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The FEST Chile team in Santiago hasn't spared its first electric commercial van, the E-Box M, the challenge to conquer the rugged terrains of the Andes. On this demanding mountain route, the compact e-van has exceeded all expectations in its performance and has demonstrated the remarkable economic and environmental advantages it brings.
The test drive of the E-Box M was conducted in July with the objective of assessing its capabilities in tough conditions by taking it to the literally breathtaking Andes mountains. It involved covering a distance of 82 kilometers, with a rise in altitude from Santiago, starting at 570 meters above sea level, to over 2,240 meters, without the possibility of recharging during the journey.
The selected track , known as the "High Mountain" route, required strict adherence to police instructions including even mounting snow chains, if road conditions made this necessary.
Departing from Santiago with a 92% charged battery, the initial aim was to reach Farellones, the first mountain village with a ski resort at 2,240 meters above sea level. Surprisingly, after 47 minutes of driving uphill, only 26% of the original battery cbarge was used. The test drive was thus continued to the nearby El Colorado ski resort. Even after this stretch, 61% of battery charge was still remaining, motivating the team to head to the third ski resort, La Parva. Ultimately, after visiting three ski resorts, only 35% of the total battery capacity was used.
During the return journey, the benefits of energy regeneration of the FEST E-Box M set in during braking. Its charge increased by 9% during the return trip to Santiago. On arriving back at the starting point, the battery level stood at 64%, resulting in a total battery usage of just 28% for the entire trip.
The cost savings were remarkable, with the total cost of the trip amounting to a mere 1,176 Chilean pesos (approximately $1.45 USD) if the electricity used would have to be paid. Using a comparable conventional gasoline-powered vehicle for this route would have cost approximately 10,000 Chilean pesos ( roughly $12.5 USD), representing an 850% increase in cost in comparison. Furthermore, a conventional fuel-powered vehicle would produce approximately 14,000 grams of CO2 on this journey, while E-Box M is, of course, a zero-emission vehicle.
The test drive through the Andes mountains has unequivocally demonstrated the E-box M's exceptional performance and impressive range, making it a highly promising choice for last-mile transportation, even in challenging conditions. Its energy recovery efficiency and substantial economic and environmental benefits distinguish it as a standout option in the realm of sustainable mobility.
