Electric Vehicles in ELCIDIS

Motorised traffic is the main source of pollution in most European cities. Electric vehicles offer a clean and energy-efficient alternative to vehicles with an internal combustion engine. In congested urban traffic the varying demand for power can be met more energy-efficiently by an electric engine. Battery-powered electric vehicles have a range of 80 - 100 km, making them suitable for almost all trips within urban areas.

Battery-powered electric vehicles are particularly suitable for use in urban distribution activities. Urban distribution vehicles make up to a hundred stops a day. An electric engine provides the power for stop-and-go traffic much more efficiently than an internal combustion engine. Urban distribution vehicles cover a maximum distance of about 80 kilometres a day.

This means that the range of electric vehicles is generally sufficient for the delivery of parcels and packages in urban areas. The cities involved in ELCIDIS will mostly use small and average sized battery-powered electric vans, with a payload of 400 - 1500 kg which are already available on the market, although not in large numbers. One of the main aims of the project is to demonstrate the capability of these vehicles for urban distribution activities.

Due to the large battery weight, there are few electric vehicles with a payload of over 1500 kg on the market. For companies planning to use urban distribution vehicles with a payload of over 1500 kg, hybrid electric vehicles are a good alternative. Hybrid electric vehicles are equipped with an internal combustion engine and an electric engine, which enables them to drive in the electric mode over short distances, for instance in city centres.

This means that hybrid electric vehicles are able to combine the advantages of clean transport with a high payload and a large range.