The biennial IAA Hanover Commercial Vehicle Show was another victim of the pandemic, the last event having been staged in 2018. It returned with a new name in September – IAA Transportation, still at the Hanover show ground in Germany but staged over fewer days. Not surprisingly, electrification was a strong theme with a number of new electric vehicles making their debuts at the show. This included a number of light CVs and light trucks, as John Kendall reports.
Iveco eDaily >>
It’s not the first time that Iveco has offered an electric variant of its popular Daily van, but whereas high cost put customers off previously, the pressure of the impending emissions deadlines in Europe and the UK means that eDaily has found its time. In fact, Iveco had two variants of the electric model on display in Hanover, both the eDaily battery electric model and the eDaily H2, a hydrogen fuel-cell powered version of the electric Daily, jointly developed with Hyundai.
Iveco claims that eDaily offers up to 20m3 cargo volume, up to 4.6t payload and up to 3.5t towing capacity. It’s available in all the body styles that the internal combustion engine variants are built in, including van, chassis cab, chassis cowl, crew cab and minibus.
EDaily is supplied with a modular battery pack enabling customers to choose from one, two or three 37kWh battery modules, depending on their range and payload requirements. This arrangement can be continuously varied throughout the life of the vehicle. Batteries are covered by an eight-year/250,000km warranty.
EDaily can be charged from a variety of sources including AC chargers, or rapid DC chargers at up to 80kW. The charge port is at the front of the vehicle. Iveco has also launched a long-term rental offering with eDaily called Green and Advanced Transport Ecosystem (GATE).
Iveco displayed two limited edition variants of eDaily on its Hanover stand: Tigrotto and Leoncino, recalling products from the 1950s and 1960s. Leoncino is a retro interpretation of the new eDaily and Tigrotto is a variant of the 4x4 Daily.
The eDaily H2 prototype unveiled on the stand is a product of the memorandum of understanding between Iveco and Hyundai Motor Company, signed in March 2022. The prototype model is equipped with Hyundai’s 90kW hydrogen fuel-cell system and 140kW e-motor. Six tanks installed on the chassis offer a combined storage capacity of 12kg of hydrogen. Iveco claims a working range of 350km for the 7.2-tonne GVW prototype, a maximum payload of three tonnes and hydrogen refuelling time of 15 minutes. The vehicle is also equipped with a battery pack from Iveco Group’s FPT Industrial division.
Ford E-Transit Custom >>
Centre stage on the Ford stand was the recently revealed E-Transit Custom, due for launch in mid-2023. Using the same rear-wheel-drive drivetrain as the recently launched E-Transit, E-Transit Custom has a target range of 236 miles and is equipped with 125kW capacity rapid charging.
Ford also revealed other models in the new E-Transit Custom range including a new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model. This features a similar powertrain to the Kuga plug-in hybrid from Ford’s passenger car range. This includes a 2.5-litre Atkinson Cycle petrol engine - the current model uses Ford’s 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine. The new engine is paired with a 11.8kWh battery to provide an electric range of up to 35 miles as well as 2.3kW of power for Ford’s ProPower Onboard power system for tools and accessories.
Ford has also developed its Ford Pro Upfit integration system. Although not specifically for electric vehicles, the system is designed to accommodate the electrical requirements of vehicle conversions that need to be integrated with the vehicle’s electrical system. It will make its debut on the new Transit Custom range. The system includes an interface module that permits seamless connection to the vehicle’s electrical system. It also enables conversions to be controlled using the 13-inch SYNC 4 touchscreen in the vehicle, rather than using retrofitted switchgear. The new system will remove the need to cut into the vehicle’s wiring system to make connections.
Conversion performance – such as a refrigerated conversion, can be monitored from the touchscreen. The system will also permit linking to Ford Pro software packages to enable remote monitoring by fleet managers.
