Mercedes-Benz has released more details on upcoming electric versions of its work vans.
The new eVito will be available to European consumers in late September of this year, while the new eSprinter is also on its way and will go on sale in 2019. On our side of the pond, Mercedes hasn’t “made any announcements yet for the U.S. market,” according to a Mercedes US spokesperson. So whether or not the eVito or eSprinter will come here remains a mystery.
The eVito, which is the global version of the Metris, comes with a 41 kWh battery that can deliver up to 150 kilometers (93 miles) is ideal driving conditions, while Mercedes says “unfavourable” conditions will put the range closer to 100 km (62 miles). A full recharge will take about six hours according to the brand, while max power output from the engine is rated at 112 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. Top speed is capped at 80 km/h (49 mph) as Mercedes says this van is supposed to be used in urban environments, though you can increase that speed up to 120 km/h (74 mph).
Two wheelbases are available with the small van: 202 inches or 211 inches. Payload for each van comes in at 2,365 pounds or 2,310 pounds respectively.
As for the larger eSprinter, it will be equipped with either a 41 kWh battery good for around 71.5 miles of range or a larger 55 kWh battery good for 93 miles of range. A full charge will take six hours with the smaller pack and eight hours with the larger option, though a DC fast charger will speed that up considerable. Payload capacity for the big vans is 2,293 pounds for the smaller battery pack and 1,984 pounds for the larger.
Besides these two electric vans, which are coming to the market, Mercedes has rolled our the Concept Sprinter F-Cell, using a hydrogen fuel cell plug-in hybrid powertrain to create power. This concept has 197 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, while total range with a full charge and full hydrogen tanks is 186 miles. You can also ass an extra tank to this setup, bringing range way up to 329 miles if needed.
Mercedes is also trying to make buying and configuring a work van easier with its eVan Ready mobile app and a service called Customer Co-Creation. As the name suggests, the app will do a comprehensive appraisal on your usage case and recommend the perfect vehicle to fit your needs.
Companies are already getting onboard with the idea of electric delivery vans, as Hermes Germany and Amazon Logistics in Bochum and Düsseldorf have agreed to put 100 vans each into their delivery fleet.
