Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL Brings a Zero Emission Option to Fleets

Electric trucks have been built since the very early days of motorized trucking. However, Mercedes-Benz is claiming its Vito E-CELL is the first factory-built one from any major automobile manufacturer, at least any modern day one.
Designed for urban duty, the first 100 Vito E-CELLs are now being built at the Mercedes-Benz Vito assembly plant in Spain, on the same production line as other Vito models. Mercedes says this demonstrates that the Vito E-CELL is a series production model and not a prototype.

Externally, the Vito E-CELL looks exactly like any long-wheelbase Vito van, with all modifications underneath. The 149 inch wheelbase allows lithium-ion batteries to be installed beneath so capacity is not compromised. Also helping is the use of front-wheel-drive and placement of the electric motor, power electronics, transformer and charging unit under the hood. Its 1980 pound cargo capacity, achieved partly through the use of compact, light, and high energy density lithium-ion batteries, makes the Vito E-CELL a full-fledged van in every respect.
The lithium-ion battery pack consists of 16 modules for a total of 192 cells. The ability to use 32 kilowatt-hours of the pack’s rated 36 kilowatt-hours – almost 90-percent availability – is outstanding compared to other electric vehicles, where 85 percent is typical. The permanent magnet synchronous motor produces a continuous output of 80 horsepower (60 kilowatts) and a peak output of 94 horsepower (70 kilowatts). Power is delivered to the front wheels through an efficient single-speed transmission developed specifically for the Vito E-CELL.

Driving range is about 81 miles (130 kilometers) so the Vito E-CELL can handle the typical average daily requirement of 31 to 37 miles (50 to 60 kilometers) with a considerable margin of safety. Aimed at urban use, top speed is limited to 50 mph (80 km/hr) to optimize range.
Mercedes-Benz is leasing the first 100 units to a dozen fleets in Berlin and Stuttgart, with additional units planned for Spain's Basque region early next year. Production will ramp up to another 2,000 units for 2011. Four year demonstrations are planned.

The Vito E-CELL is equipped with an electric heater for driver comfort and a heated driver’s seat and external mirrors. There is also a reversing camera and warning device, important considering the Vito E-Cell's nearly silent operation. Safety features include an Electronic Stability Program and driver and passenger airbags. In a collision, airbag deployment deactivates the batteries.
A standard seven-pin charging cable plugs into a charging socket that replaces the standard fuel filler pipe. Charging is done at 380/400 volts with a full charge taking a maximum of six hours. Charging at 230 volts doubles the charging time.
The Vito E-CELL’s Smart Charge Communication Unit intelligently controls charging when electricity is available at off-peak overnight rates and, potentially, when ecologically generated electricity is available. In fleet use, vehicle availability can be calculated depending on the state of battery charge. For example, a scheduler can determine whether a particular van has a charge appropriate for carrying out an additional assignment at short notice.

Source:-http://www.greencar.com/articles/mercedes-benz-vito-e-cell-brings-zero-emission-option-fleets.php

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