Robin the LDV eDeliver 3 50kWh electric van

We recently realised we have out grown our Mitsubisi Minicab Miev 16kWh van, affectionately known as Squirrel. As we age we need a bit more room, a few extra luxuries, and easier access to and loading of our electric bikes. We also are on the limits of the range of the vehicle, with a realistic range of 70kms, and 80kms being a practical limit even driving in hyper-mile mode. There are numerous places in NZ where there is more than 80kms between chargers (Ward to Kaikoura via SH1 being the most obvious), but not many places where it is more than 120Kms (West Coast of the South Island being the last real problem area). However now we are both retired with limited savings, any expenditure has to balance our need for a good vehicle versus our limited budget.
So we made a list of our requirements and resource issues, mostly in our heads, but some can be written down.

1. Electric power, 200km range or better.
2. CCS charging, as CHADEMO is starting to get tricky
3. Preferably a van, bigger than Squirrel, but not like a Mercedes eVito or LDV EDeliver9 or EV80.
4. Air con would be nice, but electric this and that not so important.
5. A price that is very easy on the wallet, but as new as possible

We have been looking for a couple of years, and know there is very little out there in the van market, most of it has been over $70,000 until recently. A few years ago, the LDV eDeliver 3 was the best value at about $55,000, and over the last couple of years we have watched its price come down dramatically, until recently they started appearing as ex-demo models for $32,000 or so, when we started to think they could be for us. Three weeks ago we visited the LDV dealer, when a brand new van was about $32,000, and an ex demo was$30,000 but we could have it for $28,000! Two weeks ago we test drove one. A few days ago ex demo models were on TradeMe for $24,990. I asked the dealer if they could match it, otherwise I was willing to go to Auckland to get one. They came back with the same price for a brand new van with 10km on the clock, full 7 years warranty, and 8 year battery warranty. But we did have to share the on road costs with them, which added $750 or so. As a trip to Auckland would have cost me about that much in time and charging and accommodation, I was quite happy with the price. It leaves us with a few hundred to spare to customise it a little, maybe some T-Slot roof tracks for mounting solar panels, awnings, roof racks etc and a better lining inside the cargo area – the one in there is a variation on Coreflute, and much too delicate for real use.

So we pulled the trigger, and hopefully pick it up next week. Obviously there is much more to come on this saga!

We finally picked it up last Friday, 21/02/2025. As a test drive we went to Martinborough for a cheese scone and a cup of tea, then topped up the charge at Featherston on the way back, at the new Chargenet site.

It’s a pretty good drive, lots to learn about, lots to like, and a fair bit to dislike!

When we got home I went to put it on a slow charge using the supplied charger, and discovered our first problem. LDV had supplied an incorrect EVSE cable. Two problems with it. First was that it was a 16 amp cable, which we  cannot use on our domestic supply. I never thought to ask what they were supplying, so I should possibly share some of the blame for this. Secondly the plug fitted to the device was a European type E or F, with two round pins and a socket for an earth pin. Not a lot of use here in NZ. We can’t just change the plug, as we would need to use a caravan plug to handle the 16amp EVSE, and we don’t have a caravan socket, and I am not sure it is possible to change the plug legally, as it may have a temperature sensor in the plug.

As it is illegal to supply an EV with a charger/EVSE cable that isn’t suitable for use in NZ, I can’t see any problems with getting a new one.

I have spent many hours checking out the vehicle, and there are a few issues with rust proofing missing and a couple of other issues, but most of the time has been trying to work out how to carry our bikes inside without damaging the bikes or the van. Today I removed the interior panels of the cargo section and replaced some of the plastic clips in the stronger parts of the van framing with Rivnuts and M5 cap screws, to allow for attachment of extra tie downs and brackets in the future. Eventually we will replace the core flute panels with plywood panels, and all the plastic clips with rivnuts and cap screws.

So I am working hard to get it ready for carrying the bikes so we can go for our first cycling adventure. This week I hope to get T-slot roof rack tracks fitted to the roof, to allow us to use our awnings and solar panels on the van, setting us up for camping adventures. We test fitted our mattress in the van, and it looks like it is going to be very comfortable.

Since writing all the above several things have happened.
Firstly, the LDV dealer supplied us with a working legal EVSE for charging the van. The bonus is that it is the latest 10amp one from OEM Audio (EV Power).
Secondly we had the roof rails fitted, they look great and work well. I 3d printed two custom brackets for locating poles from the awning, which fit into the roof rails.

Thirdly, I removed the nasty plastic lining panels, and using them as templates made new panels out of 4mm plywood. 75 rivnuts were put into existing attachment points, and 75 M5 button head screws and washers were used to fasten the new panels in.

Lastly, we did our first road trip to Feilding for the agricultural fieldays. 275 kms, about 4 hours of driving, and 21.2kWh per 100km. It felt really good, and we only needed to charge once (but charged twice as we took a break).
More to come.