The Vito E-CELL at the Post-Expo 2011

Post-Expo 2011 in Stuttgart. Meeting place and leading trade fair for the postal, parcel and logistics industry. Innovations and new technologies can be found here first. Given the growing efforts to reduce emissions, the fair offers the “Zero Emission Vehicle Zone.” This shows the latest innovations and solutions for fleets, vans, scooters and charging stations. At the heart of the show is the environmentally-friendly Vito E-CELL from Mercedes-Benz. Its innovative technology has already convinced experts from around the world at Post-Expo 2010 in Copenhagen.

Environmentally friendly driving with the Vito E-CELL

The purely electrically driven van is emission-free at the tail pipe and is particularly suited for use in urban areas. “Our customers drive mainly in cities,” said Andreas Pohl, project manager of Vito E-CELL.
“It’s important to drive as quietly as possible and emission free.” Several transport companies such as DHL are very conscious of their emissions. Big cities such as London and Berlin have established environmental zones that only allow clean vehicles. “That’s why it’s important to build vehicles that meet the requirements of these environmentally sensitive areas,” says Andreas Pohl. “Mercedes-Benz supports customers such as DHL, to reduce their emissions and to withstand the realities of tomorrow,” The Vito E-CELL has a range of 130 kilometers, making it ideal for inner-city areas with zero local emissions and no annoying noise.

The transport and logistics industry is booming. “More and more goods are ordered over the internet by the customer,” said Andreas Pohl. “If the customer no longer goes to the store, the goods must come to his house.” The couriers have their hands full, the vehicles are in use day and night.

“From the outside it looks like a normal Vito. I find it amazing that is an electric vehicle.” says Benjamin Toetz a logistics company representative, and takes a closer look at the Vito E-CELL. “We are here to get an insight into the current possibilities and solutions for transport companies,” replies his colleague Jan Waschulewski. “The E-CELL has plenty of space, it looks good.” The Vito E-CELL copes easily with all transport tasks of a vehicle in its class. The powerful batteries are installed under the floor and there is no loss in payload capacity of up to 850 kilograms.

Features and Innovations

By using the Mercedes-Benz online platform of the driver can check the battery level of the vehicle. Upon request, he can be informed by text message thereby saving time and money. The Vito E-CELL convinced visitors and experts with its numerous features and options, for example, with a second rear sliding door. In the delivery industry rapid entry and exit is important. “With a second sliding door, the driver can either load or unload the vehicle on the right or left, thus saving valuable travel time,” says Andreas Pohl. Customers could try all innovations, features and handling of the Vito E-CELL with an exclusive test drive. “It’s unbelievable how quiet the vehicle is,” said Karina Meister, a young engineer. “The van has a very elegant feel. It drives almost automatically.” Every visitor had the opportunity test the performance of the vehicle at the Mercedes-Benz test track.” I press on the gas and have full power. Without a howling engine, ” says Thomas Friedman, a computer science student from Karlsruhe, Germany. “Funny, that with the ignition key I no longer start the engine, but a piece of software. This is the future. ”

Zero emissions in the future

The Vito E-CELL has been available as series vehicle since 2010. Around 2,000 units are planned throughout Europe and are on the way to customers. “Last year in Copenhagen, our goal was to reach seven markets in Europe,” says Andreas Pohl, “today there are already twelve countries. Next year it will be 16 markets.” Electric drive is an innovative solution for urban and environmentally friendly transportation like never before. At Post-Expo 2011 the Vito E-CELL is showing the way into the future.