Toyota’s Proace Electric is a battery powered van – just like the milkman’s

MILKMEN – you rarely see them any more.

One of many jobs all but killed off by cut-price supermarkets.

We used to get a couple of pints of blue top delivered daily, but these days the idea of having the milkman pop round with a glint in his eye seems as backwards as calling the chimney sweep, or popping out to rent a video at Blockbuster.

But do you know what?

These guys aren’t dinosaurs, they were ahead of their time.

Brands like Toyota and Vauxhall are scrambling to knock out electric vans such as this, the Proace Electric.

It’s a battery powered van – just like the one the milkman used to drive.

Granted the milkman’s wagon couldn’t do 0-62mph in 12.1 seconds or 80mph, and I doubt it had a range of up to 205 miles.

But the principle is the same.

Even though the battery tech is much further forward these days, an electric van still only makes sense to those whose business is local, like a milkman’s.

According to Toyota’s own research even diesel vans have an average daily mileage of just 52 miles.

They would say that, wouldn’t they?

But if you can rely on charging the Proace Electric overnight at home or a depot you’re looking at some serious savings.

Then there’s the fact it’s exempt from any low emission zones charges, so if you’re in and out of inner cities that’s more money kept in your pocket.

With the Government’s £6,000 plug-in van grant the Proace Electric starts at £34,630, while the diesel in the same size and spec is £30,635.

Not a vast difference, especially if paying monthly.

Two batteries are on offer.

The 50kWh jobby will do up to 142 miles per charge, the 75kWh does up to 205 miles.

These ranges will drop with a full load though.

Talking of load, the Proace Electric is no less practical than the diesel versions, swallowing 1,226kg in the back and towing up to one tonne.

That’s a lot of milk.

Serious about hydrogen

THIS is some way off but it’s good to see Vauxhall is serious about hydrogen.

This Vivaro fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) has a 249-mile range, refuels as quickly as petrol, emits only water and carries as much stuff as the regular van.

On sale in 2023.