Footasylum takes another stride towards a cleaner, ‘greener’ tomorrow with Mercedes-Benz eVito
Footasylum is renowned for having its finger on the pulse when it comes to street fashion and sportswear – no surprise, then, that a brand so adept at recognising and responding to the latest trends is now running an emissions-busting Mercedes-Benz eVito van.
Supplied by Ciceley Commercials, the high-profile retailer’s first fully electric commercial vehicle represents an important step forward on its ‘road map’ to a carbon neutral future.
Footasylum’s Operations Director Richard Hodson explained: “As part of our sustainability plan we had been looking for a suitable electric vehicle to undertake local deliveries. Having assessed the available options, we decided the Mercedes-Benz eVito was the natural choice. Our plan now is to move to larger vehicles with longer ranges and higher capacities once they become available.”
Established in 2005, Footasylum trades from a UK network of more than 65 stores. Customers can choose from the latest trainers by the likes of sportswear giants adidas, Nike, Puma and Reebok, and clothing by hot new streetwear names like Kings Will Dream and Jameson Carter, or premium labels such as Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein.
Keith Whalen“The eVito is ideally suited to the role and does everything we need it to do. As well as being the right size for the job, it’s nice and easy when you’re at the wheel – nippy in traffic, quiet, and very comfortable – so naturally our driver David Howard loves it."
The eVito, which hit Mercedes-Benz Retailer showrooms earlier this year, produces zero tailpipe emissions and allows customers like Footasylum to meet their environmental targets without having to compromise on practicality or performance.
The vehicle has a gross weight of 3.2 tonnes, a range of approximately 93 miles, and comes with three seats, as well as sliding load doors on both sides. Footasylum’s eVito is a long L2 PURE variant which offers a payload allowance of 923 kg and up to 6.0m3 of cargo area – the 41 kWh battery is securely mounted in a protective housing beneath the floor, so does not impinge on the available space.
The eVito PURE also comes in extra-long L3 form, with a 6.6m3 load volume and 898 kg carrying capacity. Meanwhile, eVito versions with the PROGRESSIVE trimline benefit from extra features, both internally and externally, but incur corresponding slight payload reductions.
The new van is based at Footasylum’s main distribution centre on Heywood Distribution Park, Greater Manchester, where an overnight charging station has been installed – the battery can be fully replenished in six hours using a Type-2 connection.
The vehicle spends its days ferrying internal post, stock and other consignments to and from the company’s head office at Sandbrook Park, Rochdale, and a storage facility on the Stakehill Industrial Estate in Middleton, Manchester. It is also called upon regularly to transport product samples to a photographic studio in the city centre.
“The eVito is working within a relatively small radius so range is never an issue,” said Footasylum’s Retail Distribution Centre Manager Keith Whalen. “It’s also a very busy area, though.
“The biggest plus of all, though,” he continued, “is that it’s so much cleaner than a diesel-engined van. This smart new Mercedes-Benz underlines the company’s commitment to minimise the impact of our operations on the environment.”
Footasylum’s eVito is the subject of a two-year Mercedes-Benz Finance contract hire agreement arranged by Ciceley Commercials – the attractive monthly payment rate reflects the fact that the Dealer secured the maximum available grant from the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) prior to registration, thereby reducing the capital cost of the van.
“Ciceley Commercials’ service was spot on,” added Mr Whalen. “It could not have made the acquisition process any easier for us.”
eVito customers also benefit from the low cost of electricity compared to diesel and petrol, as well as favourable tax rates and E-mobility support programmes. The relative simplicity of its electric motor means the eVito’s maintenance and repair costs are substantially lower too, than those of a vehicle with combustion engine.
The eVito’s electric motor produces 114 hp and drives the front wheels via a single-speed automatic transmission. Acceleration is instantaneous. Top speed is restricted as standard to 50 mph (80 km/h), although this can be increased on request. The column-mounted selector allows drivers to choose between C, E and E+ (Comfort, Eco and Extended range) settings.
The eVito’s range – 90-plus miles is comfortably enough for the overwhelming majority of city-based applications – is supplemented by recuperative charging, but will be reduced by constant driving with a full load.
The eVito comes with Mercedes PRO connect as standard. This advanced manufacturer solution provides operators with an array of fast, efficient and cost-effective vehicle management service packages. Vehicle data is analysed in real time – everything from fuel consumption to vehicle locations, trip history, maintenance status and driver behaviour can be monitored. Dedicated electric features allow customers, for example, to locate a charge station, optimise route planning, remotely check the charge status of the vehicle, and pre-condition its temperature ahead of the journey.
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Great feedback for our Blackburn Service Team!⭐️
A huge thank you to the customer for their fantastic feedback, you can read more of our testimonials here: https://www.ciceley.com/testimonials/
The Mercedes-Benz diesel van range is built to keep your business moving. From the compact Citan to the versatile Vito and award-winning Sprinter, we’ve got the perfect van for every job.
🔥 Exclusive offers available now:
✅ Citan from £185* per month
✅ Vito from £395* + VAT per month
✅ Sprinter from £609* + VAT per month
✅ Up to 30 years’ Roadside Assistance with MobiloVan
Don’t miss out — these deals are only available while stocks last!
https://www.ciceley.com/ciceley-vans/offers/diesel-offers/
*Terms and conditions apply, please see our website for more information.
Exciting News!
We’re thrilled to announce that we’re expanding into Scotland with a brand-new Mercedes-Benz Truck and Bus dealership at Eurocentral! 🙌
As a proud family-run business, we’ve spent over 50 years supporting operators with exceptional service, strong relationships, and continued investment in the future. This new site marks an exciting new chapter for us — bringing our people-first approach and trusted Mercedes-Benz expertise to a whole new region.
