Volkwagen’s new e-Crafter van has started fleet trials with an international group of major customers.

First e-Crafter vehicles in customers’ hands

The project will see the vans put to the test until mid-2018 by operators from Germany, Great Britain, the Netherlands and Sweden, including package delivery services, energy suppliers, trades businesses and individual retailers whose vehicles cover between 70 and 100km per day – the van’s core audience. According to research carried out by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, these parameters apply to around 85% of the trips made in an urban setting.

The findings will be used to help shape the final design for the eCrafter, which is aimed at city operations and has a 100kW power output, range of around 160km (99 miles) and top speed limited to 90kph (55mph).

The eCrafter is also fitted with lithium-ion battery integrated into the underbody, giving rise to a cargo volume of 10.7 m3 along with a loading width of 1,380mm and loading height of 1,861mm and maximum payload of between 1.0 and 1.75 tonnes depending on the version.

Charging time takes 5 hours 20 minutes using a 7.2kw AC wallbox or an 80% charge can be delivered in 45 minutes at a 40kW CCS charging station.

Standard equipment will inckyde Park Assist with side protection, a multifunctional camera and a rear view camera system, along with automatic climate control, seat heating, comfort seats, a navigation system, mobile phone preparation module and LED headlights.

The e-Crafter will be available in September 2018.