The Volkswagen e-Crafter – the future of German LCV

12 September 2018

Volkswagen NFZ presented in Hannover electroforged e-Crafter

Brand Volkswagen Commercial vehicles (VW NFZ) is a cargo on the Motor show in Hamburg (IAA’18) new e-Crafter – commercial electric vehicle, designed to carry to 1.72 tonnes of cargo. In September of this year, e-Crafter with electric motor power of 100 kW will be naturally included in the family of Crafter of the second generation, becoming the first full-size van of the Volkswagen brand with zero emissions. This model of electric car based on all-metal van with a high roof will be the first in a planned broad range of electric and hybrid cars Volkswagen NFZ.



New electric e-Crafter thanks to zero emissions suitable for use in any areas with environmental restrictions literally around the world. In the long-term strategic advantage e-Crafter will be no restrictions on entry to certain areas of cities, which takes into account the emissions class and the type of actuator. Such zones already exist in the present, for example, in Hamburg or Paris. Accordingly, the e-Crafter is designed specifically for businesses operating in urban areas such as craft workshops, retail outlets, power grids, Shuttle, taxi and delivery service the "last mile" to the courier and transport companies. Even before entering the market e-Crafter has already received an award of the European Transport Award for Sustainability 2018 in category "Vans and utility vehicles".

Power reserve of new items correspond to model runs of similar cars with internal combustion engines in real life. The electric car is meets the needs in everyday travel, standing in front of city vans: power reserve e-Crafter reaches 173 km (on the NEDC cycle), and the maximum speed reaches 90 km/h.



Before you start developing your e-Volkswagen Crafter specialists NFZ studied 210 000 travel options from more than 1,500 customers. The study showed that the majority of van drivers daily mileage is between 70 and 100 km So that Volkswagen NFZ "sharpened" the new e-Crafter specifically for such are runs that are naturally associated with frequent stops. It is for this reason, the concept of exploitation e-Crafter is not aimed at maximizing mileage. Instead, the developers focused on achieving the so-called "practical reserve", corresponding to real daily tasks. This adaptive approach allowed us to keep the price of the electric vehicle at the level of the competing models through the use of a more compact battery.



At the time of market entry the base price of the new e-Crafter in Germany set at €69 500. Chassis new items as well as other models in the Crafter II, will be manufactured at the company's plant in the Polish city of Wrzesnia. And here is the final Assembly of the actuator will be implemented at the main plant of Volkswagen NFZ in Hannover.

The development of e-Crafter was conducted simultaneously with the diesel models TDI, optimized for the requirements of Euro-6. Thus, the e-Crafter is not just converted in a conventional electric car, and the modification with zero emissions initially provided in the framework of the second generation Crafter. This allowed Volkswagen NFZ to use the platform of the large delivery vans for the optimal integration of electric drive components. So, for example, a compact lithium-ion battery pack installed under the floor of the e-Crafter, which allows unrestricted use of the useful volume of the cargo compartment. So, with a total height of the vehicle is equal to 2590 mm, the amount of space for cargo reaches 10.7 m3. The same applies to other important dimensions of the car, such as the width of the loading opening (1380 mm) and the height of the cargo compartment (1861 mm). Depending on the specific configuration, the maximum capacity of Elektrosila is 975 kg up to 1720 kg. the Power unit including motor, gear box and differential, brought together in a compact unit that is manufactured at the factory of components of the Volkswagen group in Kassel.



Synchronous motor EEM85 is located under the bonnet of the e-Crafter and can reach a peak of 100 kW of power and 290 nm of torque. Power is transmitted to the front wheels via a single-stage automatic gearbox 290 EQ designed specifically for commercial electric vehicles. In addition, the drive system includes an engine control unit and power electronics that control the flow of electricity between electric motor and battery. The power electronics module converts the direct current lithium-ion battery pack into alternating current. In addition, the Converter generates DC voltage 12V to supply the power-supply system.

