The world’s first ‘off-the-shelf’ electric van, the Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL, is now eligible for the Government’s new Plug-In Van Grant, reducing costs by 20%.

Each van qualifying for the Grant must emit less than 75g/km CO2, be capable of at least 60 miles between charges, more than 50mph and to ensure safety, be approved by ‘European Vehicle Type Approval’.

Run using 16 Lithium-ion battery modules that have a combined capacity of 36 kWh, the Vito E-CELL has a maximum range of 130km (80 miles) on a single six-hour charge from a 380/400 volt input. The electric motor has an output of 60 kW (82hp), with 280 Nm of torque and, taking into consideration the E-CELL’s usual area of operation and to facilitate the highest battery range possible, the top speed is limited to 80 km/h (50 mph).