World Premiere: Mobility provider presents light vehicles at IAA Transportation

Mobility is changing profoundly. In times of climate crisis, sustainable forms of propulsion and new solutions for the transport transition are in demand. These are exactly the topics at the IAA Transportation (20th to 25thSeptember 2022) in Hanover. Here, among other things, electric light vehicles come into focus. The German company ElectricBrands is presenting three prototypes in world premieres.

In the automotive sector, change is in full swing. The entire industry is working on solutions for growing cities, remedies for the climate crisis, increased requirements for CO2limit values, electric drives and new vehicle concepts. Commercial vehicles are an interesting branch. Due to the high utilisation of these vehicles, innovations are particularly profitable for manufacturers in this segment. A class is increasingly coming into focus: The electric light vehicles. With their low weight, very good CO2 balance and low space consumption, they promise to be a key to the traffic turnaround.

The German mobility provider ElectricBrands, which developed the XBUS, is focusing on precisely this class – with three different types of vehicle. The interested public can experience these vehicles for the first time in Hanover at the IAA Transportation. There, the focus will be on challenges in mobility and on new, electric light vehicle solutions.

These ElectricBrandsworld premieres await the audience in Hanover:

XBUS S – The little brother is coming

After the premiere of the XBUS in July 2021 and three prototypes presented so far, the small version of the XBUS is now on the way: The XBUS S (prototype) masters the last mile with minimal consumption, little space requirement and plenty of transport capacity. It will be available with superstructures such as standard, refrigerated box or flatbed. It is efficient, sustainable and agile. Here are some facts: XBUS S has an electronically controlled all-wheel drive, front drive or rear drive. The battery has a total capacity of up to 18.4 kWh, of which 8.4 kWh are permanently installed. Optionally, the storage can be expanded by another 10 kWh through exchangeable batteries. In general, XBUS S is approx. 3,200 mm long, approx. 1,430 mm wide and approx. 1,730 mm high. For comparison: With a length of 3,945 mm, the XBUS is 74 centimetres longer. Depending on the body, the XBUS S has a load capacity (payload) with driver of approximately 750 kg and is a small space miracle with a load volume of up to 1,656 litres. XBUS S provides its own energy: Up to 6 m² of solar modules are integrated into the superstructures. The range is up to 120 km. The manufacturer points out that the data and specifications mentioned are preliminary and subject to change. Briefly summarised: In the medium term, there will be two chassis variants and nine modules for the XBUS family. The planned delivery is scheduled for 2024.

Evetta Cargo – The sustainable space miracle for cities

The Evetta Cargo, like the other Prima or Openair models, features the distinctive front door. According to the manufacturer, the lightweight construction serves this purpose: “To be green in business”. The Evetta Cargo is intended for stylish espresso vending carts and other urban delivery and business trips, for example. The Evetta Cargo can be opened via app and has plenty of storage space with 1,950 litres. With a top speed of 90 km/h and a range of 150 km, “the Cargo” should be able to master just about all urban delivery routes. It is small and manoeuvrable. The wheelbase of the Evetta Cargo is about 2,000 mm. It is approx. 1,500 mm wide, 1,800 mm high and 3,500 mm long. The loading space alone is 1,500 x 1,300 x 1,000 mm. The “space miracle” has a turning circle of approximately 9 m. The Evetta Cargo weighs about 800 kg including the battery (14 KWh). A payload of approx. 600 kg is possible. Its top speed is 90 km/h and its range is up to 150 km. Charging takes three to five hours at 230 V via a normal household socket.

