Review of the Citroen e-Relay

The Citroen e-Relay is an all-electric van panel van that's ideal for businesses of all sizes. It's available in three lengths, offers up to 15 cubic metres of load space, and has a range of up to 139 miles. 

Rivals to the e-Relay include the Ford E-Transit, Mercedes-Benz eSprinter, Maxus Deliver 9 Electric, and Fiat e-Ducato. 

Our Citroen e-Relay review covers:

• Large body with a slick front grille 
• Practical interior that's easy to clean
• Load volume ranges from 11.5m3 - 15m3
• 121bhp electric motor powered by either a 37 or 75kWh battery
• One trim available

Pros:

• Two batteries available 
• Good payload 
• Three body sizes available

Cons:

• Not much kit as standard 
• Dated cabin 
• Poor performance

The design of the e-Relay is pretty sleek. Up front, there's a low front grille which is complemented by slick LED lights; on the side, there are black air bumps; and the rear has two large opening doors. 

Inside the e-Relay, there's plenty of room for two passengers so they're not brushing shoulders. The driver's seat has a good amount of adjustment available, and there's loads of storage, such as large bins on the dash in front of the passenger. 

The e-Relay is Citroen's largest electric van, so it is great for businesses that need to transport lots of cargo. It's available in three lengths which range from 3,100mm to 4,0170mm, and provide a load volume of 11.5m3 to 15m3.

The payload also varies depending on the length you choose. The smallest L2 can carry up to 1,070kg, the middle L3 up to 740kg, and the longest L4 up to 1,150kg.

The inside of the e-Relay is more suited towards practicality than luxury. The dashboard and buttons are plastic, while the seats are fabric instead of leather. Although this might not sound great, the cabin is easy to clean. If you're looking for a premium edge, go for the Ford E-Transit or Mercedes e-Sprinter. 

The e-Relay features a seven-inch infotainment system with DAB radio, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, integrated satellite navigation, Bluetooth, and a USB socket. There's also a normal instrument cluster that's the same as in the regular Relay, but only the speedometer works, as all the other needles have been removed. 

The e-Relay comes with just one trim level, Enterprise. 

It has 16-inch steel wheels, halogen headlights, manual air conditioning, a reach adjustable steering wheel, tinted windows, a nearside sliding side door, a driver's seat with height/rake/lumbar and reach adjustment, emergency braking assist, anti-lock braking, and power steering. 

The e-Relay is powered by a 121bhp electric motor that's paired with either a 37 or 75kWh battery. The battery you get depends on your chosen length; L2 gets the 37kWh unit, while L3 and L4 get the 75kWh one. 

The smaller battery returns up to 73 miles of range, while the 75kWh unit increases it to 154 miles. This is decent but still falls short of the Fiat e-Ducato and Ford E-Transit. 

However, both units have a charging capacity of up to 50kW, meaning you can charge the battery from 0-80% in an hour. 

It also comes standard with an automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. 

The e-Relay gets the job done on the road, but don't expect much excitement. It accelerates slowly from a low speed, which is unusual for an EV, meaning getting up to motorway speeds can be tricky. On the bright side, it means that your cargo won't be thrown around in the rear. 

Its ride quality is good and makes for a comfortable journey, and even as you up the speed on a country road, the e-Relay handle's itself well with a minimum amount of body roll. 

Prices for the new Citroen e-Relay start from £59,382.00 OTR* or to lease from Price On Request per month.

Looking to get behind the wheel of the Citroen e-Relay? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is one of the UK's largest van leasing brokers and offers a range of leasing deals to suit your every need.

Leasing may be cheaper than an outright purchase, thanks to a low initial deposit and fixed monthly rentals.

*' On the road' price correct at time of publication and includes one year's road fund license, DVLA first registration fee and number plate fee. Prices are subject to change; always check with your nearest retailer.