Mercedes-Benz is about to launch an electric version of the Vito which will be leased or sold alongside diesel versions during the second half of the year.
Steve Bridge, head of Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles said the decision to offer outright purchase as well as a lease was to take account of different customer needs.
Originally the plan was to follow suit with other European markets and offer a four-year lease at about £1,300 per month.
“For some operators, a four year lease would not be suitable and would prefer something shorter,” said Bridge, “While other customers might see a greater benefit in outright purchase.
“So we will be trying to create a more bespoke arrangement for individual customers.”
Bridge said there would be 50 right-hand drive Vito E-Cell models available this year, with more becoming available from 2012.
Although he said an asking price had not been set for outright purchase customers, he suggested it would be somewhere between the cost of a Smith Electric Ford Transit (at about £60,000) and the new Ford Transit Connect electric (at about £40,000).
He added that outright purchase customers would be given an agreed buy-back value, while all customers could stand to benefit from improvements in technology during the life of the vehicle.
Author
Simon Harris
01733 468308