Skoda has launched a new van variant of its Enyaq electric SUV that trades its back seats for an expansive cargo area.

Developed with specialist Strongs Plastic Products, the conversion brings a flat plastic load bay with tethers and removable dividers for securing loose items, and a plastic bulkhead with a small window into the cockpit. The Enyaq Cargo’s rear windows are tinted black to hide anything stored inside from prying eyes.

The conversion costs £1815 plus VAT and is aimed at fleets. It is based on the Enyaq 85, which is priced from £44,310, inclusive of VAT and registration charges. The model packs a single rear-mounted 282bhp motor and a 77kWh battery, yielding a range of 359 miles. It can be recharged at up to 135kW, allowing a 10-80% refill in 28 minutes.

It can also be had in 85X form, which adds a motor up front for four-wheel drive. Its total power output is unchanged from 282bhp but its range is reduced to 332 miles. To compensate, its peak charge rate is boosted to 175kW.

Skoda has told Autocar that Enyaq Cargo does not qualify for the government’s plug-in van grant, which discounts the price of small electric vans by up to £2500.

The Enyaq Cargo was born out of a partnership with the National Grid, which has ordered 70 examples. National Grid Energy Distribution currently runs more than 300 electric vans and 600 electric company cars, according to Skoda.

The Enyaq Cargo will be offered exclusively to fleet buyers through area fleet managers in Skoda’s dealer network.