From the past, let’s make a clean sweep! In Hanover, Germany, the gigantic trade show for commercial and industrial vehicles, the IAA Transportation, swears by electric vehicles. For utility vehicles, it’s even 100%. At Renault, Volkswagen, Ford or Iveco, the utilities on display are electric, even hydrogen. But from Diesel, period. Hide these engines that we cannot see… Four years have passed between the two editions, the IAA 2020 had been canceled due to the Covid, and the observation is clear: electric has become hegemonic. The proof with this little overview of the new features presented.
Let’s start this overview with Renault. What’s new on the stand? The Trafic E-Tech Electric of course, but also the Master E-Tech Electric and the Kangoo E-Tech Electric. All exhibited in standard or bodied and equipped versions, such as this Master Electric in a large volume body version or a Kangoo Electric intended for the transport of people with reduced mobility.
In another vein, Renault is responding to the great van life fashion of the moment, by exhibiting the Renault Trafic Space Nomad as well as a concept car, the Hippie Caviar Motel. Not to be confused with the Hippie Caviar Hotel, based on Trafic Electric. The Hippie Caviar Motel is designed based on a Kangoo Electric L2. He sees himself as the companion of adventurous sportsmen. And if the roof has rails to store skis, it is also panoramic to admire the stars once lying on the bench seat that has become a bed. For its part, Hyvia is continuing its rounds of trade fairs with its three Master H2-Tech, powered by hydrogen. The opportunity to emphasize that tests of the hydrogen van are currently being carried out in France with partners such as Chronopost, Engie or Orange
The ID Buzz Cargo in all its states
At Volkswagen, the star is obviously the ID. Buzz Cargo, just crowned with the International Van of the Year 2023 trophy. The opportunity to discover the ID. Buzz Cargo with hinged rear doors, more suitable for professional use than the tailgate fitted to the models of the first tests. Also present are some Cargo already transformed, equipped or fitted out by German specialists, demonstrating that this ID. Buzz can become a pick-up or a workshop vehicle or even an emergency vehicle.
Another star of the brand’s stand, the Amarok pick-up, which will not be on our land until next spring. An imposing pick-up that also accepts fittings and can, for example, become an ambulance.
Waiting for the Custom PHEV
At Ford, around multiple E-Transits and the new Ford Ranger and Raptor, it was the Transit E-Custom that held the spotlight, exhibited in a crew cab version. Ford took the opportunity to discuss the brand new plug-in hybrid version of the Custom PHEV, which will be equipped with a new 2.5-liter gasoline engine and an 11.8 kWh battery providing an electric range of 57 kilometers. Also announced is the Transit Custom Diesel EcoBlue with 110, 136, 150 or 170 horsepower.
An eDaily for all uses
Iveco created a certain sensation at this show with the very next eDaily. Why feeling? Because the advertised performances and capacities of this very next Daily seem very high and even unique in the market for large electric vans. The eDaily will be offered in van, cab, double cab, chassis and minibus versions from 3.5 to 7.2 t GVW, in single wheel and twin wheel versions, with several heights and wheelbases. The eDaily can be equipped with 1, 2 or 3 batteries of 37 kWh. With a maximum power of 140 kW (190 horsepower) and developing a torque of 400 Nm, it displays a maximum speed of 120 km/h.
At his side, a Daily hydrogen chassis, the result of a partnership between the Italian manufacturer and Hyundai. The eDaily FCEV, with a GVW of 7.2 tonnes, has a 140 kW electric motor, an Iveco battery and a 90 kW Hyundai fuel cell. This prototype has six tanks that can hold 12 kilos of hydrogen, allowing a range of 350 kilometres.
Iveco also exhibited this imposing Daily 4×4. It’s heavy: 5 meters long, 7 tonnes GVW, up to 4.3 tonnes payload, 5 meters long. And under its hood a 3-liter 180 horsepower coupled to an 8-speed automatic transmission. This Tigrotto is a special series featuring the finery of the Tigrotto of the 50s and 60s.
