Audi’s Formula E team partner and official Volkswagen Group tuner has
unveiled two interesting electric conversions at the IAA Hannover commercial
vehicle show. They are based on the Caddy and Transporter vans, and can be had
both in cargo van or passenger configurations.
Starting off with the Caddy-based conversion, it’s
called e-Caddy and it will go into production by mid-2019. Based on the Caddy
Maxi long-wheelbase model, it’s showcased in Hannover as a taxi, given its
roomy cabin that can accommodate five passengers and their luggage. However, it
can also be built as a cargo van.
Instead of the regular model’s diesel or gasoline
engines, it’s powered by an electric motor that produces 111 PS/ and 200 Nm. A 37.3-kWh lithium-ion battery feeds the motor and
ensures a projected driving range of up to 220 km on a single
charge (NEDC).
ABT says the battery can be partially replenished to
80 percent in 49 minutes using a CCS fast charger. The top speed is limited at
120 km/h. The other VW van ABT has converted into an EV is the Transporter,
also showcased in Hannover as a taxi. Unlike the e-Caddy, the
e-Transporter is a concept car — for now at least. The e-Transporter is based
on the long-wheelbase version of the regular model, which means it can seat
nine passengers (as the e-Caravelle) or accommodate 6.7 cubic meters of cargo.
It gets the same 82-kW electric motor and two
battery options: the 37.3-kWh unit from the e-Caddy or a larger 74.6-kWh pack.
With the smaller battery, the driving range is estimated at 208 km while the bigger one offers a more reassuring 400 km of range.
However, the 74.6-kWh battery takes 98 minutes to
charge to 80 percent using the 40-kW CCS fast charging station. Using a 7.2 kW
AC charger, the battery needs 10 hours and 20 minutes to fully replenish, as
opposed to 5 hours and 10 minutes for the
