Mercedes-Benz Vans plans to offer all its commercial van model lines with electric drive. This will start with the mid-size eVito in the second half of 2018. Further model ranges will follow, starting in 2019.

The company presented its electric drive strategy at the eDrive@VANs workshop in Berlin. The focus was not just on the electric van itself, but also on a technological ecosystem tailored specifically to customers’ business needs. A holistic strategy based on five cornerstones delivers an innovative total-system solution covering the entire value chain of commercial usage. In order to meet this goal, customer co-creation plays a central role in product development, integrating the strategic partner and their sector expertise into the development process. The new eVito is the first production vehicle to have been developed using this strategic approach.

“We are convinced by the necessity of electric drive in our vans, especially in city centre applications. That said, electrification of the commercial fleet is not an end in itself, but follows the same principles as a classic drive when it comes to commercial feasibility. With our eDrive@VANs initiative, we’re showing that only holistic mobility solutions extending beyond the drive itself present a real alternative for commercial customers. The eVito is the starting point and will be followed by our new-generation Sprinter as well as the Citan”, says Volker Mornhinweg, Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans.

Mercedes-Benz Vans plans to electrify all its commercial model ranges over the next few years, starting with the eVito; the second all-electric production model from Mercedes-Benz Vans after the 2010 Vito E-Cell. The eVito will be followed in 2019 by the eSprinter. The line-up will then be rounded off by the Citan. The commercial model ranges with electric drive will thus cover all requirements from people moving to goods transport.

With an installed battery capacity of 41.4 kWh, the range of the new eVito will be around 150 kilometres. Even in unfavourable conditions such as low outside temperatures and with a full load, it will have a range of 100 kilometres. The mid-size van is thus perfectly configured for city-centre use by delivery companies, tradespeople and public transport providers. The battery can be fully charged in around six hours. When it comes to top speed, the customer can choose between two options: A maximum speed of 80 km/h (abut 50 mph) fulfils all requirements in city traffic and urban areas, while conserving energy and increasing range. If more speed is needed, the customer can choose a top speed of up to 120 km/h (about 75 mph).

The electric model can accommodate a maximum payload of 1,073 kilograms and a maximum load volume of 6.6 m³. Installation of the battery beneath the vehicle contributes to the unrestricted usability of the entire load space. The maximum gross vehicle weight stands at 3,200 kilograms.