The future of transportation: alternative drive concepts.
Mobility and sustainability? Naturally what springs to mind for most people here is the opportunities offered by electromobility. But which other alternative drive concepts could also become relevant for vans in future? A comparison.
Vans keep the world in supplies.
Getting from A to B has long since ceased to be the car's only purpose. Vans in particular achieve much more than this, as they are flexible in their possible applications: they keep our economy running, supply us with goods and are more or less the second living room for the doers of this world. This means that they are needed more than ever before. With an eye on the future, naturally the question of the sustainability of vans comes up, too. Mercedes-Benz has made a statement here in the form of the eSprinter and the eVito. Electromobility in an elegant form for commercial use? Check. But is there really no alternative to electromobility when it comes to the future of driving?
Electromobility is gaining ground.
What is it exactly that characterises an electric drive? Electricity that is stored in a lithium-ion battery operates an induction motor here. Zero-emission and virtually noise-free, electric vehicles, driven by the correct mix of power, are taking a key step into clean and quieter cities of the future. It goes without saying that these days they are also suitable for longer journeys, due to their greater range. And the extension of the appropriate infrastructure is continually advancing: in 2020 in Germany alone there are around 19,000 charging stations which ensure that our eVans don't run out of juice.
Exhaust gases that vanish into thin air.
Always in discussion, but also always "not yet ready"? Naturally we're talking about the fuel cell. What sounds like rocket science to some turns out to be a true natural when it comes to sustainable drive technology. Hydrogen is oxidised, protons move through a membrane which is impenetrable for electrons. The only way out for the electrons is into the induction motor. The result: electricity lands in the motor, and only water vapour flows out of the exhaust pipe. If the oxidation of hydrogen is combined with the technology of an electric car, the result is a powerful and pollutant-free alternative for the automotive future. And the wealth of new knowledge in the field of electromobility is also harnessed for this drive type.
A versatile gas.
The most common chemical element in the universe also gets things moving by other means – not just through the fuel cell. In liquid form, hydrogen can function as a traditional fuel for a combustion engine. With a level of efficiency between that of petrol and diesel the gas ensures virtually emission-free driving pleasure. This is because – just as with the fuel cell – the main component of the exhaust gases is water vapour and water. So this technology could also help take sustainable mobility to new heights.
A horizon with perspective.
The history of the car teaches us that we are capable of doing things we would never have dreamed possible even a short time beforehand. This makes the future of goods and passenger transportation appear all the more exciting. Businesses are already able to distribute goods to customers in the eSprinter or take employees to construction sites in the eVito, all with a clear conscience. The foundations for sustainable mobility have been laid. And at Mercedes-Benz we will continue to bring out vans which embody a healthy balance between economic operations and sustainability.
The conversions shown were made by independent third-party providers. The providers and the conversions were not checked by Mercedes-Benz. The photos in no way serve as an evaluation by Mercedes-Benz of the provider and/or conversions in question.