Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL – Brief Test 2011

Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL Brief Test

Currently undergoing trials with selected fleet customers in the UK and mainland Europe, we managed to get behind the wheel of a battery-powered Vito E-CELL at this year's Mercedes-Benz Van Experience.

There’s something strange happened to the rear-wheel drive Mercedes-Benz Vito. A front-wheel drive E-CELL model is leaving the factory, but instead of a diesel engine residing under the bonnet there’s an electric motor and its ancillary systems. A lithium-ion battery pack under the load floor provides the energy; one of the reasons it’s not rear-wheel drive as the propshaft would get in the way.

With the exception of a few suspension components adopted from the Vito 4x4, the front-wheel drive system was developed specifically for the E-CELL. The entire electric-battery drivetrain and chassis assembly is mated to the body on the same production line as the diesel derivatives. E-CELL is no special edition, it’s simply another variant in the Vito line-up.

Drivetrain

Continuous power of 60kW (80hp), with a peak output of 70kW (94hp), is available from the the permanent synchronous electric motor. Peak torque of 280Nm is developed and power is transferred to the front wheels via a single-speed transmission, developed specifically for the E-CELL. Top speed is limited to 50mph and the quoted range is up to 80 miles.

Sixteen modules make up the lithium-ion battery pack with a total of 192 cells, each of which is monitored by the battery management system. Total storage capacity is 36kWh, with 32kWh available to power the driving wheels.

Plug into a 380/400v charging station, the batteries can be fully replenished from empty in six hours. Connect to a domestic 240v supply and the time required doubles. It’s possible to pre-set the recharging time to coincide with the provision of an off-peak, cheaper tariff, if available.

Kinetic energy recovery helps to top-up the batteries while on the move. This is not only achieved during braking, but also on the overrun and when reducing speed using the throttle. It all takes place via the standard-fit, latest generation ESP system.

Battery pack, electric motor, converter and other electrical components of the drive system are water-cooled. The electric motor reaches its peak efficiency at around 30°C, compared with the 100°C of an internal combustion engine. It’s the reason Vito E-CELL is equipped with a heater booster, connected to the high-voltage system, to make sure cab occupants are kept warm on cold days.

Load Capacity
Based on a long-wheelbase Vito, the 3,050kg gross vehicle weight E-CELL retains the 5.2m3 of load space and 900kg gross payload of the equivalent diesel-powered models. Load length is 2,667mm, load height is 1,138mm and maximum width is 1,650mm, narrowing to 1,277mm between the wheel boxes.

On the Road

For all intents and purposes the E-CELL is just like any other Vito to drive; except there is zero engine noise — a bit spooky if the driver hasn’t been behind the wheel of an EV before — and it literally rockets off the line. The beauty of an electric motor is that peak torque occurs at virtually zero revs. Simply shift the gearstick to ‘D’, release the foot-operated handbrake — appropriate in this case — press the throttle and off it goes in blissful silence.

The cab is near-identical to any other Vito, the only difference being the instrumentation. The revcounter is replaced by a large charge/economy dial and there’s a separate, smaller battery charge indicator.

If anything, the ride and handling are a slight improvement on the diesel model, thanks no doubt to the better weight distribution afforded by having the battery pack mounted low-down under the load area.

There are currently just five Vito E-CELLs in the UK, but Merc dealers are taking orders now. There is no price for an outright purchase, Mercedes preferring to go down the whole vehicle leasing route — including the battery pack — for the time being. No prices for the available lease plans are available at the time of writing.

Verdict
Vito E-CELL is a pleasure to drive with excellent performance and a more than acceptable range for urban multi-drop usage. The fact that it’s built on the production line is an added bonus.