Mercedes Vito gets voltage
July 27, 2010 § Leave a Comment
Mercedes-Benz has started production of its electric Vito E-Cell van. Just 100 will be made this year, but a run of 2000 is planned for 2011. The E-Cell’s lithium-ion batteries give an operating range of just 130km, and top speed from the 60kW motor is only 80kph, but it will be suitable for localised deliveries and deployment from a central base with charging facilities. Its loadspace is unaffected by the electric conversion, and payload is around 900kg. Mercedes is leasing the first 100, rather than selling them outright, in a four-year trial deal to cover servicing and maintenance; subsidies are available to German users, and right-hand drive versions are on offer to British customers.
