Municipalities as well as municipal and commercial companies can again apply for funding for the purchase of e-vehicles. However, only particularly light electric vehicles are subsidized.
At the beginning of 2021, the Federal Ministry of Transport provided a double-digit million amount to promote e-vehicles in use by commercial and municipal vehicle fleets. The application deadline runs until the end of March 2021. However, support will be given to lightweight electric cars that offer particular advantages in terms of their ecological footprint. L7e is one of the eligible categories. Vehicles in this class are four-wheeled vehicles that are allowed to travel with an empty weight of 450 kilograms and a maximum net output of 15 kW / 20 PS. In the case of the electric representatives with L7 approval, the empty mass excludes the often heavy battery, which is why they can weigh more than L7 vehicles with a combustion engine. The small, emission-free trucks are particularly suitable for use in landscaping and horticulture, in amusement parks, on campuses or on company premises. They can also be an interesting alternative as delivery vehicles in city centers with narrow streets. The Stromer are also comparatively cheap.
Gold 458
The L7e transporter class, for example, includes the Ari 458, which Ari Motors has been selling in Germany since 2019. In its simplest platform version, the 3,15 meter short two-seater offers a loading area with space for a Euro pallet and a payload of 450 kilograms. In addition to two alternative platform versions with longer loading areas, there is also a platform variant with tarpaulin and a tipper version to choose from. The Ari 458 can also be ordered with box bodies in three different sizes. The 7,5 kW / 10 PS strong drive accelerates to 78 km / h. Depending on the battery selected, a range of 120 to 495 kilometers is possible. The prices for the Ari 458 start at 11.700 euros net.
G2
Also available in Germany since 2019 is the L7e-homologated G2 lightweight truck from the French manufacturer Goupil, which, like the Ari, can be ordered with different body variants and with different battery sizes. The approximately 3,30 meter short and 1,10 meter wide mini-truck should allow up to 500 kilograms of payload and a range of up to 100 kilometers. Its top speed is a bit modest at 30 km / h. The price, however, is not: before VAT, you should expect more than 20.000 euros.
Able
The German offshoot of the US company Tropos Motors has been offering the Able electric pickup truck since spring 2020. In addition to the basic ST version with a gel battery and a range of 80 kilometers, there are also the XT1 and XT2 variants with a lithium-ion battery for a range of 100 to 260 kilometers. The 10 kW / 14 PS strong and 3,70 meter short Able XT achieves a top speed of 60 km / h in both battery versions. As a commercial vehicle, it can therefore also keep up in urban use. In addition to a platform version, Tropos also offers a box body with up to 4.500 liters of storage space. The payload should be 565 kilograms. The net starting price for the ST is 18.000 euros, the XT1 costs at least 23.000 euros and the large battery 4.000 euros extra. The superstructures, which are actually subject to a surcharge - regardless of whether they are flatbed or suitcase - buyers get an ST or XT free of charge until the end of March.
Aixam e-truck
The French manufacturer Aixam, best known for its mini cars, also has an all-electric miniature truck in its stable with the e-truck at net prices starting at around 16.800 euros. The Stromer, which weighs 440 kilograms with a battery, has a payload of 327 kilograms. A 6 kW / 8 PS electric motor with a roughly 7 kWh lithium battery serves as the drive. The maximum speed is specified with 45 km / h, the range should be 80 kilometers. The 2,91 meter short two-seater has a 1,47 by 1,40 meter loading area.
eBusy
For this year, the German company Electric Brands has announced that they want to bring a versatile electric vehicle called eBussy onto the market. It should be available on the basis of a 3,64 meter short body as a chassis or pick-up as well as with a flatbed or box body. The manufacturer specifies an empty weight of 450 to 600 kilograms, depending on the variant, and a load of up to one ton should be possible. The useful electrician is also being considered as a people carrier with up to four seats or even as a mobile home conversion. With its 15 kW / 20 PS four-wheel drive, a top speed of 90 km / h should be possible. Three battery variants with 10, 20 or 30 kWh are provided. The latter should allow a range of up to 600 kilometers. Prices start at around 16.000 euros for the base.
