Mercedes-Benz Vito battery-electric drive prototype has passed polar circle testing, with temperatures down to -30oC and driving on sheet ice and compacted snow.
The firm also reports that its ex factory electric-drive van passed all the standard tests in Arjeplog, Sweden, and came through well on aspects such as braking via the electric motor for energy recuperation.
Next stop is endurance testing in the Alps, in the heat of Spain on other continuous operation routes.
When this version of the Vito goes into series production, all models will come with ESP (combining ABS and ASR) as standard. The number and type of airbags will also be the same as the existing Vito.
The Vito with battery-electric drive is the world's first van available with an electric-drive system ex factory. The drive is designed is designed solely to run on battery power and thus dispenses with the conventional combustion engines powertrain.
Its lithium-ion technologybattery runs at an operating voltage of 400V, 16A and has a capacity of 32kWh – meaning a range of 130 km or higher, depending on driving style.
The electric motor delivers a peak output of 90kW and speed is electronically limited to 80km/h, Mercedes report no loss in payload or load volume compared to a conventionally-powered Vito.
