B-ON, the company founded by the acquisition of StreetScooter from DeutschePost DHL back in 2022, has signalled a dramatic shift in styling and capability with the unveiling of Pelkan, an electric delivery vehicle designed for urban logistics.
B-ON, the successor to StreetScooter, unveiled a preview of its latest electric delivery vehicle, the Pelkan, at the Japan Mobility Show. The Pelkan is set to make its global debut and become available for purchase in the coming year.
Designed for urban delivery purposes, the new van from B-ON utilises the Mobility in Harmony (MIH) open vehicle platform, developed by contract manufacturer Foxconn in 2020. In the press photos released, the Pelkan boasts a futuristic design, complete with a continuous light bar.
The Pelkan features a maximum power output of 85kW, with a peak torque of 256Nm, and will be offered with two battery options, providing 43 and 54kWh of capacity. With the larger 54kWh battery, the van is expected to achieve a WLTP range exceeding 250 kilometers. Fast charging is also a highlight, as it’s projected to take under 30 minutes to charge from 30 to 80 percent at a DC charging station. The AC charging process, from 0 to 100 percent, is stated to take “under 8 hours.”
B-ON reports that the Pelkan will have a payload capacity of 1,235 kilograms and a top speed of 120 km/h. The vehicle’s external dimensions are specified as 5,725 x 1,850 x 2,515 mm, with a wheelbase of 3,380 mm.
B-ON aims to distinguish itself not only through the vehicle’s striking appearance but also with an optional “intelligent parcel delivery system.” This system is designed to streamline the loading and unloading of parcels, saving time and effort for drivers. It will also be available as an add-on for installation in other vehicles starting from the second quarter of 2024. The full premiere of the Pelkan is scheduled for January 2024 at CES in Las Vegas, with availability to customers expected in the following year.
B-ON has experienced recent changes in leadership, with the co-founder and president, Bruno Lambert, set to replace the current CEO, Stefan Krause. Just over a month ago, B-ON GmbH in Germany filed for insolvency, but this development does not affect other international B-ON entities, claims the company.
B-ON took over the production of StreetScooter from Deutsche Post in January 2022. It’s worth noting that B-ON did not acquire StreetScooter itself but rather its manufacturing operations. The transition to the name B-ON was finalised in May, accompanied by the launch of a comprehensive range of electrification services, in addition to its vehicle lineup. This transformation positions B-ON as an all-encompassing e-vehicle solutions provider, offering fleet owners a seamless transition to electric vehicles by providing vehicles, charging infrastructure, energy management, financing, service, maintenance, driver training, and advanced telematics through a single point of contact for the customer.
B-ON is headquartered in Luxembourg and has subsidiaries in the USA, Great Britain, Japan, China, and Latin America, in addition to its operations in Germany.
