- B-ON, a German EV manufacturer owned by DHL, is debuting a new electric light commercial delivery vehicle at the 2024 CES (formerly known as the Consumer Electronics Show) this week.
- The new delivery truck, called the Pelkan, will be available with 43.0- and 54.0-kWh battery variants when it goes on sale this year.
- B-ON is also debuting a new “smart dispenser” technology to assist delivery drivers in the field.
There’s something about the newness of electric vehicles that gets the creative juices flowing and with them, fresh ideas for new features. B-ON, a German electric vehicle manufacturer owned by DHL, is making the U.S. debut of a new electric delivery vehicle, along with some new tech at this week’s 2024 CES technology show in Las Vegas.
The new truck will be called the Pelkan, and it looks a little like a shrunken Tesla Semi with a box truck stuck to the cab. According to B-ON, the Pelkan is a “long-range vehicle designed for urban last-mile delivery.” While we don’t have the data to dispute that claim, the manufacturer also states that the Pelkan will come in both 43.0- and 54.0-kWh battery variants when it goes on sale later this year. For comparison, Rivian’s electric commercial delivery vans feature estimated ranges of just over 150 miles, and both feature battery capacities over 100.0 kWh.
In addition to the Pelkan, B-ON is showcasing a new “smart package dispenser” technology. The technology appears to allow the truck to preselect packages as drivers complete their daily routes, sparing drivers from rummaging through the back for the correct packages. According to B-ON the smart dispenser will be an optional add-on to the Pelkan or third-party delivery vehicles. There’s no word yet on pricing.
Jack Fitzgerald’s love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1.
After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn’t afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf.