All-electric Vito prototype is ready to rock ‘n’ roll31 March 2010

A prototype electric version of the Vito Taxi is now ready for trials, having been designed and built in just six months by a consortium involving Zytek, Valence Technology, Penso and Mercedes-Benz UK, which donated the base vehicle.

Part-funded by the UK Government's Advantage Niche Vehicle research and development programme, the E-Vito prototype meets the requirements of the London Carriage Office and can carry up to six people more than 120km on a single six-hour charge.

The taxi uses a new 70kW version of Zytek's electric drivetrain and a custom-designed Vocis gearbox, built by Graziano. Zytek Automotive sales and marketing director Steve Tremble says that performance at city speeds is "lively", as expected by London's cabbies.

The electric drive uses the existing engine mounting points, with minor revisions, and requires just three additional connections (water, and high and low voltage electrics). It interfaces with all existing vehicle systems, including ABS (antilock braking system), ESP (electronic stability programme) and OBD (onboard diagnostics).

To maximise interior space, the vehicle has been converted to front wheel drive, which then allows the 35kWh Valence Li-Ion battery pack to be installed beneath the vehicle floor.

As a by-product, the low mounting point also improves vehicle stability and ride quality, since it drops the vehicle's centre of gravity.

Beyond that, a steerable rear axle enables the small 25ft (7.6m) turning circle, required by all licensed black cabs operating in London.

Tremble says that all the technologies are market-ready and proven in vehicles already in production. "We could easily have electric taxis in service in-time for the 2012 London Olympics," he says.

Author
Brian Tinham

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