Ford And DHL’s All-Electric StreetScooter Could Be The Future Of Commercial Vans

Ford has just started production of the StreetScooter Work XL, an all-electric commercial van that will be used by Deutsche Post. The StreetScooter could very well prove to be first in a commercial vehicle revolution.

Ford will initially build 3500 units of the StreetScooter Work XL at its manufacturing site in Cologne, Germany. The vehicle is powered by a bespoke battery-electric drivetrain and has a payload of up to 1275 kg (2810 lbs).

A number of different electric motor and battery configurations will be sold with the StreetScooter, the most powerful of which will have 120 hp and 203 lb-ft of torque. Battery capacity sits at 76 kWh, enough for a 200 km (124 mile) working range.

The automaker says each electric van will reduce CO2 emissions by 5 tonnes each year and save 1,900 liters of fuel. It’s not just these reductions which make the StreetScooter Work XL important; it could also help to accelerate the development and implementation of such vehicles from other manufacturers.

While some private car owners remain unconvinced by electric vehicles and are still often dissuaded by their high price tags and somewhat limited range, many commercial operators believe they are the way forward. Not only can the added costs of EVs be better offset by big corporations with large operating fleets, but electric vehicles, particularly delivery vans, could prove to be one of the only means of getting items to large city centers that may soon ban ICE-powered vehicles.

Discussing the new Ford Transit-based delivery vans, chief executive and founder of StreetScotter, Prof. Dr. Achim Kampker said: “With Ford, we have found the ideal partner who understands our flexible and customer-oriented way of production.

“Together, we are promoting electromobility in Germany and making inner city delivery traffic more environmentally friendly and quieter. With the new WORK XL StreetScooter, we now have the perfect e-van for parcel delivery in metropolitan areas, which in the future will also benefit other transport companies.”