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Charging ahead iiimmor

12th August 2010, Page 44
12th August 2010
Page 44
Page 45
Page 44, 12th August 2010 — Charging ahead iiimmor
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The past few days have seen lveco and Mercedes-Benz reveal their in-house electric vans. CM takes them for a spin.

Words: Colin Barnett and Ian Tonkin Light commercials are seen as the ideal platform to develop battery technology, as many are deployed on prescribed routes from base to base with minimal deviation. Until no if you wanted to buy a medium or large electric van (EV). you would've been limited to what are effectively third-party conversions of existing products. Whatever the true environmental cost of electric vehicles (see box), the major manufacturers are catching up and their own offerings are close to reaching Charge time is six the marketplace. First to reach the road are the Iveco hours, but maximum EcoDaily Electric and Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL. range is only 80 miles

Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL

Mercedes-Benz has used its recently updated Vito van as a base to further explore electric vehicles by launching the E-CELL. Built on the regular production line at Vitoria. Spain, the vehicle is fitted with 16 lithium-ion battery modules, mounted underneath the load area. which in turn powers a single synchronous 70kW electric motor. This combination gives the van a maximum range of 80 miles on a single six-hour charge from a 400V input. Mercedes says that there is no compromise in terms of load space and that payload is roughly 900kg, about 50kg less than a comparable diesel.

Driving the Vito E-CELL is a surreal experience in that it's unlike anything we've ever driven.Turn the key and the power meter on the instrumentation panel springs to life, meaning the vehicle is primed and ready. Push the accelerator and the Vito E-CELL moves in a smooth and instantaneous fashion. Around the undulating streets of Stuttgart. the Vito used just less than 50% of its maximum charge during our 30-odd-mile test route, so, on that basis, it would get around only 60 miles on a full charge. However, our pre-production prototypes didn't have regenerative braking.

Mercedes currently has 100 E-CELLs on trial with various companies in Berlin and Stuttgart, but plans to manufacture 2.000 vehicles in 2011 and a further 1.000 Units the year after. It admits that the Vito E-CELL is a showcase for what is possible for future transport, but adds that there are still -many obstacles in the way".

Sure, it does have its drawbacks, as all electric vans do, such as range, recharge time and, presumably at this stage. cost (Mercedes has yet to announce Vito E-CELL prices). Nevertheless, the Vito E-CELL takes the game a step further and could he the springboard for mainstream EV acceptance.

lveco EcoDaily Electric

A bit closer to home, Iveco chose the SMMT headquarters just off Hyde Park Corner as a driving base for its contribution.The EcoDaily Electric is available in a variety of forms van, chassis cab or combi and with wheelbases from 3,000mm to 4350mm.There are two GVWs, 3500kg 35S, with two or three batteries, depending on wheelbase, and the twin-rear-wheel 5200kg 50C, with three or four batteries. The batteries are Zebra Z5 nickel/sodium chloride units, with an eight-hour recharge time from a 32A. 380V three-phase supply. The top speed is governed at 43mph, with range at full load extending from 56 to 80 miles according to battery fitment.'The ciriveline hardware of 40kW (80kw peak) traction motor and reduction gearing is located about halfway along the wheelbase, with the rest of the space betwee the chassis rails, including under the bonnet, populatei the battery packs.

Negotiating the streets of London was slightly mort challenging thanks to left-hand drive, but in every oth respect the Daily Electric was simplicity to drive. From the N position on the joystick, nudge let go forward, or back to go back. 0 than a dash button to engage economy mode, that's it.The stee is not assisted at standstill to save battery life, but comes to life as st as you move.

In normal mode, progress up tc limited 43mph maximum is brisk. surprisingly so for other road use It's far from silent, producing a milk-float-like whine, but far less the best diesel. Economy mode Ii both acceleration and top speed, around 30mph, but pays back wit around 1041-15% more range. However, the perform is blunted to the point that no driver is likely to use it until near the end of the day and he isn't going to get home for his tea.

The regenerative braking effect is strong. and with practice, should significantly aid service brake life.

Verdict

I lie environmental, economic and political argument electric vehicles are complex and far from decided. However, driving this pair has proved that if the outc is a viable future for electric vehicles, at least two manufacturers are ready with the product. •


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