2019 Volkswagen e-Crafter Electric Van (UK)

The e-Crafter was developed for all businesses which are active in urban areas: the "last mile deliverers" in the courier and logistics sector, craftsmen, retailers, energy suppliers and shuttle and taxi services. The e-Crafter effortlessly handles the real-world requirements for everyday use of city vans with its driving range of up to 173 kilometres (per NEDC) and a top speed limited to 90 km/h.

Analysis of extensive mobility patterns and trends provided a reliable basis for this configuration. In advance of the e-Crafter's development, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles evaluated 210,000 driving profiles from more than 1,500 customers. This study showed that most drivers cover between 70 and 100 kilometres per day with their van. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles designed the new e-Crafter precisely for these distances – which often involve many starts and stops as well. That is why the e-Crafter concept was not produced for maximum range, but rather with a focus on a practical range relevant to everyday driving. This approach keeps its price on the same level as the competition due to the more compact battery size. The new e-Crafter will launch at a net price from 69,500 euros (Germany). Like all Crafter vehicles, the chassis of the new model will be produced at the Wrzenia plant (Poland). Final assembly of the electrical components will take place at the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brand's main plant in Hannover.

Zero-emission van is based on second generation Crafter
The e-Crafter was developed in parallel with models that have emission-optimised Euro-6 diesel engines (TDI). This yields crucial benefits: The e-Crafter is not simply a vehicle that has been retrofitted with an electric drive system; rather the second generation Crafter was created with the zero-emission model in mind. Consequently, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles was able to use the large delivery van's architecture for optimal integration of the electric drive components. One example of this is the space-saving mounting location of the lithium-ion battery in the underbody of the e-Crafter. This enables full utilisation of the 2,590 mm tall high-roofed van's cargo capacity of 10.7 m3. The same applies to other important dimensions such as the vehicle's through-loading width (1,380 mm) and cargo compartment height (1,861 mm). Maximum payload is between 0.975 and 1.72 tonnes depending on the configuration of the customer order.

Electric motor, gearbox and differential combined in a compact module
The electric motor – an EEM85 synchronous motor – is integrated at the front of the e-Crafter. It produces 100 kW of peak power and 290 Nm of torque. Power is transferred to the front wheels via a single-speed automatic gearbox (EQ 290) designed for commercial vehicles. Together, the engine, gearbox and differential form a compact module. This unit is manufactured at the Volkswagen Group's components plant in Kassel. Other technical elements of the drive system include the engine controller and the power electronics. The latter controls the flow of high-voltage energy between the electric motor and the battery. The power electronics module converts the direct current (DC) stored in the lithium-ion battery to alternating current (AC). Meanwhile, a DC/DC converter generates the 12 V for the electrical system in the vehicle.

Torque-strong electric motor is an ideal fit for the large Crafter
Electric motors develop their maximum torque practically from a standstill. This gives the e-Crafter superior performance on the road. Another advantage: Whether it is being driven in the stair quarter of Hamburg Blankenese or in Montmartre in Paris, the e-Crafter is more than up to steep uphill driving thanks to its ability to handle 20 per cent gradients. Nonetheless, the zero-emission van is very energy efficient. Its electrical consumption with a 0.975 tonne payload is 21.54 kW/100 km (combined).

Battery is 80 per cent charged in 45 minutes at a CCS charging station
At a CCS charging station operating at 40 kW (direct current), the battery (energy capacity 35.8 kWh) can be charged to 80 per cent of its energy capacity in just 45 minutes. CCS is an acronym for the internationally standardised Combined Charging System – a system which charges with direct current and is integrated as standard in the e-Crafter. If an AC wallbox supplying 7.2 kW (alternating current) is used, the battery can be charged to 100 per cent within 5 hours 20 minutes. This is generally done overnight at a company's operations facilities.