Slowly but surely the powers that be are recognising that we need to improve all aspects of our lives in order to preserve natural fuels for our future generations. The one way we can all do a little more is by using renewable fuel, wherever possible. However, switching from traditional petrol and diesel to electric powered commercial vehicles has been a step too far for many businesses, to date.
Irrespective of the low group cheap van insurance quotes that you can obtain with these eco-friendly models, there are many positive aspects that impact less upon the environment than the traditional fuelled vehicles that we are used to.
There are many smaller names in the motor industry that have been working incessantly to bring electric vans to the fore, but the more recognised power houses of the motoring industry are now investing millions of euros in research and man hours into the possibility that we will all be driving renewable fuel vehicles sooner rather than later.
Mercedes roll out electric vans
When you think of innovation and reliability in motoring, there aren’t many names that spring forth before Mercedes Benz. Leading the way in sports cars, technology and comfort, making them one of the most sought after brands in the world of motoring as this German company has for decades, it is perhaps no surprise that they are amongst the first of the big boys to bring this technology to the production line. Hopefully, as well as cheap running costs, with larger scale production methods and increased knowledge in the field of electric van mechanics, this should drive down the initial cost and enable even cheaper van insurance in the long term.
Two of Mercedes’ recent accomplishments in this field endorse their arrival as a major player in this field.
The Spanish-manufactured Vito E-CELL is the first assembly-line van in its class, with zero emission and is practically inaudible, so noise-pollution friendly, to boot. Its powerhouse lithium ion batteries give it a range of 130km, twice the average daily mileage for commercial van driving, and a top speed of 80km/h. With a maximum ay load of 900kg, it is perhaps no surprise that this van won the Green Commercial of the Year award.
They also snapped up the same award in the hybrid category, with the Atego BlueTec taking the honour. This model combines a four-cylinder diesel with a water-cooled electric motor and as such, has been chosen for integration into the Electric mobility promotion program to prove its suitability as a common-or-garden commercial vehicle.
As these tests prove successful and the viability of this mode of van is realised, it can only mean that costs from the initial purchase, to daily running to the cost of repair and subsequent cheap van insurance policies are better for the environment, consumer and business owner, all around.