Mercedes-Benz Vans has joined forces with Europcar Mobility Group UK to offer trials of the eVito electric vehicle.
The trials will take place over the next six months and will make use of Geotab telematics technology and Sure-Cam in-cab dash cam technology to assess the van’s suitability for its customers’ individual operations.
Gary Smith, managing director, Europcar Mobility Group UK, said: “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 help Europcar shape its electric van rental solutions for the future, as well as provide Mercedes-Benz with valuable customer feedback.
They will also provide customers with first-hand experience of running the eVito, which offers a range of around 93 miles while retaining a cargo volume of 6.0m3 and offering a payload capacity of up to 923kg.
Steve Bridge, managing director, Mercedes-Benz Vans, 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.”
