Volkswagen is not immediately thought of as a maker of commercial vehicles, but it has been making them nearly since its inception for over 60 years. Volkswagen Group Research and Deutsche Post is working together to develop an electric commercial vehicle for the future. This new vehicle has been dubbed the eT for electric Transport.

"We focused on zero-emissions driving and available space in urban areas, semi-automatic driving functions that offer relevant support and simplify work processes and the integration of new communication technologies. On top of that, we also set out to design a very emotionally appealing commercial vehicle. To attain these goals, our teams not only looked towards the future from the past, but also worked from a future perspective to implement an advanced development concept based on technologies available today," said Dr. Jürgen Leohold, Director of Volkswagen Group Research. 

Unfortunately, Volkswagen admits that the eT is not a vehicle that could be produced in the near future. The technology for an electric delivery vehicle that could meet the needs of Volkswagen and Deutsche Post is not yet viable. The eT would use electric motors located in each wheel hub to provide all-wheel drive. Volkswagen also plans to have the vehicle operate semi-automatically, which is not yet technologically feasible. In theory the eT could come automatically to a Deutsche Post employee's home loaded with mail and return to the post office at the end of the day.

Volkswagen promises that it will continue to study the future of an electric commercial vehicle.