Electric micro transporters for inner cities
Small, but ah
Electric Brands Xbus
© press-inform – the press office
Electromobility is increasingly noticeable not only among private customers, but especially among small commercial vehicles. Electric microbuses are more interesting than ever for the last delivery mile.
Bollinger, already hailed by many off-road fans as the legitimate successor to the Land Rover Defender 4×4 square timber, backed out earlier this year. It was nothing with the cool electric off-roaders B1 and B2. Instead, the start-up, once founded in Hobart / New York, decided to seek its successful future solely in the commercial vehicle sector. “We’ve put countless hours of hard work and passion into creating something we’re all very proud of,” recalls Robert Bollinger, “but today we’re postponing their development and shifting our focus to commercial vehicles and fleets. That’s a very important step for us because it enables us to further develop our technology and make a real contribution to the green future of the automotive industry.” Meanwhile, Bollinger Motors in Oak Park, Michigan, focuses on building high-quality electric trucks for private and commercial use.
Not the first company that does not want to expose itself to the tough competitive pressure in the passenger car sector and relies entirely or at least partially on small trucks with electric drives. The situation is very similar with Fox E-Mobility and the electric Mia 2.0. The focus was once on a small city mobile for private users, with the small truck being planned more as a sideline. After the design of the two versions as a small electric car and delivery van was confirmed, the first real test vehicles will be on the road this year. In addition to the pure car variant, the focus is now on commercial use, which should be of particular interest for delivery services. The variable electric platform allows different derivatives of the Mia product family, each weighing around 1,000 kilograms, such as shorter or longer models for three / four passengers or small delivery vans for urban centers with a volume of 1,500 liters.
Electric Brands is entering a similar segment with its Xbus. The small truck or bus can be turned into an electric loading transporter or off-road convertible in just a few simple steps. The 600-kilogram electric flea is 3.96 meters long, 1.64 meters wide and around two meters high, depending on the version. In addition to the normal version, there is an off-roader with significantly more ground clearance – four-wheel drive is standard. The drive is provided by four wheel motors with up to 56 kW / 76 hp, which deliver 15 kW / 20 hp in continuous operation and are therefore intended to transport goods and three people, preferably in the city center. The maximum speed: 100 km/h. In the basic version with eight battery packs and thus 10 kWh, a range of at least 100 kilometers is possible.
The Electric Brands Xbus can change like a chameleon and is therefore just as suitable for delivery services, trade and commerce as it is for private leisure use. Two chassis are available for this: the Xbus City and Xbus Offroad. Both versions are available as a base and with eight different modules that can be swapped out by two people in just a few simple steps. “What immediately fascinated me about Ralf Haller’s idea is that it’s basically not just about a vehicle, but a concept with many possibilities,” explains designer Yaroslav Yakovlev, “so I had to design the base and the modules in such a way that they always form a harmonious unit.” As a bus, behind the standard module there is a rear cabin, side doors, tailgate, second row of seats and a cargo area. By folding down the second row of seats and the front passenger seat backrest, there is up to three cubic meters of cargo space. For delivery services, Electric Brands offers a box body and contractors can opt for a tipper. The central structure can be used as a safe for tools or house an additional battery pack. Other bodies are for a leisure convertible, camper or two pick-up versions. The base price: around 20,000 euros.
Tropos, based in Herne, offers its Able for delivery services, traders or craftsmen. The Tropos Able XT1 / XT2 electric transporter is currently available in two versions and with different structures. The length of 3.70 meters isn’t even that short when we measure the width at just 1.40 meters. The Able is optionally available with a lithium-ion battery pack with 13 or 26 kWh, which enables a range of 130 or 260 kilometers with a standard consumption of 10 kWh / 100 km. The small electric motor on the rear axle with 10 kW continuous and 24 kW maximum power enables a top speed of 85 km/h. Depending on the battery pack, the payload is between 580 and 700 kilograms. The superstructure includes a loading area that tilts backwards or to the side and a suitcase with sliding doors or a tarpaulin blind. Also being tested are vehicles with solar panels attached to the box body that extend the range. Here, however, it only starts at around 30,000 euros.