Italian company Micro-Vett entered an electric hybrid Iveco Daily during last weekend's 2006 Michelin Challenge Bibendum. This year saw the 8th edition taking place of the Challenge Bibendum, which was this time held in Paris. A huge event dedicated to promoting environmentally-friendly, renewable sources of energy for all road transportation needs, more than 100 vehicles took part during the event which also saw a series of conferences and forums taking place across the French capital city.

Micro-Vett are an Italian leader in developing sustainable transport solutions with a number of different vehicles already in production. General-Manager Marco Ravagli attended, along with the firm's electric-powered Iveco Daily, known as the Bi-Mode. “We live because Italy gives money to the regions that wish to have zero-emission vehicles," he said, adding: "We are a little firm, but the first in Italy.”

The Micro-Vett Iveco Daily B-Mode, which will cost about 43,000 euros, is powered by a lithium-ion battery pack and is already being trialled by a fire service near Bologna. Once initial tests are completed range will be increased to around 100km. Ravagli, who says that production of the lithium-ion battery is set to be feasible in around 5 years, favours bi-mode solutions rather than the more complicated hybrid methods which also reduce battery life due to their constant recharging, up to 30 percent more than in a bi-mode application. The packaging allows the Iveco Daily to retain its full load space while weight distribution has also been optimised. The real future for electric power - says Ravagli - will be in fuel cells.

8th Challenge Bibendum

Micro-Vett is the electric vehicle segment leader in Italy and an important in wider Europe. The company has been associated to ANFIA (National Association of Vehicles Constructors) since 1992.

Micro-Vett has operated since 1987 in the field of electric traction, starting its business with the design of micro-citycars and then, since 1991, with the electrification of light, medium and heavy commercial vehicles for transport. Either in partnership with famous brands and research companies (Piaggio, Iveco, Fiat Research) or directly, Micro-Vett offers products able to join mechanical reliability, affordability, security and comfort. In the last few years Micro-Vett has developed stronger relationship with Piaggio S.p.a. for the electrification of the Porter (now available in 20 versions at least), whose production began in 1994 (present-day production: 700 vehicles/year) and Ape (since 1998). The Porter is the best-selling electrical vehicle in Italy (since 2000) and the second in Europe; it is also the only electrical vehicle sold in series. Important customers like Fiat, ENEL, Italian Mail, Torino Municipality, Disneyland (Paris), Waste Management, DHL, Stockholm Municipality all use the electric-propelled Porter, with its low operating costs and with excellent satisfaction.

The application of the electric traction has been then extended to prototype vehicles, pre-series vehicles and boats for inner or coastal waters. Micro-Vett has recently developed its research activities for medium and heavy goods transport vehicles, either in partnership - Iveco for the electrification of the Eurocargo (15 tons) and Daily (6,5 tons) - and in collaboration with CRF (Fiat Research: Ducato and Scudo). Furthermore, together with National Administration for Scientific and Technological Research, Micro-Vett won two national competitions – with enclosed projects – for the developing of innovative electric vehicles: one dedicated to tourist venues (that brought to the market the Electric Gig, derived by Porter, in 1997) and another dedicated to the achievement of electric vehicle for disabled persons transport (1999).