Since the electric motor develops maximum thrust almost since the beginning of the movement, e-Crafter has an excellent tegometall. For example, the e‐Crafter is quite capable of coping with steep ascents Blankenese in Hamburg or Montmartre in Paris due to its ability to overcome the 20% slope. Electrofuge is characterized by high efficiency: the power consumption at the useful load 975 kg is in combined cycle is 21,54 kW/100 km.

When charging for a "fast" 40-kW CCS station battery pack e-Crafter with a capacity of 35.8 kWh charged 80% in just 45 minutes. International standard Combined Charging System (CCS) fast-charging stations for charging uses a constant current. Standard e-Crafter supports this charging system. When you use a slow wall charger station AC power 7,2 kW battery new electric car charged at 100% for 5 hours and 20 minutes. Such a charge usually applies for night Parking of the electric vehicle at the facilities of the companies.



As mentioned above, the e-Crafter is created on the basis of the second generation model appeared on the market in 2017. Thanks to the original appearance and numerous technical innovations, Crafter II became one of the most successful models of light commercial vehicles in 2018. Thus, in the first half of this year sales of Volkswagen NFZ has increased sales of the family Crafter by 24.5% to 26 800.

Electric e-Crafter is also equipped with the most advanced assistance systems for the driver, systems, comfort and infotainment systems.
So, the standard equipment of the model includes multi-functional front camera, rear camera and Parking assistance ParkPilot. The Parking aid provides side protection with all-round visibility, and 16 ultrasonic sensors reduce the risk of damage to the van or other cars when maneuvering into tight spaces. Series Crafter became the first LCV, received in as standard automatic emergency braking system that helps to avoid repeated collisions in the event of an accident. In addition, the basic equipment of models includes assistant stabilization with a strong side wind (windage in a large van hefty). Among other standard systems e-Crafter provides led headlights with low and high beam, and daytime running lights, auto climatic Climatronic, heated seats, heat pump and heated windscreen, comfortable seats and a navigation system Discover Media App Connect support for the integration of mobile smartphone applications with voice control and connection interface of the mobile phone. As options are offered by the mobile online services Car-Net Guide & Inform.



In testing e-Crafter at the invitation of Volkswagen NFZ participated in some of the larger European customers. Their first impressions and follow-up recommendations were analyzed to eliminate "childhood diseases" at the production version of the e-Crafter. In the concluding road tests e‐Crafter was attended by 25 companies from Germany, Netherlands, UK and Sweden, in corporate parks which operated 38 pre-production electric vehicle. Electric van successfully passed the test of real work on a daily basis. Even under the most severe operating conditions of the electric vehicle was able to demonstrate in daily trips, average mileage per charge at 100 km. in addition, representatives of courier and transport industry, said "the excellent handling and space for cargo." Also e-Crafter showed "good dynamic performance even when fully loaded" and was generally praised for "excellent driving comfort, manoeuvrability and good stability on the road." The testers also noted the "comfort and ease of movement" and "good dynamics".

List of all 25 companies that took part in the practical road tests:
– Albert Heijn (supermarkets);
– Cambridge City Council (County Cambridge);
– Coca Cola (beverages);
– DHL (courier and transport services);
– DPD (courier and transport services);
– EnBW (energy);
– Enercity (energy);
– Enercon (energy);
– Gatwick (London airport);
– GLS (courier and transport services);
– GO! (courier and transport services);
– Heijmans (construction company);
– Hermes (courier and transport services);
– Lekkerland (a large retail and logistics);
– Medux (health);
– N-Energie (energy);
– Ocado (online supermarket);
– Postnl (courier and transport services);
– Sandd (courier and transport services);
– Scania (commercial cars);
– Southwark Council (the district of Southwark in London);
– Temps (painting);
– UPS (courier and transport services);
Volkswagen NL (importer: the Netherlands);
– Volkswagen UK (importer: UK).

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