[Brydo]

One reason to go electric

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For the new EU Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) regulations, passenger cars and light vans are in two different classes. Manufacturers can’t compensate the surplus in one class to balance the deficit in the other. Most European van makers have a lot of sales in the smallest vans like the Renault Kangoo, VW Caddy, Peugeot Partner, Citroen Berlingo, and Opel Combo.

Mercedes does not have a smaller, more efficient model. Well, officially, it exists, but I have never seen it. The main model is the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, probably the most popular large van. The midsize Mercedes Vito van is also a well-known vehicle on the road.

A not so happy Mercedes Vans press spokesperson explained that to stay out of fines, Mercedes had to reach 50% of van sales being fully electric.

 

Mercedes EQV
Last year, the e-Vito and e-Vito tourer were introduced to the market. On the floor of the Geneva Motor Show, there was a mockup of the EQV, the electric version of the Mercedes V-class passenger van. Now, at the Brussels Motor Show, an actual prototype was on the floor.

The main course for Mercedes is the eSprinter. Production of a 55kWh van with a 85kW motor was started just three weeks ago in the middle of December 2019. That is approximately the same battery and a smaller motor than my Renault ZOE has.

I really don’t understand why all van makers start with an electric van that has the same or worse capacity than their smallest diesel offering. And the ridiculously high price is justified by the small number they produce.

Mercedes will get serious soon enough. Its customers will tell it that they need more range and a more powerful motor for a lower price. The alternative will be paying the fines.

Nobody likes to pay fines. They all are eager to own this new market. The future feels good for the electric van market.

 

Mercedes eVito
Not many EU bashers and Brexiteers will agree with me, but I think the EU has very effective regulations when it comes to its new CAFE standards.

The only person who got all his work done by Friday was Robinson Crusoe.
Anything i post over three lines long please assume it is an article lol.

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[vinalspin]

looks like merc will be getting fined for the near future at least, no way will they reach 50% by 2024 never mind 2020 trying to push that crap and not having a small van that could manage with less power and range only leaves the big ones who’s drivers/owners will all need them to pull some weight and travel big distances.

Can you imagine a courier doing a run from Leeds to Glasgow with a half empty van and having to stop to charge 5 times on a round trip, no chance.

[Author]

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