Vans aren’t supposed to be attractive because their main role is to get the job done. Whether it is transporting people or cargo, it needs to be versatile and keep costs low for fleet operators. Mercedes is gradually transitioning its passenger cars to electric drives, and at the same time, workers are also getting the EV treatment. Curing distance anxiety won’t do overnight, but the eSprinter is getting there.
The nearly production electric van prototype completed a significant milestone ahead of its official reveal in late February 2023. It underwent a consumption measurement test on October 19 in the real world rather than in a lab where conditions are normally less stressful. vehicle. The route involves traveling from the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart to Munich Airport and back without stopping to recharge the battery.
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The test is carried out on an open road without passing through closed sections. It engages federal roads and highways and handles some intra-city traffic. Mercedes is keen to point out that it hasn’t chosen the most efficient route to increase the range of the eSprinter, deliberately deciding to bring electric vans to Jura Swabia. it is a mountainous area on the land of Baden-Württemberg.
TÜV Süd certifies the pure electric Sprinter with an average fuel consumption of 21.9 kWh per 62 miles (100 kilometers). The elevation of the road varies from 210 to 785 meters (689 to 2,575 feet) above sea level. The test vehicle covered 295 miles (475 kilometers) on a single charge, with enough remaining battery power for a range of 12 miles (20 km).
As a refresher, the eSprinter will be assembled in Charleston (South Carolina) as well as in Germany at factories in Düsseldorf and Ludwigsfelde from the second half of 2023. Two years later, the Mercedes-Benz Vans Electric Architecture will be unveiled as a special EV platform adapted for commercial vehicles. All medium and large vans arriving from 2025 will be supported by VAN.EA.
