Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles delivered battery-electric versions of its Crafter cargo van to an international group of major customers for testing before it is released in September 2018.

The e-Crafter vehicles were delivered to package delivery services, energy suppliers, trades businesses and individual retailers who are based in locations such as Germany, Great Britain, the Netherlands, and Sweden. These customers have vehicles that cover between roughly 43 and 62 miles per day, according to Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

The customers will be testing the new electric vans until mid-2018.

“We have developed the new e-Crafter with our customers and for our customers. We are therefore now integrating selected fleet operators into an initial customer phase so that their findings in daily operations with the vehicles can flow into the final design of the zero-emission van,” said Dr. Eckhard Scholz, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

The e-Crafter has a 100 kW power output, range of around 100 miles, and top speed limited to 55 mph. It has a lithium-ion battery that is completely integrated into the underbody. This leaves it with a cargo volume of 377 cubic feet, according to the automaker. The transporter’s maximum payload is between 1.10 and 1.92 tons depending on the model.

At a charging station supplying 40 kW of direct current, the e-Crafter battery can be charged to 80% after just 45 minutes. Meanwhile, if an AC wallbox supplying 7.2 kW of power is used, the battery can be fully charged within 5 hours 20 minutes.

The e-Crafter will also launch on the market with driver assistance and convenience systems. Standard equipment includes park assist with side protection, a multifunctional camera, and a rear view camera system. Other standard features include automatic climate control, seat heating, comfort seats, a navigation system, mobile phone preparation module and LED headlights.