VW to launch a new all-electric commercial van with ~124 miles of range next year

When Volkswagen announced its plan to build 2 to 3 million all-electric cars a year and unveil 30 new models under its brands by 2025, we all thought of new VW, Audi or Porsche models, but now the German automaker announced a new model under its Volkswagen Commercial vehicle brand.

The e-Crafter is an all-electric version of VW’s Crafter commercial van. It will have limited speed with its 43 kWh Li-ion battery pack, but it will be able to travel 200 kilometres (124 miles) on a single charge according to the automaker.

GreenCarCongress reports:

With a permitted total weight of 4.2 tonnes, the concept vehicle is equipped with a 100 kW, 290 N·m motor powered by a 312-cell (26 x 12), 43 kWh Li-ion battery pack. Maximum permitted speed is 80 km/h (50 mph).

The concept vehicle’s battery pack is fitted under the cargo space floor; cargo space capacity thus remains unchanged from conventionally powered Crafters. Depending on vehicle configuration, the battery unit enables a range of more than 200 kilometres (124 miles). Subject to sufficient charging current capacity, the batteries can also be charged back up to 80% in 45 minutes at 40 kW.

Volkswagen added that the platform is built to support bigger battery packs for up to 400 kilometers (249 miles) of range. The first version of the van should hit the European markets in 2017.