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Mercedes Electric Vito Taxi wins Future Car Challenge

The Mercedes Electric Vito Taxi was named Most Economic & Environment Friendly Multi-Purpose Electric Vehicle at the Royal Automobile Club's Future Car Challenge.

Suzanne Ashe
Suzanne Ashe has been covering technology, gadgets, video games, and cars for several years. In addition to writing features and reviews for magazines and Web sites, she has contributed to daily newspapers.
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Suzanne Ashe

The eVito beat out 59 other vehicles to take top prize in the Royal Automobile Club's Future Car Challenge. Valence

Attendees of the 2012 London Olympic Games may be in for a 'green' ride.

A seven-seat electric taxi was awarded Most Economic & Environment Friendly Multi-Purpose Electric Vehicle at the Royal Automobile Club's (RAC) Future Car Challenge.

The Mercedes Electric Vito (eVito) Taxi, which was a collaboration between Mercedes Benz, Zytek Automotive, and Valence, is powered by Valence batteries.

The challenge was to produce a concept of a pollution-free fleet vehicle that could be used as taxis during the Olympic games.

The eVito beat out 59 other vehicles by finishing the 57-mile run with about 30 percent of its battery capacity remaining.

"We're very gratified that the eVito outperformed its competition in the challenge, which we hope will further raise awareness of the bright future Valence is enabling for electric fleets," said Robert L. Kanode, president and chief executive officer of Valence Technology.