The Eurocentral dealership will feature:
🔧 12 workshop bays
🚛 Full sales, service & parts facilities for Mercedes-Benz trucks
🚌 Service and parts facilities for Mercedes-Benz buses
🧰 An Authorised Testing Facility (ATF) lane
👷 Around 40 new local jobs
Construction starts soon, with a temporary workshop opening mid-2026 and the full dealership launching autumn 2026.
Read the full story on our website.
🚛 Ciceley Commercials Joins the Actros L ProCabin Tour! 🚛
Yesterday we joined Mercedes-Benz Trucks at Route 74 Truckstop, Glasgow, for the Actros L ProCabin Tour — giving drivers the chance to step inside the next generation of comfort and innovation.
The Actros L ProCabin is more than just a truck – it’s a workspace, a rest space, and a tech hub on wheels.
✨ Here’s what makes it stand out:
🖥️ Digital Cockpit & MirrorCam for ultimate visibility
🪑 Ergonomic Design built for all-day comfort
🔋 Outstanding Efficiency that delivers every mile
We loved seeing everyone who stopped by to take a look inside, chat with the team, and experience the future of trucking first-hand.
Go further, cleaner, and quieter with the Mercedes-Benz electric van range. Whether it’s the eCitan, eVito, or eSprinter, enjoy zero-emission driving, impressive range, and fast charging times — all with premium Mercedes-Benz quality.
✅ The eCitan from £249* + VAT per month
✅ The eVito from £495* + VAT per month
✅ The eSprinter from £595* + VAT per month
Including:
4 FREE services
Up to 30 years’ Roadside Assistance with MobiloVan
8-year / 100,000-mile battery warranty
Switch to electric today and keep your business moving sustainably! See our website for more details.
*Terms and conditions apply, please see our website for more information.
🐝 From Hive to Jar! 🍯
Today we visited @eastlancshospice with our Beekeeper John to watch how he turns our MerceBEES hard work into delicious honey! 🌼
It was fantastic to share the experience with the hospice’s staff and patients, showing how the honeycomb is spun, sieved, and jarred to create the finished product.
This year, we’re proud to be selling our Ciceley honey with all profits donated to our charity partner, East Lancashire Hospice – supporting the incredible work they do every day. 💛
Our MerceBEES have been busy since we first introduced four hives and 320,000 bees to our Blackburn and Darwen sites as part of our ongoing sustainability journey. 🐝
🏁 On 5th September, our all-electric Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 completed the 2025 EV Rally, driving from West Bromwich to Tatton Park, Cheshire ⚡🚛.
Along the way we:
☕ Recharged at Peak View Tea Rooms
🚚 Stopped at Sixt Van & Truck, Eccles
☀️ Showcased clean energy at Chamber House Solar Farm, Rochdale
🌳 And crossed the finish line at Tatton Park
Covering 248km fully loaded at 40t, the eActros 600 proved its range, efficiency, and cost savings – highlighting that zero-emission trucking isn’t the future, it’s here today. Get in touch with the team to put the eActros to the test
#evrally #explorer #collaboration #solarpower
✨ Another fantastic review for our Blackburn team! ✨
We’re proud to provide a service that makes things simple, stress-free and reliable for our customers.
Read more of our customer reviews here: https://www.ciceley.com/testimonials/
🍂 Autumn is here, and so are the chilly mornings!
Did you know that with the Mercedes-Benz app, you can pre-heat your electric Mercedes-Benz van before you even step outside?
✅ Warm and comfortable from the moment you get in
✅ Defrosted windows without scraping ice
All managed straight from your phone, giving you convenience and comfort whatever the weather.
❄️ A smart way to start your day as we head into winter.
⚽ Ciceley Takes on the Vantasy Football League! ⚽
Today, our Ciceley football team proudly represented us at the Mercedes-Benz Vantasy Football League at none other than St George’s Park – the home of England football!
Competing alongside eight teams made up of van drivers and Mercedes-Benz Van dealers from across the country, our squad battled hard and made it all the way to the semi-finals, finishing an impressive 3rd place overall! 🥉💪
The Vantasy Football initiative is about more than just football – it’s a fantastic campaign supporting mental health awareness for van drivers, many of whom work in isolating roles. We`re proud to support this important cause. 💙
A huge shout out to our amazing team:
Rob Claringbold, Gary Bridge, Jack Burgess, Matthew Coombe, Alex Lewis, Lee Holden, and Damian Holroyd – a brilliant mix from across our Sales, Service, IT, Accounts and Management teams.
Well played, team! 👏⚽
https://www.mercedes-benz.co.uk/vans/vantasy-football.html
#VantasyFootball #MercedesBenzVans #MentalHealthAwareness #TeamCiceley #StGeorgesPark #VanLife #FootballForGood
🌍 Tomorrow we’ll be at GreenFleet LIVE! 2025 in Rochdale!
Come and see us to explore the latest in electric vans and sustainable fleet solutions — and chat with our team about how we can support your journey to net zero. ⚡🚛
We’re looking forward to meeting fleet, transport and sustainability professionals from across the UK. See you there!
#GreenFleetLIVE #ElectricVehicles #CleanFleet #NetZero #LCV #Sustainability #CiceleyCommercials
☀️ Our eActros 400 has been out and about in sunny Scotland yesterday, with driver training sessions led by Jordan Lowe and Richard.
Great to see more drivers getting behind the wheel and experiencing the future of fully electric transport first-hand! ⚡🚛
#eActros #ElectricTrucks #DrivingTheFuture #CiceleyCommercials
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