Say hello to…
…the Farizon SV is a mid-size EBV van from a new Chinese brand that’s aimed squarely at the electric version of the Ford Transit Custom. The Farizon SV is available in three lengths (5.0m, 5.5m and 6.0m) and three heights (2.0m, 2.2m and 2.5m). The SV does, however, come with a choice of two battery packs, either a 67kWh giving up to 188 miles range or a 83kWh battery offering up to 234 miles range. There’s also a 106kWh battery on offer in the L3 H3 model with an official range above 300 miles.
The SV is offered in one, well specified, trim level with three options; a paint colour beyond white, towing pack and 270-degree rear doors.
Standard equipment includes single side sliding door, LED headlights with auto high-beam, front and rear fog lights, powered side mirrors, heated front screen, auto wipers, keyless start, heated and ventilated driver and primary passenger seats, 2x USB sockets, 12.3-inch infotainment screen, wireless Apple CarPlay, aircon, powered front windows and payload monitoring system.
Is The Farizon SV Suitable For My Fleet
With a list price of £51,000 + VAT, the SV may sound expensive, but that undercuts the closest equivalent Transit e-Custom by around £2,000. And the Farizon still has the advantage of being better equipped and more powerful. However, Ford offers a lower powered and lower specification van if your fleet doesn’t need all the additional equipment. Traditional LCV manufacturers also offer more customisation. The Farizon counters by offering three rather than two wheel base lengths and three battery options.
Leasing A Farizon SV
First customer vehicles have yet to be delivered and partly as a result, lease rates are not available. It’s also so new to the market that Farizon’s own website doesn’t yet offer lease rates.
Driving A Farizon SV
Initial impressions of how the Farizon is to drive and use as a daily business tool are mixed.
The practicalities and equipment levels are impressive. There are particularly clever touches such as the optional rear barn doors that can fold back nearly 270 degrees so they’re just about flush with the sides of the van.
The interior is more car-like in styling than most rivals yet the SV retains the multitude of cubbies and storage compartments that you’d expect in a van.
However, when you first sit in the SV’s driver’s seat it’s difficult for taller drivers to find a comfortable driving position because the steering wheel does not adjust for reach. In turn this means you have to sit too close to the wheel making the pedals difficult to operate.
In this position it also means the double A-pillar blocks too much of your view at junctions. And to top things off, the forward-looking sensors are housed in a huge plastic box that blocks far more of the windscreen than in rival vans. What’s more, Farizon doesn’t offer the option of a digital rear view mirror that could be mounted in that space.
Points are won back, however, by the way the van drives. The suspension an steering are particularly good. Our test van was carrying a half load and the SV was unphased by the weight. The brakes, also, are reassuring and feel usefully positive.
What was less good about the driving experience was the refinement thanks to an intrusive level of electrical or mechanical whine reaching the cabin. This didn’t seem to come from the motor as the noise wasn’t linear with speed or acceleration.
The Farizon SV is close to being a good electric van, but as yet, the traditional manufacturers shouldn’t be too worried.
FleetandLeasing.com Verdict On The Farizon SV
Good on paper, but a few too many flaws to seriously worry the competition.
Farizon SV
- Model: SV L2 H2 83kWh
- Power: 231hp
- Torque: 336Nm
- Max speed: TBC
- 0-62mph: TBC
- Official range: 214 miles
- Test range: n/a
- CO2 emissions: 0g/km
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