Demand for an electric cargo van that can only travel up to 50 mph isn’t strong enough to justify full production.
That’s what Mercedes is admitting after releasing a limited number of Vito E-Cell electric commercial vans in Europe to test the market viability of such a vehicle. Mercedes van division head Volker Mornhinweg said the project is being killed.
The Vito E-Cell could carry up to 1,873 lbs and could drive up to 80 miles and Mercedes only managed to sell a few hundred units.
Not surprisingly, diesel engines are still a more attractive option for the brand’s next generation of commercial vans. They will also use engine start-stop technology and lightweight materials to improve efficiency and might be sold in North America.
[Source: Car and Driver]