IAA Transportation 2026: Why electric vans for accessible and large-capacity taxis are becoming increasingly interesting.

If you order a large-capacity taxi or an inclusion taxi today, you often enter a converted van. Mercedes Sprinter, Ford Transit, VW Bus or Renault Trafic have been mainstays in the industry for years. For a long time it seemed clear: such vehicles would remain dependent on diesel engines for a particularly long time because of their high mileage and their weight.

At the IAA Transportation 2026 in Hanover, however, a different picture is emerging. Manufacturers are investing massively in electric commercial vehicles – and many of the models presented are likely to be of interest to taxi operators. The reason lies not only in rising fuel costs. Above all, the advances in range, charging speed and interior flexibility are easing many operators' concerns about restrictions in daily operations.

Kia follows up: PV7 comes after PV5

Particularly evident is this with the new Kia PV7. The large electric van, which is to be offered in up to 23 variants, relies on a modern 800-volt architecture. Charging capabilities of up to 350 kW significantly shorten downtimes. For taxi operators, this could be a decisive factor. During a break or while waiting at the depot, energy can be recharged without the vehicle having to be taken out of operation for extended periods.

The interior concept is also interesting. Up to nine people can be accommodated. Movable individual seats make adaptation to different uses easier. For taxi operation this means: morning airport transfers, midday wheelchair transport and evening group rides – all with the same vehicle. Also comfort features such as air-conditioned captain's seats or a panoramic roof show that manufacturers are increasingly discovering passenger transport as a standalone business field.

Renault goes electric

Similarly, Renault positions itself with the new Trafic E-Tech. The electric transporter celebrates its trade show premiere in Hannover and is expected to enable many typical deployments of a large-vehicle taxi without intermediate charging, with a range of up to 470 kilometers. Renault sees the model as an important building block of its electrification strategy.

„The new Trafic E-Tech Electric is a true game changer on the European market for light commercial vehicles and offers more technologies, more services and more possibilities for retrofitting. It fully embodies our strategy and marks a breakthrough in the market for electric transporters,“ says Jan Ptacek, Renault's head of light commercial vehicles.

For taxi companies, the transport capacity for Euro pallets is less interesting than the technical fundamentals. The new platform enables various configurations and a turning radius of only 10.3 meters. Especially in inner cities with narrow streets and limited stopping options, that can be a practical advantage.

Mercedes: the VLE is coming!

Mercedes-Benz is also looking at passenger transport. The future models of the new van architecture are expected to offer ranges of up to 700 kilometers. For operators of airport transfers, patient transportation, or interregional shuttle services, this could create an operating profile that until now has been reserved for diesel. In addition, the 800-volt technology, which is also used, promises significantly shorter charging times.

Manufacturers are increasingly designing their vehicles to be modular. What initially comes to the road as a panel van or delivery vehicle can often serve as the base for specialized conversions. Particularly accessible taxis benefit from this development. Wheelchair spaces, wheelchair ramps or electric lifting systems require space and a flexible vehicle structure. Many of the new platforms have been designed precisely for this purpose.