Volkswagen: ABT e-Transporter significantly cheaper in leasing

Volkswagen is accelerating its electrification efforts with current corporate funds and support from conversion partner ABT, and has significantly reduced the leasing rates for the ABT e-Transporter 6.1. This move aims to counter the intensified competition from PSA's E-Vans, which have recently entered the market with the compact electric van in the 3.0-ton class at a competitive price. The e-Transporter 6.1 panel van is now available for individual customers at just 299 euros, while large customers pay 270 euros. Previously, the electric panel van started at a substantial 459 euros/month. The VW T6.1, converted to electric drive by the Allgäu-based electrification specialist ABT e-Line GmbH, is already being used for delivering food and bakery products, as well as a school bus, among other applications. The ABT division acts as a so-called premium partner of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. Test drives can be arranged at all participating brand partners, who are also ABT-e-partners. In addition to the vehicles, they also offer charging cards, services such as We Charge, and the currently subsidized wallbox like the ID. Charger.

All Five: Fleet Telematics Becomes More Functional

The brand has also revamped its digital fleet management system 'We Connect Fleet,' which can be used free of charge for one year. It now includes five services in both web and app applications:

• Maintenance Management: Signs of wear on brake pads, necessary oil changes, or sudden damage – all vehicle reports are recorded in the We Connect Fleet web portal and automatically forwarded to the selected service partner.
• GPS Tracking and Route History: The "GPS Tracking and Route History" service enables agile job planning. The web portal shows where vehicles and employees are currently located to coordinate routes flexibly. The GPS tracking service can be activated and deactivated anytime via privacy mode.
• Digital Logbook: The fleet manager quickly gets an overview of the trips and can export them for tax documentation. Drivers can more easily submit receipts or maintain a digital logbook using the Connect Fleet app.
• Digital Cost Log: Receipts can be photographed and digitally recorded as cost entries. The fleet manager is promptly informed about the incurred costs in the web portal.
• Driving Efficiency: We Connect Fleet evaluates vehicles concerning acceleration, braking behavior, speed, kickdown, gear selection, and cold starts. This allows for comparing vehicle efficiency, identifying optimization potentials, and avoiding unnecessary costs.

The system is also compatible with many models from other manufacturers, whether as a direct order with new vehicle purchases or as a retrofit for existing vehicles.

"With the new We Connect Fleet, we make it as simple as possible – for fleet managers and drivers," says Kersten Lange, Head of Mobile Online Services at VWN.