It’s been a strong start to life for the electric Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL vans – which have covered 404,000miles in Berlin and Stuttgart.
The electric vans were launched in two projects, each with 50 Vito E-CELL models, expected to run for around four years. They are being used in a number of application areas, including: courier, express and package service providers; plant transportation; service vehicles; customer service; and for assembly and internal transport within companies.
To assist the environmental performance of the Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL vehicles, intelligent charging technology is being used on the Smart Charge Communication Unit.
This technology means that the CO2 balance of the vans is furthered because they are charged using certified green technology – and may even run on a surplus of wind energy.
Initially there were concerns that the Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL vans may have a range that is too limited for practice. However, so far in testing, the vehicles have proven capable of covering at least 50miles on a full battery charge – including during the winter – and this is proving to be sufficient in nearly all cases. Meanwhile, they have a speed electronically limited to 55mph – but so far were not needed to exceed 34mph in either city.
