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The all-electric Ford E-Transit has been named What Car? Van of the Year at the consumer title’s annual Van and Commercial Vehicle Awards, held in association with Quotezone.co.uk.
Judges praised the E-Transit’s long electric range of up to 196 miles, its effortless acceleration, and the fact that it can carry larger payloads than rivals while saving buyers potentially thousands of pounds in running costs.
In addition to taking the overall Van of the Year accolade, the Ford E-Transit was named Best Electric Van and Best Large Van.
The Ford Transit is Britain’s most popular large van, with more than 25,000 having been sold between January and September this year alone. Since production of the original Transit began in 1965, more than three million have been sold in the UK, spanning multiple versions and generations.
In 2021, sales of electric vans were up by 261.8% compared with the previous year, representing a market share of close to 8.5%.
What Car? Vans Editor Darren Moss said: “The Ford E-Transit represents a watershed moment for electric vans. With a configuration available to suit most businesses, performance that will help you keep pace with the cut and thrust of urban traffic or get up to motorway speeds quickly, and a long electric range, the E-Transit leads in just about every area.”
The 2023 What Car? Van and Commercial Vehicle Awards recognised winners across 10 categories, ranging from small and large vans to pick-up trucks and campervans.Other winners for the 2023 Awards included the Dacia Duster Commercial, which won Best Commercial SUV for its mix of value and practicality, and the Toyota Hilux, which was named as the Best Commercial Pick-Up for its go-anywhere load-lugging ability.
Aside from the Ford E-Transit, other electrified winners included the hybrid Toyota Corolla Commercial, which was named as the Best Car-based Van, and the fully electric Volkswagen ID Buzz, which took the title of Best Van-based MPV.
What Car? editor Steve Huntingford said: “This year’s winners show that electric models are catching up with, and even surpassing in some cases, their mainstream rivals. Working vehicles need to be as easy to live with as possible, and our winners show that whether you’re in need of something big or small, electric or combustion-engined, there are fantastic options out there to suit every budget.”
Greg Wilson, CEO and Founder of van insurance comparison site Quotezone.co.uk said: “We're excited to be the headline sponsor of this year’s What Car? Van and Commercial Vehicle Awards. As the UK's first, and longest running van insurance price comparison platform, we compare more van insurance providers than any other website.
“Vans and van drivers are a vital part of our economy. We've witnessed a surge in new businesses throughout the pandemic – with those starting up their own ventures or adding courier and delivery services to existing enterprises. Now with the cost-of-living crisis causing an increase in van costs as fuel and repair prices soar, it’s vital that people choose the right van that meets their needs.”
What Car? has more than 75 van and pick-up reviews on its dedicated van and commercial vehicle hub, while its video reviews, fronted by ex-Wheeler Dealers presenter, mechanic and inventor, Edd China, have racked up more than 2.8 million views to date.
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Furrows Limited are a credit broker and not a lender. We are Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. FRN 688547. We can introduce you to a selected panel of lenders, which include manufacturer lenders linked directly to the franchises that we represent. We act as an Agent for the Lenders and we would introduce you firstly to the manufacturer lender linked directly to the particular franchise who are usually able to offer the best available package to suit your needs. If they are unable to make you an offer of finance, we then seek to introduce you to the next best offer of finance from another lender on our panel. Our aim is to secure the best deal for you with your eligibility. Lenders typically pay a fixed commission to us for the introduction, calculated by reference to the vehicle model or amount you borrow but this does not affect the interest charged on the finance agreement, which is set by the lender. If you ask us what the amount of commission is, we will tell you in good time before the finance agreement is executed. All finance applications are subject to status. Furrows Limited are appointed representatives of Assurity Solutions Limited. This company is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, with FCA authorisation number 517510. Permitted activities include advising on and arranging general insurance contracts.
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