Cheapest Electric Van in Australia: Can a Tradie Actually Go Electric?
You've seen the headlines about electric vans dropping under $50,000.
You've also been burnt by brochure numbers before.
So what you actually want to know is whether one of these things will carry your gear, finish the day's run and recharge overnight without costing you a job.
We checked the prices and specs against the maker's own Australian pages where we could, and flagged where we couldn't. Here's the straight version.
Key Facts: Cheapest Electric Vans in Australia
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What you actually get for the money
A small electric van is a different tool to a diesel HiAce.
The batteries are smaller, so the sums matter more.
Payload is the number to check first, because a battery pack is heavy and eats into what you can carry.
Electric vans compared
Van | Price | Battery | Claimed range (WLTP) | Payload |
LDV eDeliver 5 (short wheelbase) | $49,990 drive-away ($47,990 for ABN holders, offer ran to 31 Oct 2026) | 64kWh | up to 335km | 1,200kg |
Farizon V7E Standard Range | $49,990 drive-away | 50kWh LFP | 240km | 1,338kg |
Farizon V7E Extended Range | $53,990 drive-away | 66kWh LFP | 329km | 1,208kg |
Kia PV5 Cargo S Long Range | from $55,990 before on-road costs | 71.2kWh | 416km | 740kg |
Ford E-Transit Custom Trend (LWB) | $73,990 before on-road costs | 71.45kWh | 340km (claimed) | not verified |
LFP means lithium iron phosphate, a battery type that handles daily full charging well. WLTP is the standard lab test used for range claims. Prices are not like-for-like: the first three are drive-away, the last two are before on-road costs (rego, CTP and stamp duty come on top). The Ford price is from a September 2026 report, so confirm it with a dealer.
The three things that decide it
1. Your daily kilometres. Most trade runs are short. If your day is under 150km, any van here should get you home with room to spare, though a full load or a cold morning will trim the number.
2. Where you charge. The LDV, Farizon and Kia all charge at 11kW on AC, which means roughly 4 to 6.5 hours on a home or depot wallbox, so overnight works. No charger at the depot means a bigger headache than any spec sheet.
3. What you carry. The Kia has the longest range but only 740kg of payload. If you're hauling tiles, pipe or a full tool crib, the Farizon and LDV carry far more (1,200kg to 1,338kg against 740kg).
What to watch out for
The LDV ABN price was tied to delivery by 31 October 2026, so ask your dealer whether it still applies. Towing is another gap. The Farizon is rated at 1,000kg braked and the Kia at 750kg, but LDV's page did not list a towing figure for the eDeliver 5. If you tow a trailer to site, confirm it in writing.
Buy If / Avoid If
Buy the LDV eDeliver 5 if you want the best balance of range and payload at the entry price, and you can charge at the depot.
Buy the Farizon V7E Standard Range if payload matters most and your runs are short, under 150km a day.
Buy the Kia PV5 Cargo if range is your priority and you carry light loads.
Avoid all of them if you tow heavy trailers, run long country routes without fast chargers, or can't charge at home or the depot.
Cheapest Electric Van FAQs
What is the cheapest electric van in Australia? The LDV eDeliver 5 and the Farizon V7E both start at $49,990 drive-away. LDV lists $47,990 drive-away for ABN holders on an offer that required delivery by 31 October 2026.
How far can an electric van really go? The claimed figures run from 240km to 416km on the WLTP lab test. Expect less with a heavy load, highway speed or cold weather.
How long does an electric van take to charge? At 11kW AC, roughly 4 hours for the LDV and 4 to 5 hours for the Farizon. On DC fast charging, the LDV takes about 36 minutes for 20 to 80 per cent.
Can an electric van tow? The Farizon V7E is rated at 1,000kg braked, and the Kia PV5 Cargo at 750kg. LDV did not publish a towing figure on its eDeliver 5 page, so check before you buy.
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