In March 1972 Daimler-Benz presented the LE 306 test vehicle, the first electro van with battery exchange technology. It could climb gradients of up to around 16 %, had a range of 65 km on just one charging and was capable of a top speed of 70 km/h.

The LE 306 was powered by a direct-current shunt motor developing 31 kW (over longer durations) or 52 kW (over shorter durations). In terms of size and equipment, the LE 306 mirrored the L 306 D and was available as a panel van and crewbus with payload of 1.45 t.