Iveco Shows Futuristic Hybrid Commercial Van Concept

The centerpiece of the Vision is what Iveco calls its Dual Energy technology, which is just a fancy name for a hybrid. While mixing electric motors and internal combustion engines isn't very novel anymore for passenger cars, it's still somewhat new in commercial vehicles. The system would allow the concept to run purely on electric power some of the time, like while making deliveries in urban areas. However, it could switch to hybrid mode for longer journeys, which still reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 25 percent, the company claims.

To suit the next-gen technology driving the concept, the Vision has a futuristic body to match. The front end is supposed to maximize driver visibility with squinting LED headlights, a wraparound greenhouse and holes in the A-pillars. Painted in cerulean blue with lighted trim along the side, it all looks very sci-fi.

Iveco claims Vision could offer the possibility of no more damaged packages, as well. Sensors in the load area would sense if items were shifting position, and the vehicle would activate "containment devices" to keep them from falling. That would mean no more crushed boxes from Amazon.