that range of about 170 miles which has made longer journeys so much easier (although having it stuck only charging to 90% waiting for a recall on the battery for a year is an absolute joke). It's not very practical for tip runs and loading up though. We have driven both a 24kwh leaf and a 30kwh leaf before getting the ioniq in 2019, having been driving EVs since 2014 so I'm very aware the difference the range makes on even a 120 mile journey considering you usually lose some with motorway driving. I don't think I could go back down to 100 mile range and we aren't in a position to and don't need 2 cars. But hey that would be much better than a camper leaf 🙂
The trouble is it is designed and sold as a spacious & versatile load lugger. The more batteries Citroen heap into it, the less space you have. And, of course, any vehicle designed as as an ICE car is compromised from the start if converting to electric. We have the diesel variant of the current model and it is the most useful, family friendly car out there.
@@6ettinold I get that but if you look at the ioniq it's the same look and space for the petrol and ev version. The battery is just under the car as far as I'm aware. So you'd think they could make this one in the same way with a decent range. If they or someone did one like it I'd be very interested.
Due to the nature of the modifications required to the shell for wheelchair conversions, Stelantis produce a special order version for bodybuilders with a combustion engine. This is due to the floor alterations required for wheelchair access being incompatible with the location of the battery pack in the ev.
Nice review - I'd love one of these in LWB (or the equivalent Vauxhall/Peugeot, or even a Vivaro e-life) when looking for a new car in a couple of years. The problem is that the main reason it would be useful over our daily car (e-Niro) is the huge amount of space for packing camping stuff so we can drive to remote campsites by the coast in Wales - i.e. the exact place you don't find many rapid chargers. ~100 mile real world range is a killer, so it's a very hard sell vs getting a cheap EV for local/short journey use and an ICE van for the long, load-lugging trips. Is there a 200 mile range EV MPV/7 seater van around ~£15-20k when 3 years old?
I like these boxy cars and would buy one but the range and the onboard tech needs to be closer to what the cars are offering. It will be interesting to see how it compares to the new electric Renault van MPV.
Model 3 collection day Wednesday. You might remember your daughter said it would be sensible choice over polestar on new year livestream. Any recommendations for collection day check list. 😊
My only concern with a wheelchair conversion is how well a disabled person would cope with rapid chargers. I'm able-bodied, but handling a CCS connector can be like trying to wrestle a large python. No problem if they only plan to charge at home though...
Tbh, when people talk about wheelchair conversions what they really mean is one where a wheelchair user loads via a lift in the back and is often not the driver, so the heaviness of a CCS cable doesn’t really come into it. This looks like a nice vehicle for a wheelchair passenger and a great choice for taxi firms. Don’t misunderstand me though - I’m a wheelchair user myself who often drives solo - but the WORST thing on this is the placement of the actual charge point which can be a HUGE pain in the bum. Until stuff like that is made more standard ( eg all at the front) and until charge stations start addressing accessibility properly then wheelchair users will have a hard time. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-1pmWr7Fj_XI.html
Oh my goodness - that weather was atrocious...! Well done, though, for soldiering through - proper You Tube hero status... I have a question, though - on the interior footage, I was intrigued by the 4 'plug-socket-sized' flaps mounted either side on the headlining... Any ideas what they were for...? Just curious... 🤔
I wonder how the fact theres a battery pack underneath will affect the ability for it to be converted for disabled access since the wheelchair usually sits below the boot level. I've always loved the Berlingo, it's an honest 'car', it doesn't pretend to be anything other than what it is.
The battery only starts in front of the rear axle; the space below the boot area is completely unoccupied (unless you add a spare wheel under there) so it looks eminently adaptable.
We are due to have our e Berlingo delivered to us in a couple of months via the Motobility scheme. As mentioned in the review we went for this car as we need to be able to get an electric wheelchair in and wanted to go with an EV. Based on that the options are limited at the moment. We are having an electric hoist fitted so they can be installed.
Officially Stellantis are producing special order vehicles with combustion engines for wheelchair accessibility conversions as the battery pack would be in the way of any floor modifications required forward of the rear axle.
I drive an mpv and would like an electric version. Sadly this doesn’t have the range I’d need. I don’t have the money either but it’s nice to keep an eye out for what will be on the 2nd hand market. More mpvs please.
Bigger batteries give range but would encroach on space. 5he next gen model will be designed from the start as an EV, so I reckon that'll have the space and the range
I cant see why they dont do an extended 100kw battery, there must be tons of room under the floor. I have the diesel version and love it, but for a long distance electric version I would change tomorrow
nice weather protection. you better look after it or you will be in trouble.... I think the special effects went overboard with the snow effect. the graveyard are we making a horror movie. may be see how sleeping in at night would be good test, at this warm time. at 12 minutes i thought you could return the car with the rubbish still in the back.
I have got the Vauxhall combo elite petrol automotive as my motability car the 5 seat short wheel base had it for two years now and only done 10.500 miles I would love the electric version but I live on a canal boat so charging will be my main problem. I really like the van and it does everything I need it to do. in a years time it will be time to swap or extend the lease for another 2 year it’s going to be a head scratcher that’s for certain. If charging wasn’t the problem I would go electric.