Fuso eCanter >>
Hanover provided the European launchpad for the new Fuso eCanter, which is available in a wider range than the current version. Fuso, a subsidiary of Daimler Trucks sells eCanter through selected Mercedes-Benz truck dealers. The company claims that the latest model offers 42 variants with six wheelbase lengths and a gross vehicle weight range between 4.25 tonnes and 8.55 tonnes. The current model is only available with a GVW of 7.49 tonnes and wheelbase of 3,400mm.
Models with a gross weight of 4.25 and 6.0 tonnes will be powered by a 110kW motor, while the heavier 7.49 and 8.55 tonne models will benefit from a 129kW motor. Both motors will deliver 430Nm of torque. Maximum speed will be limited to 55.3mph (89km/h).
Three different battery options are available, depending on vehicle wheelbase. These are categorised as S, M and L. The batteries are of the lithium phosphate type. S variant batteries have a nominal capacity of 41kWh, M variants are rated at 83kWh and L at 124kWh with a range of up to 200km. Current eCanter is offered with a single 81kWh battery option with a range of up to 100km.
The batteries can be charged using AC charging with both 11kW and 22kW charging available. Rapid DC charging can support charging at up to 104kW. This provides a 90% charge in around 36 minutes for S, 44 minutes for M and 1hr 15 minutes for L. A CCS charging connector will be fitted to new eCanter. The batteries are mounted under the chassis frame with a rigid steel bracket to provide crash protection in a frontal or side crash. In an accident, a crash sensor would automatically disconnect the high-voltage system.
Standard and Comfort cabs will be offered, Standard being 1.7m wide and Comfort 2.0m wide. Interior features include a multifunction steering wheel fitted with controls for the digital instrument cluster and automatic LED headlights, which dip automatically.
Other standard equipment includes an external low speed alarm to warn vulnerable road users, active sideguard assist when turning left for right-hand-drive models, and active brake assist with pedestrian detection. Right-hand-drive production is due to begin in July 2023. Orders open in January.
Maxus EH300
Maxus T90 EV
Maxus EH300 >>
The Maxus stand at the Hanover Show gave visitors a chance to see two new electrically powered models. Making its European debut at the show was the EH300 Maxus Electric Light Truck. This marks the Maxus brand’s entry into the 7.5-tonne sector with a 7.49-tonne gross vehicle weight for the EH300. Maxus claims a range of up to 132 miles (213km).
Features include a 128kWh capacity battery produced by CATL. This is expected to produce a power output from the drive motor of between 60 and 110kW. The vehicle will support both AC and DC charging, capable of supporting 22kW AC three-phase charging and charging at up to 102kW from a DC rapid charger. Expect the vehicle to arrive in UK dealers in late 2023 or early 2024. Prices will be available closer to the launch.
Displayed a few months ago at the CV Show at the NEC, Maxus unveiled a revised version of the T90 electric pickup. The most significant change is an uprating of the payload to 1,000kg, making the vehicle eligible for a refund of VAT and BIK tax concessions. Maxus is claiming a range of up to 205 miles (330km) (WLTP combined). The order books for the T90 EV are open now and delivery is expected early in 2023, with some early vehicles possibly arriving at the end of 2022.
Prices will start from £49,950 (excluding VAT & delivery).
<< Maxus T90 EV
Renault Trafic >>
The missing electric van in the Renault range has been the Trafic and Renault rectified that at the Hanover Show when the company unveiled the Trafic E-Tech Electric. Like other models in the Trafic E-Tech range it comes in two lengths (5.08m and 5.48m) with two roof height options (1.97m and 2.50m), offering load volumes between 5.8m3 and 8.9m3.
Trafic E-Tech Electric is powered by a 90kW motor and offers payloads up to 1,100kg. It will tow a trailer weighing up to 750kg. A 52kWh battery will offer a planned range up to 149 miles. The van comes with AC charging as standard, permitting charging from a 7kW wallbox charger or a 22kW three phase charger. Rapid charging is optional, with Renault providing a 50kW on-board charger for those who choose it.
