Has the Ligier Pulse 4 kept up with the competition?

Competition in the last-mile delivery market is heating up. With a plethora of futuristic EVs looking to revolutionise urban mobility, has the Ligier Pulse 4 kept up with the competition?

On the market since the mid-2010s, the Ligier Pulse 4 was a relatively early entry into the last-mile delivery game and could now be considered a member of the EV old guard. So, it was a bit of a surprise to see the long-wheelbase Pulse 4 Box Van sat among the newest releases at the Paris Motor Show — but it makes sense.

As small commercial EVs become increasingly in vogue, Ligier’s mini electric van has received several refinements and additional options over the years to stay relevant. But, with a fresh batch of micro haulers lining up to compete within the same space — including Mobilize’s utility focused Bento and Renault’s colourful new Estafette, both of which occupied larger and louder stages in Paris — has the Ligier Pulse 4 truly kept up with its competition?

On the surface

For us, the Pulse 4’s looks have aged well. Although described as a ‘discrete’ offering due to its quiet-running electric powertrain, the Ligier has only become more of a standout amidst the (increasingly generic) futuristic EV styling which dominates recent last mile delivery vehicles.

The downward sloping, aggressive, curvilinear bonnet reminds us of a big American Mack truck, while the skeletal — and slightly golf buggy-esque — front wheel area nicely tones this down to remind you it’s only a little van. Then there’s the googly eye headlights which are reminiscent of Andy’s RC Car in Toy Story, further offsetting any overly muscular components. It’s a bit of a mishmash, but the resulting front profile finds a cohesive middle ground between large and small styling elements.

From here back, things get increasingly sharp and industrial with a rear portion that now looks retro compared to the smoothed-off edges dominating its new competitors. This is a nice break from the contemporary plasticky styling as seen on the Renault Estafette Concept. 

Ahead of its time?

Functionality-wise the rear area operates similarly to the freshly showcased Mobilize Bento thanks to the 1.4 m long (0.66 m on the short wheelbase version) storage cube snapped onto the back. The 350 kg payload (including rear equipment, with driver) has somewhat stood the test of time, out-hauling the Bento’s 80 kg payload, but will soon be dwarfed by the impressive 500 kg payload and 4m³ capacity offered by the upcoming next-gen ELM Mobility EVOLV.

On the flip side, the adaptability offered by the Ligier more than holds its own. The ‘Clip’ equipment change system allows for the box module to be swapped out for fixed, drop-side, and tilting flatbed extensions, a skip tipper, or a refrigerated cooling box. A level of quick-change flexibility even Kia’s modular PV5 doesn’t look set to match, despite its size advantage.

On the inside

Despite Ligier’s single-seater racing heritage, the Pulse 4’s cab houses two seats. This option of companionship one-ups the Bento and the head-turning Citroën Ami Cargo, both of which removed the second seat for a commercial setting.

The interior is stripped-back and utilitarian. A little dated, but not uncomfortable. It’s spacious, well lit, heated, and features a comfy driver’s seat designed by occupational ergonomists. And if you are against the touchscreen revolution, the Pulse 4 is satisfyingly fitted with dials, knobs, and tactile controls all round. With the world coming full circle and safety specialists turning against touchscreens, Ligier’s lack of updates in this area might pay dividends.

Safety equipment remains fairly typical for the sector: protective bodywork as standard, while rear view cameras and warning systems can be added as options. However, as Mobilize’s Duo and Bento introduce airbags across the range, this is an area where the Pulse 4 risks getting left behind.

On the road

There are 8.6 kwh, 9.6 kwh, 11.2 kwh, or 17.2 kwh powertrain options for the Pulse 4, which allow for an unloaded top speed up to 40 mph. Outpacing the Ami Cargo’s infamous 28 mph cap, this should be enough to keep urban delivery drivers on schedule, although it can’t keep up with the newer Mobilize Bento or the EVOLV which can reach 50 mph to tackle greater roads.

The 153-mile range has more than kept up with competition. It matches the figures Rivian recently deemed suitable for the average last-mile delivery shift in its ECV, while going over 50 miles further than the EVOLV, over 60 miles further than the Bento, and over 100 miles further than the Ami Cargo. Impressive.

Less impressive though, are the charge times. Considering we were critical of the Bento taking at least 3.5 hours to reach 80%, the Pulse’s 8-hour charge time is a bit of a red flag for the downtime this brings. Although this isn’t as eyewatering when considering its longer range, the lack of fast-charging capabilities looks rather outdated, especially when compared to the EVOLV’s ability to charge a larger battery from 20-80% in under two hours.

So, has Ligier kept the Pulse 4 a viable option for today’s last-mile delivery market? Or has it been left behind by the competition?

Hero image credit: Blackcircles.com