As a 2002 Peugeot Partner owner is seem to do what it says on the tin, As you said a 200 mile range would be very useful especially for a camper, nice to have rapid charging but the charging network needs to improve to make best use of that. Maybe a version with a bigger battery could be an option and extend the market beyond the school run/child minder/taxi uses. (could be an item to put on the list for the facelift version as battery energy density is rapidly increasing)
@@davidpidge They don't fold flat to the floor.. but they can be lifted out by pulling a lever, in the same way that the B9 Berlingo seats 3,4,5 can. Sadly THOSE seats do NOT lift out on the 7 seater K9 model (this one in the video)
If anyone from Citroen/Motability reads this, please consider offering optional electric memory seats and electric tailgate. Small things but they are necessities not luxuries for my wheelchair-using mother to be able to drive the car independently. The lack of them is a deal-breaker unfortunately.
Shame they have stopped making the C4 grand piccaso and never made an electric one. That was an MPV that actually looked good and was still very practical.
I had the previous model. All those roof cubby bins are standard. They are really practical vehicles but the one I had was let down by a useless 90hp engine. You didn’t mention the performance of the motor but I’m guessing it’s reasonable. The sliding doors are really practical, when you return to the vehicle carrying something you just open the door a few inches & set your stuff on the flat floor. As for getting kids strapped into car seats it’s brilliant as you’re not trying to be a contortionist around a door sticking out. I’d be interested to see the Vauxhall version & what it’s trimmed like.
Whilst the range might suit some I hope they can manufacture one with at least 2x the range. Id want to be able to make regular family seaside day trips Without having to rely on getting it charged just to get back home .
Not a chance, unfortunately. We have the diesel version of this model and it is utterly brilliant - it's the space and versatility that we and other Berlingo owners but these for. But bigger battery packs are bulky and take up space. It's an even bigger issue in a vehicle designed for an internal combustion engine. They've ditched petrol and diesel models now. My guess is the next gen model will have all that room and decent range.
@@ElectricVehicleMan Yes I know that, it costs roughly 2k more to make an EV over a ICE vehicle due to the batteries, my point is where does the extra 10.5k come from? Thanks for the reply though, I like your videos very down to earth.
@@ElectricVehicleMan he's probably not far off there dude! We've all been banging on about 'price parity' being just around the corner, for bloody years....so we SHOULD be close by now!! We NEED to be - because costs of ownership for EVs is going to start rising soon, as ICE sales fall away and fuel revenues plummet. And presumably, the incentives will dwindle away over time also...
I own a berlingo for 2 years now, and asked myself a few times why the passenger does not have a mirror in the sun visor. Until i saw the NCAP crash test.... As the berlingo has a passenger airbag that comes down from the roof, a (glass) mirror near a blowing airbag could have some negative effects... ( ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE--Va32JY2x4M.html - watch it from 0:25)
I test drove one a few months back (the 5 seat high spec version) and really liked the way it drove and the high seating position, the heads up display was excellent too. What put me off was the economy was pretty bad, not an upgrade on my Leaf 30kWh in reality. As set-up the boot is too big and rear space the passengers too small, would have been great with movable rear seat. Citroen and Peugeot versions have a weird stalk for cruise and speed limiter (VX version is on the wheel). If Stellantis improved the economy of their electric drive train (I believe they have on some models) and did a 70kWh battery I'd certainly purchase.
I would prefer if they made the driving position more live a van. The way it is, feels like normal car. As a tall guy with bad knees a suv like Enyaq is still noticeably better.
Useless 120miles to a full charge significantly lower if you had the heating on, I suppose for those nipping to the shop once a day fair enough, but load it up with 7 and luggage and head out for a day and we'll it better be a close day out.
We looked at SUV's but we already knew the Berlingo made far more sense and looked at them last. We now have the diesel version of this current model and it has twice the legroom and boot space of the various Citroen/Pug & Vauxhall SUV's that use the same platform.
They hate any form of ergonomics or storage practicality as evidenced by the complete waste of centre console storage by having nothing but fresh air. The Peugeot Rifter at least has a massive centre box with sliding covers.
This does not seem to be a ground-up EV, the heating system is more like a DIY conversion, standard ICE water heater core, piped up to an electric water heater under the bonnet. Slow and lossy. Brakes: Standard brake servo with noisy vacuum pump cycling on and off to maintain vacuum. Maybe they will revise this model and improve these things, and maybe fit a proper 'gear selector' and even a proper handbrake not a dodgy servo motor based one. This and the seats not folding flat put me off this model in its current guise.
Hmm .£30k for a "second car" is too much ... plus the 100 mile range. Is too small for a camper van which will inevitably spend much of its time in remote areas.
For a 'new' EV the range is too small to be used as a main vehicle. Not enough benefits to justify changing from my LEAF + ICE combimation. Let's see what next year brings.
I have a Kona 64kW which I drove in the snow last week. On a level road, doing about 3mph, it wouldn't stop. Slid for maybe 100 yards. Just the weight. Don't think I will be taking it out in the snow again.
@@robertmarshall4515 Two things apply, 1 Friction, 2 Inertia. You can improve 1 by having better tyres but 2 you cannot do much about. Having tyres with better road grip will reduce the range.
My old 1999 Berlingo (M49 series) is listed as 'Large Limousine' on the papers... Also, the design choices on the later versions are just horrid. Recessed headlights? Looks like a Mattell die-cast model scaled up. Horrid. Center rail on the sliding doors. Why is it even visible? It used to be nicely tucked away under the rear windows. I'd still buy it if it was capable of 350Km driving distance, and hope that I could fix some of the eyesores with a hacksaw and spackle... Oh, and learn to drive in snow conditions. That is just... embarrassing.
