Europcar Partners With Mercedes-Benz To Help Businesses Put Electric Van Technology To The Test

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10 February 2020 | Updated 12 February 2020

The mobility specialist is set to work with commercial vehicle users to trial the Mercedes-Benz eVito

Europcar Mobility Group UK has joined forces with Mercedes-Benz Vans to give businesses that use commercial vehicles the chance to put electric motoring to the test in ‘real world’ conditions.

The partnership will see the Mercedes-Benz eVito panel van trialled by a number of Europcar customers over the next six months to help them understand the types of journeys and user applications that are best suited to electric motoring. GeoTab telematics units including purpose-built EV reporting and Sure-Cam in-car dash cam technology are also being integrated into the vehicles to ensure Europcar, Mercedes-Benz and the eVito users can gain the best possible insight from the trials.

Sustainable fleet solutions

“Many businesses are eager to adopt the most sustainable fleet solutions but still need to understand how these will work for their operational models”, explained Gary Smith, Managing Director, Europcar Mobility Group UK.  “By offering this simple ‘test drive’ facility, in partnership with Mercedes-Benz, we are enabling businesses to try out an electric van on a day to day basis to see if it will work for them.

 “In the longer term, we believe renting electric will prove a massive benefit to businesses that are working in low emissions zones on a short term basis, or simply want to temporarily integrate an electric van into their existing fleet for ‘on demand’ environmentally friendly motoring. The learnings from the trials will, therefore, help us shape our electric van rental solutions for the future, as well as provide Mercedes-Benz with valuable customer feedback.”

The eVito long wheelbase panel van has a range of approximately 150 km calculated according to the WLTP procedure. The installed battery capacity is 41 kWh and can be used at a charging power of 7.2 kW in about 6 hours fully charged from 0 to 100%. With its cargo volume of 6.0 m3 there are no restrictions due to the electric drive, with a payload capacity of up to 923kg.

“In the longer term, we believe renting electric will prove a massive benefit to businesses that are working in low emissions zones on a short term basis, or simply want to temporarily integrate an electric van into their existing fleet for ‘on demand’ environmentally friendly motoring.”

– Gary Smith

Managing Director, Europcar Mobility Group UK

 

Opportunity to trial new tech

Ideal for driving in city traffic or running scheduled, recurring routes, the eVito is suitable for all sectors and applications, once the range and charging requirements are taken into account.

Steve Bridge, Managing Director, Mercedes-Benz Vans UK Ltd, said: “Partnering with Europcar in this way enables customers to effectively trial the technology and find out what it is like to run an electric vehicle within their existing operation. We know that interest and demand is high, but to experience the eVito within their own environment and charging infrastructure will provide these businesses with invaluable feedback, and enable Europcar and ourselves to gain further insight into the demands and needs of electric vehicle use.”

Picture: Mercedes-Benz eVito panel van 

For more information on the scheme, click here

Roundtable Discussion: "The Challenges in Devising a 'Fit for Purpose' Fleet Policy" with Europcar

This is your opportunity to take part in this valuable roundtable discussion on fleet management – considering points such as the effect of economic uncertainty and how to align your policy with sustainability plans. 

If you're interested in attending, please click here

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 10 February 2020

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