Automotive

Mercedes shows pre-production electric Vito Van

Mercedes shows pre-production electric Vito Van
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Mercedes-Benz showed a meeting of European ministers of economic affairs a prototype electric Vito earlier this week. The informal EU Competitiveness Council meeting in San Sebastian was told the experimental vehicle with its Lithium-ion battery and load capacity of 900 kg would enter limited production this year.

During 2010, more than 100 Mercedes-Benz Vito vans will be delivered to 20 customers, primarily fleet operators and public institutions wishing to transport items in environmentally sensitive zones with zero emissions, including no CO2 emissions, and low noise. Deployment scenarios therefore typically involve short distances and making many stops in urban areas. Production of a further 2000 vehicles is planned in the next phase.

The drive configuration is designed solely to run on battery power and thus dispenses with the powertrain intended for combustion engines.

A battery featuring powerful lithium-ion technology supplies energy to the Vito. With an operating voltage of 400 V, 16 A current and an available capacity of 32 kWh, the Vito’s range averages 130 km but can be considerably higher given an appropriate driving style. The electric motor delivers a peak output of 90 kW. Performance is oriented around customer requirements: an electronically limited top speed of 80 km/h is designed to meet our customers’ transportation needs in and around urban areas.

When it comes to safety features, every aspect is covered. All Vito vehicles come with ESP as standard which incorporates ABS and ASR. The number and type of airbags also corresponds with the current Vito specification. Vehicles are subjected to the usual crash tests with regard to passive safety. There is no loss in terms of payload or load volume compared to a conventionally powered Vito as a load capacity in excess of 900 kg is possible.

Assembly of the electric-powered Vito is being integrated directly into standard production. The Mercedes-Benz plant at Vitoria in the Basque region of Spain is already preparing for the challenges associated with manufacturing an additional variant. Logistics, staff training and production technology are receiving financial support from the regional government.

In Germany too the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) is providing subsidies to support the efforts of Mercedes-Benz Vans in the areas of research and development, testing and customer deployment.

3 comments
3 comments
Nick Gencarelle
OK Mercedes-nice job but get on with it-why is it taking years to make millions of hybrid electric vans? Don\'t they get it that millions of people want this type of vehicle and even more of a camper van style-remember the old VW hippie van? Make them hybrids or all electric with room for a bed and stove etc. Pop top for more sleeping area, sink etc. How about adding solar to the rooftop for another battery? Regenerative braking and shocks? Get on with it already stop dawdling! Do we have to wait another five years? HELLO
Ronnie
Settle petal. It\'s all to do with TAX. Oil companies and the Government want the service station delivery model to continue. So that requires the replacement of oil will be hydrogen. Simple.
Cheap fuel from the electricity grid...no tax... electricity comes from coal. WW3 will see a very rapid change over. Just wait for the mass killing of millions of people and 5 years of fighting, 2020 and all will be well.
robinyatesuk2003
if the electric Vito is as good as the diesel version, this van will sell bigtime. The VW variants will soon follow