2011 Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL electric van
Mercedes-Benz has introduced the Vito E-CELL electric van for the European market that going on sale in 2011.
The Mercedes Vito E-CELL is powered by a permanent synchronous electric motor that develops 60 kW of continuous power, with a 70 kW peak output and 280 Nm of torque.
The battery pack of the Vito E-CELL has 16 modules with a total of 192 cells which are deactivated when the vehicle is not in use.
Van operators will be able to choose an off-the-shelf electric van from Mercedes-Benz in summer 2011 with the new Vito E-Cell.
Production of the van has already begun and Mercedes-Benz will lease the first 100 vehicles with battery as a complete unit to customers in Berlin and Stuttgart.
However, right-hand drive versions were always part of Mercedes-Benz’s plan and the Vito will reach the UK in the second half of 2011.
Mercedes-Benz originally planned to lease its new electric van to customers in the UK because there could be a wariness of the new technology and fear for residual values risk.
Although it seems expensive, the cost of charging would be lower than the equivelent diesel per mile, and customers could take advantage of any incentives such as discounts from charging zones for electric vehicles.
The power is relayed to the wheels via a single-speed transmission especially developed for the Vito.
The lithium-ion batteries, located under the load compartment floor, have a capacity of 36 kWh, 32 kWh of which are used to power the vehicle.
The Vito E-cell comes equipped with a Watchdog safety system, which helps avoid power losses damage caused by unauthorized access to the vehicle. The van will be charged from charging stations provided by EnBW and Vattenfall for the test program. The van is also fitted with a reversing camera with a monitor in the cab's COMAND system, ESP, driver airbag and double co-driver airbag.
