The e-born₃ is an innovative urban electric vehicle which can be
easily transformed from a van to a passenger vehicle. The e-born₃
was created from scratch as an electric vehicle, which permits
greater versatility in component packaging and volume usage. The
innovative character of the e-born₃ is developed along three lines:
passive safety performance, vehicle energy efficiency and the
ergonomic considerations linked to the interior layout.
The elimination of conventional combustion engine powertrain
elements together with the use of wheel-embedded electric motors
leads to certain freedom when packaging and designing the body in
white and vehicle interior. This freedom enables improvement of the
passive safety performance by permitting innovative concepts, such
as an innovative layout of the driver and passengers or a short
vehicle front end that minimizes pedestrian injuries.
The different combination of types of closures achieves a
versatile range of utilization, from taxi to load carrier and
family usage.
The second goal of the e-born₃ was optimal energy management.
The placement of the electric motor on the wheels permits a very
clean external body design, which leads to important advantages
regarding vehicle aerodynamics. The e-born₃ exterior body design
includes a clean smooth under body, together with closed front-end
grilles and an upper-bonnet optimized by means of CFD simulation,
which means minimal Cd in its class.
The third main innovation is the vehicle concept itself and the
versatility of usage. The e-born₃ can be easily transformed from a
passenger vehicle to a van by converting the four rear seats into a
flat floor. Furthermore, the e-born₃ includes innovative concepts,
such as, front and rear independent HVAC systems, two separate
loading spaces in the taxi configuration, etc.
To sum up, the e-born₃ is an optimal solution for the urban
mobility of persons and goods, regarding safety, vehicle efficiency
and usage versatility.