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There is no denying that the vehicle world is going through its largest revolution in many years. Technology has now completely changed our vehicles and the electric car is certainly a legitimate rival to the standard option. The rapid improvement in electric power has meant that many people have completely missed the introduction of electric vans to the market and therefore may be missing out on a great opportunity.
Still, diesel vans are very reliable and engine design has now improved so much that even these vans are drastically more eco-friendly than they once were. This makes the decision of choosing the right van for you incredibly difficult. So, sit back and read this blog to find out which model of the Citroen Relay Dropside is best for you.
The Citroen Relay was built as a joint venture with vehicle manufacturers Peugeot and Fiat. Peugeot has the Boxer and Fiat has the Ducato. Don’t be fooled by different names though, these three vans are in fact exactly the same.
So, which is better, the electric or diesel option?
Engines and Spec
The diesel option for the Citroën Relay uses the 2019 2.2-litre BlueHDi engines, which were brought in to comply with the Euro 6.2 emissions standards. These engines are tried and tested and considered by many to be incredibly reliable. They are also very powerful and have a brilliant all-round reputation. In terms of power, the engine comes with two different options. There’s the slightly less capable 120hp model which kicks out 310 Nm of torque and there’s the faster 140hp option which produces 340 Nm of torque.
Both of these engines should provide you with plenty of power to transport a heavy load of cargo with relative ease. The van is incredibly light for its size and capability, which means the power these engines provide is more than enough. There are many other vans on the market that are similar in size but have far less power in comparison.
As for the electric model, it is slightly down on power compared with its diesel cousin. The 90kW motor produces 122hp, which is just above the lowest power option with the diesel variant. However, the motor will allow the van to achieve 68 mph, which is fairly commendable for such a large electric vehicle.
Interior
As you might expect with a modern van, both the electric and the diesel variant of the Citroen Relay Dropside have impeccable interiors. The cab in both vehicles is modern and sleek, with brilliant storage and great comfort throughout.
The driving position in both of these vans is very similar, and that’s not a bad thing at all. In fact, drivers of these vans will notice the brilliant position as soon as they sit in the seat. There is great visibility and the blind spots are far better than in many other large vans. It really is as close to driving a car as you can get in a high-payload vehicle.
The technology within the cabs is also extremely similar, as they both come with a digital media display which shows the songs you’re playing if you connect your phone to the system. This is, of course, very welcome on those slow Monday morning commutes!
The storage within these vans is another great selling as there is a brilliant mix of both open and secure storage throughout. Therefore, you can have room to store your non-valuable items all while leaving space for laptops, phones and wallets elsewhere. Certainly, if it’s the interior of a van that sells it for you, then both the electric and diesel variants of the Citroën Relay Dropside will certainly fit the bill.
The Verdict/Snap shot
So, both these vans are pretty similar then, with the one obvious difference so far being the power options. Of course, when it comes to the electric model, you will compromise somewhat with the range capabilities. The electric model can achieve 154 miles on one charge, which for an electric van is incredibly impressive. However, there is no hiding from the fact that this is far less than the diesel option and you’re relying on a fast charger being nearby when you run low.
Though there are, of course, some huge benefits to an electric vehicle when it comes to running costs. For starters, you won’t need to pay any road tax until at least 2025. Then there’s ultra-low emission zones and congestion charges from which you will be exempt and on top of all that, it’s completely free to charge when you’re near a public charger!
The final point we should mention before we leave you to make your decision is the payload. It’s possibly one of the van industry’s worst-kept secrets that the diesel option of this vehicle has an extremely impressive payload. The diesel Relay Dropside will handle 1,235 kg of weight, which is quite frankly staggering. However, the electric option is very capable on the payload front as well!
After all is said and done, your decision will come down to the practicality of owning an electric vehicle in your area and whether the economic benefits outweigh the power deficit. However, whichever option you choose here at Vanaways, we are here to help. Feel free to pick up the phone and get in touch with us today! We are experts when it comes to all things vans, so we can certainly help you make the right decision for you.
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