With many manufacturers releasing often-wacky concepts of electric commercial vehicles these days, Volkswagen has gone one step further by revealing this “near production-ready” e-Crafter concept. And it previews a vehicle that will go on sale in 2017.
The news comes shortly after the new Crafter’s official reveal earlier this month.
The e-Crafter concept delivers 100 kW and 290 N.m to the wheels via a 43 kWh lithium-ion battery. This gives it a top speed of 80 km/h with a range of 208 km. Charging from empty to around 80% is said to take around 45 minutes.
The concept says the payload comes in at 1 709 kg, with 11 300 dm3 of cargo space on offer. With its battery pack, the e-Crafter concept weighs in at 4 250 kg.
Volkswagen says it has configured the e-Crafter so that a bigger battery can be implemented at a later stage. It intends for the range to be increased to 400 km in the years after its release.
No images of the interior are available, VW states that the cabin will be equipped with a “power meter” in place of the rev counter, as well as a leather steering wheel and black seats with blue accenting.
The e-Crafter is set to be released in Europe early next year.
