Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Mercedes Benz, UK

For a over a year, Eco City Vehicles (EVC) has successfully been offering London taxi drivers a more modern choice of vehicle in the shape of the Vito from Mercedes Benz (pictured above). Now comes word that the company aims to sell an all-electric version as well. Affixed with the fitting appellation "Mercedes Electric eVito Taxi" or "eVito" for short if you like (and we do, thank you very much), the new variation shares with its diesel cousin a special rear-wheel-steering set-up that allows it to meet the famous 25-foot turning radius required of the city's cabs. What it doesn't share is its new tailpipe-free drivetrain.
Fitted with a 70 kW (94 horsepower) motor from Zytec Automotive drawing electricity from a lithium-ion battery pack, the eVito is said to be capable of 120 miles of "typical" mixed cycle driving with performance much the same as the original Mercedes taxis. With hopes of having a product on the streets before the 2012 Olympics that will meet the Mayor Boris Johnson's proposed new clean air standards, EVC will begin "controlled trials" later this year to make sure the modified machines can deal with the rigors of London taxi life. Official press release after the break.
*UPDATE: Apparently, Eco City Vehicles was not involved here. See clarification press release after the jump as well.
[Source: Eco City Vehicles]
Continue reading Eco City Vehicles reveals upcoming all-electric taxi *UPDATE
Eco City Vehicles reveals upcoming all-electric taxi *UPDATE originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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