The all-electric Mercedes-Benz Vito E-Cell van will be supporting the npower Big Dribble, a British hockey initiative that aims to see a giant hockey ball travel the length of the country in aid of national children’s charity WellChild.
The Big Dribble will set off from Edinburgh on April 1, finishing in London’s Trafalgar Square on May 2, 2012. In between there will be 40 stops at towns and cities along the route, where communities will be invited to take part in the world record attempt to dribble a hockey ball for up to 100 metre per participant, to create a total of 2012km.
Equipment for the challenge will be transported in the electric van, selected to help test the UK’s recharging infrastructure as well as provide zero emission transport over the course of the journey. The Vito E-Cell will use npower’s Juice e-charging posts throughout the journey. On a six hour charge at one of these points with a 380/400 volt output, the Vito E-Cell will be able to completely replenish its batteries, giving the model 80 miles range per charge.
Juice-e complies with OFGEM's green supply guidelines for tariffs providing real environmental benefit. For every unit of energy used, npower matches it with renewable energy back into the grid. That means the journey will be carbon neutral throughout.
Steve Bridge, Van Sales and Marketing Director for Mercedes-Benz UK, said: "We’re used to our Vito Sport and Sport-X making people drool, and are delighted that our electric E-CELL is now helping the Big Dribble!
We are very proud to be involved and both to raise funds and awareness for WellChild, and to highlight the ease-of-use for running an electric van."
The Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL is now available under a full contract hire package from Mercedes-Benz, with terms covering one to four years. It is now also eligible for the Government’s new Plug-In Van Grant.
For more information on the npower Big Dribble, please visit www.thebigdribble.com.
Faye has been writing about cars and environmental issues since 2007. A suspected eco-warrior working on the corporate inside, Faye mainly likes the weird, quirky vehicles that show a distinct environmental advantage. Her ideal car has enough room to fit a bale of hay in the boot. When not working, she likes nothing better than to head out on her bicycle and explore the countryside.
Faye Sunderland
March 09, 2012
Filed under: Mercedes
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