The all-electric, zero-emission Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL has won the coveted accolade of ‘Most energy-efficient LCV (in production)’ at the 2011 RAC Future Car Challenge.

Entrants in electric and hybrid vehicles, and others powered by hydrogen fuel cells, were challenged to use as little energy as possible to complete a 60-mile route, with the Vito E-CELL proving the most efficient in its class.

The Mercedes-Benz contender was one of 65 low- and zero-emission vehicles taking part in the second Brighton to London Future Vehicle Challenge, which seeks to promote the latest low-energy vehicle technology. It was a joint entry by The Hyde Group and Elektromotive, with support from Mercedes-Benz UK, and completed the route with a recorded 28% of its charge still unused.

“This is a fantastic accomplishment for the Vito E-CELL,” said a delighted Steven Bridge, Van Sales & Marketing Director for Mercedes-Benz UK. “As a full factory built and supported vehicle, we know it has a great deal to offer operators. This event has proved that the vehicle has a useable range and is very capable in terms of its low energy consumption.”

The Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL was the first battery-electric van to be introduced ex factory by any automobile manufacturer. With its emission-free drive system, it is ideally suited to operation in inner-cities and environmentally sensitive areas. The Vito E-CELL produces no emissions and is almost silent, yet imposes no restrictions on the operator in terms of load capacity and payload.

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