M-B Unveil Battery Powered-Van

BATTERY-POWERED MERCEDES-BENZ VITO FOR ZERO EMISSIONS

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the prototype of a battery-powered van based on the Mercedes-Benz Vito at a recent EU Competitiveness Council meeting held in Spain.

Assembly of the electric-powered Vito is being integrated directly into standard production and marks the start of a new era in local, zero emission mobility in the van sector.

The Vito will incorporate the technology ex factory, thereby underlining Daimler AG’s commitment to sustainable mobility. The vehicle is the outcome of research and development activities at Daimler AG which are focused on three aspects: optimizing combustion engines, boosting efficiency via custom hybrid components and emission-free vehicle operation deploying batteries and fuel cells.

During 2010, more than 100 Mercedes-Benz Vito vans will be delivered to 20 customers, primarily fleet operators and public institutions wishing to transport items in environmentally sensitive zones with zero emissions, including no CO2 emissions, and low noise.

Deployment scenarios therefore typically involve short distances and making many stops in urban areas.

Production of a further 2000 vehicles is planned in the next phase.

The drive configuration is designed solely to run on battery power and thus dispenses with the powertrain intended for combustion engines.

When it comes to safety features, every aspect is covered. All Vito vehicles come with ESP as standard which incorporates ABS and ASR.

The number and type of airbags also corresponds with the current Vito specification. Vehicles are subjected to the usual crash tests with regard to passive safety. There is no loss in terms of payload or load volume compared to a conventionally powered Vito and load capacity remains competitive.