Volkswagen: Crafter as an electric transporter
LAST MILES Battery-powered electric vehicles make sense within a city, as long as they don't leave it. Volkswagen is now also in this class with the fully electric e-Crafter. With the e-Crafter, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles also started with market research. And it delivered clear results on the question of the right use of an electrically powered van: [...]
Market research was also the starting point for the e-Crafter at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. And it delivered clear results on the question of the right use of an electrically powered van: One in two of the application profiles investigated fits the electric drive. One third of the trips investigated are made by logistics service providers, and they use their vehicles very intensively.
Daily range average 70 kilometers
In the last mile, the car operates six days a week, nine hours a day, stopping between 50 and 100 times during its trips. 85 percent of the trips take place in urban areas. The top speed driven during these trips does not exceed 90 km/h, and the daily range averages 70 kilometers. The market researchers were happy to take note of this; because it means the range - and thus the battery size - can be designed so that even air conditioning or heating and one or two extra trips can't drain the intended battery.
Upscale equipment in the class sets the tone
Unlike many commercial vehicles in this class, however, the equipment level is different. Today's drivers want to be pampered at work, Marketing found. Every driver insists on a radio, 70 percent want to use electronic devices (smart divices), 55 percent appreciate air conditioning, 35 percent even a parking heater and 15 percent want navigation on board. In addition, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle not only wants to meet upmarket demands with its first electric transporter, but also to set an example. Swiss prices have not yet been set.
