Mercedes-Benz used a meeting of European economic ministers discussing future technology to unveil the logical next step in zero emissions motoring – a delivery van.
The German company will deliver 100 of the battery-powered Vito van to corporate and government customers this year. Afurther 2,000 examples slated for production.
With lithium-ion battery technology and no combustion engine plus related ancillary devices to weight it down, the electric Vito has 90kW of power, a cargo capacity of 900kgs and a range of at least 130kms between recharges.
Naturally it is equipped with the usual ‘Benz safety features including Electronic Stability Control.
With millions of vans often used in short city and urban delivery runs, swapping to battery power is practical and could lead to significantly reduced CO2 emissions and smog in the world’s major cities.