Other Evetta Cargo-Specs

Included as standard in the interior: Heating, USB-C port with charging function, One Pedal Driving Mode, battery system temperature control, Eco & Sport driving mode switch, bench seat, speakers, optional extras, Bluetooth speaker removable, heated seats, steering wheel wood with baffle and logo, infotainment system with Carplay & Android Auto as well as DAB+, Cruise control, keyless entry & go via app, wireless charging pad for smartphones, seats with logo sticking / personal sticking, seat stitching in contrasting colour, creative engine sound (sporty), anti-theft alarm system, reversing camera, PDC, dashboard in contrasting colour plus premium floor mats and an air conditioning system. Outside, the Evetta Cargo standardoffers these features: Bi-colour foiling of the lower part of the vehicle, LED headlights with high beam and daytime running lights, exterior mirror flaps adjustable from the outside in chrome, steel rims, chrome wheel trims, dashboard with wood inlay, wallbox, type 2 charging cable, vehicle care set, leather charging cable bag (all in Evetta design). The manufacturer gives a two-year guarantee. He also stresses that technical data given is preliminary and subject to change. There are also first details about the production volume of the Evettas: From 2023, 5,000 units are planned, and from 2024, 30,000 to 40,000 Evettas per year. The Evetta Cargo is expected to be priced at €19,990.

NITO C+S – The Scooter for Heavy Duties

ElectricBrands is also enriching the growing European market for electric delivery and sharing scooters with a new product. In the midst of high demand and limited supply, the Nito C+S (Cargo and Share) represents a solid electric scooter that according to ElectricBrands “meets professional requirements and guarantees a long service life in vehicle fleets”. The Nito C+S offers a simple transport solution with various accessories and can make the work of, for example, a delivery service more profitable. The product design and materials are intended to guarantee a long service life for the vehicle. The scooter aims to “combine functionality, strength and beauty of design”. Goods and food delivery as well as other professional services should be possible at maximum performance, even when fully loaded and on routes with gradients. This is made possible by the increased power battery (72 V – 35 Ah). The transport of goods up to 100 kg should work without loss of performance. Incidentally, the Cargo and Share electric scooter uses the same drive as the Nito NES-Scooter, which is one of the most powerful on the market: It has a 72V, 35AH lithium-ion battery to power a 4KW hub motor. There will even be two models of the Nito C+S: The C+S.5 L1 travels at a maximum speed of 45 km/h, while the C+S.10 L3 travels at up to 90 km/h. In order to optimally manage weights and loading volumes and to enable the best driving style, the containers were positioned as low as possible on the transport trolley.

ElectricBrands – A Clear Philosophy

The company around founder and CEO Ralf Haller has been making a name for itself since 2020. ElectricBrands develops and produces electric light vehicles such as the XBUS and the Evetta as well as the Nito bikes in the scooter segment. According to CEO Haller, the focus is clear. “If we want to preserve nature, our resources and our planet, the time for ever heavier, larger and unnecessarily faster vehicles seems to be over. Our philosophy is to question the existing and to rethink electromobility. In the process, we are constantly discovering new things,” Haller continues, “that can help restore the ecological balance of mobility for future generations. That is why we are focusing on the light electric vehicle segment, because it is perfectly suited to provide ecological and sustainable urban mobility. We want to be a leader in this segment with practical but also exciting products.”

Current developments at ElectricBrands

Electric Brands is shaping the development in the mobility sector with striking steps. The German mobility provider will be led by CEO Ralf Haller in the future. He is supported by the designated COO Hans Stryewski. Furthermore, the company will not open its production site for the XBUS in Itzehoe, Schleswig-Holstein. According to the manufacturer, the reasons lie in the area of sustainability and logistics. As ElectricBrands also announced recently, the former CEO Martin Henne will take over the management of the newly founded Evetta GmbH. These personnel changes flow together with another significant change – that of the mode and location of production. A main location should be centrally located. This is also the case with a light vehicle manufacturer. Sustainability with short delivery routes, flexibility and automation as well as the training of experts (all genders) are the be-all and end-all at ElectricBrands.

Production in commission

In order to meet the requirements of regulation, sustainability and competition, ElectricBrands will have its own products such as the XBUS manufactured to order in the future. Various professional production lines in Germany or the Benelux countries are suitable for this purpose. For the reasons mentioned, the company favours a central location with good connections. “We are doing everything we can to ensure efficient and sustainable light vehicle production of the XBUS and other ElectricBrands products for our customers as planned. Our planned first delivery dates remain”, says Ralf Haller.