VM Presentation CityFreighter: The true XXL StreetScooter

At the Autonomy Mobility Fair in Paris, we took a closer look at the modular concept of the city delivery van. Next to the CF1, the Streetscooter is on display in the exhibition hall – soon it becomes clear why the two vehicles are standing peacefully next to each other.

PEM and Achim Kampker – the next e-transporter after the StreetScooter

PEM Motion is an engineering service provider with consulting and development solutions in the fields of battery, fuel cell, and e-motor as well as for the industrialization of mobility products. The cooperation aims to enable CityFreighter to utilize the PEM Motion team of engineers, developers, and business experts in electrification and logistics to advance operations in the USA and Europe. The PEM Motion team also includes Professor Achim Kampker, who was significantly involved in the design of the eponymous delivery van as the CEO of StreetScooter.

"PEM Motion is known for its technical talent and business acumen in the manufacturing and innovation of electric vehicles. They are the right partner for us when we develop a new customer-oriented model to crack the last-mile delivery market," believes Michael Schoening, founder and president of CityFreighter.

Cityfreighter CF1 is to be configurable according to customer requirements

CityFreighter wants to provide fleet operators with everything needed for electrification and to reduce total operating costs. Unlike vehicle development strategies that focus on mass production of standard vehicles, CityFreighter will use strategic partners and contract manufacturers to be profitable at much lower sales volumes.

"We will use our knowledge of the German and North American markets to bring CityFreighter's ideas to life, just as we did with StreetScooter. We are experienced developers of electric vehicles and have worked with many customers to find more cost-effective, practical ways to build a business," says Kampker.

The CF1 does not have to shy away from comparison with its competitors

The CF1 has roughly the same exterior dimensions as a Mercedes E-Sprinter or a Rivian Amazon Van. However, with over 20 cubic meters of cargo volume, it has half more loading volume than an E-Sprinter. And even the Rivian Van, which is completely built on an E-platform and of which Amazon founder Bezos has already ordered 100,000 units, only achieves 2/3 of the loading volume. What the Amazon truck has ahead of the CF1, however, is the friendly front, which clearly serves the "baby schema" with its round front daytime running lights. In contrast, the CF1 stands out because transporters are usually purchased based on performance and price.

Live in Paris at the Trade Fair

At the Autonomy trade fair in Paris, we had an extensive conversation with the CMO – Chief Marketing Officer – of CityFreighter Inc. He is not an unknown figure in the automotive world. Michael Speh was employed with the Volkswagen Group for a long time, most recently as Bentley Head of Mobility Strategy, and he introduced us to the city delivery van.

“Of course, the interior is not quite what I was used to with Bentley. But everything is ergonomically perfect for delivery service, including a touch of Tesla," he explains, pointing to the touchscreen on the dashboard.

The CF1 does without external mirrors. Camera units are installed, which provide a comprehensive rear view on each of the large screens on the A-pillars and ensure that there are no blind spots. Ergonomically, the van is perfectly suited for the frequent loading and unloading of delivery services with its particularly flat skateboard design. The loading floor is very low at 44 centimeters, which is intended to make loading and unloading very comfortable. The rear axle is also equipped with an electric air suspension. As a result, no electric lift system is needed, loading and unloading times are reduced, and the driver is significantly relieved in their work. The CF1 features an 86 kWh lithium-ion battery pack with heat pump-based thermal management for over 200 kilometers of range. Additionally, the van is expected to come with advanced safety features at market launch, including a full suite of ADAS functions and stability control.