IAA Transportation 2026 New Electric Vans from Renault, Kia, and Farizon

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FAULHABER Drive Systems

Renault, Kia, and Farizon are showcasing new electric commercial vehicles in Hanover featuring 800-volt technology and a range of up to 600 kilometers (373 miles). High diesel prices are providing additional momentum for the shift toward electric vehicles.

While the passenger car market now offers an electric vehicle to suit nearly every driving profile, commercial vehicle customers still tend to hold on to the perception of short ranges, long charging times, and high prices. Yet technology in the commercial vehicle sector has made significant strides. The IAA Transportation in Hanover, running through September 20, demonstrates just how far this technology has come.

The selection of models—which are also significantly more advanced in terms of powertrain technology—is growing, especially among small and midsize vans. The IAA is the stage for over 150 premieres. The focus is on new electric vehicles. This includes the new Trafic E-Tech Electric from Renault. Set to launch in Germany in the spring of 2027, this French model is based on a platform developed specifically for electric vehicles, marking Renault’s first use of an 800-volt architecture. With an 81-kWh battery, it offers a WLTP range of up to 470 kilometers (292 miles)—and in city driving, even approximately 600 kilometers.

Electric platforms with a battery pack in the underbody and compact drive units provide the ideal conditions for space-efficient body configurations. Renault specifies up to 5.8 cubic meters of cargo volume and a payload of 1.25 metric tons for the new Trafic. With a height of about 1.90 meters, it also fits in many underground parking garages.

World Premiere for the Kia PV7

Kia is another example of just how dynamically the market is evolving. At the 2024 IAA Transportation, the Korean automaker presented several concept vehicles from its new PBV electric commercial vehicle family. Two years later, the smaller PV5 has already hit German roads, while in Hanover, the larger PV7 is celebrating its world premiere. The model, which is up to 5.35 meters long, will be positioned above the PV5 in 2027 and is primarily aimed at logistics companies and trades businesses. Thanks to its proprietary electric platform, 800-volt technology, and a cargo volume of up to eight cubic meters, the PV7 is designed to be just as versatile as a cargo van and, later on, as a passenger or camping variant.

The Chinese Geely commercial vehicle brand Farizon is also introducing the V7E, a compact electric van designed for urban and regional use. The SV is a step up in size. It is based on an architecture developed specifically for electric commercial vehicles, featuring a low cargo floor and a wide side loading opening, which is also designed to accommodate a variety of commercial applications and body configurations.

A Growing Selection of Electric Commercial Vehicles

Even beyond the models making their debut at the auto show, the selection continues to grow. Ford is covering key van segments with electric models like the E-Transit and E-Transit Custom, while Maxus offers a wide range of sizes with its E-Deliver family. Added to this are the numerous electric vans from the Stellantis Group, including the Citroën Berlingo and Jumpy, the Opel Combo and Vivaro, and the Peugeot Partner and Expert.

Attractive TCO: Especially with an In-House PV System

Electric vehicles are currently getting an additional boost from a development that, of all things, is causing little joy for business owners: high fuel prices. Businesses, in particular, calculate their fleet costs very carefully. It’s not just the purchase price that matters, but what a vehicle costs over several years. With diesel prices recently well over two euros per liter, an electric van can quickly recoup its higher upfront costs—especially if it’s charged affordably at the company’s depot. Renault cites a total cost advantage of 10 percent over its diesel counterpart for its new E-Trafic over the vehicle’s lifetime.

The math gets particularly interesting with your own PV system. For surplus solar power, operators of new small systems currently receive only about eight cents per kilowatt-hour in feed-in tariffs. In a company car, a kilowatt-hour can be worth significantly more because it replaces expensive diesel or grid electricity. Instead of feeding solar power into the grid at rock-bottom prices, it goes straight into the van’s fuel tank.

For companies with multiple vehicles, this also makes the charging infrastructure more important. Not every van needs a fully charged battery in the morning, and not all of them need to charge at maximum power at the same time. Intelligent load management distributes the available energy as needed and can help avoid costly upgrades to the power grid. Consequently, the IAA Transportation show is no longer just about vehicles, but equally about charging infrastructure, energy management, and digital fleet management.

Electric vans may still not be the right fit for every business. For those who regularly tow heavy trailers, drive very long distances every day, or can’t find a reliable charging option, a diesel vehicle may still be the better choice. Higher upfront costs also remain a hurdle.

Electric Commercial Vehicles: The Mental Barrier

For tradespeople, care services, delivery services, or municipal utilities, however, the conditions are favorable. Many vehicles travel predictable routes and return to the depot in the evening, where they can charge overnight. This requires neither a 700-kilometer (435-mile)  range nor a fast charger on every corner.

The biggest hurdle these days likely lies less in the technology than in people’s mindsets. Experiences with first-generation electric vans still linger, even though range and charging speed have improved significantly. High diesel prices now provide an additional reason to reevaluate old assumptions. The IAA Transportation trade show demonstrates that the electric van is evolving from a niche vehicle for emission-free inner-city use into a standard work vehicle. Practical additional features such as Vehicle-to-Load can further increase its utility: the vehicle’s battery can power electric tools even in places where there’s no power outlet.

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