On August 31st, Mercedes-Benz announced the US pricing and began accepting orders for the soon-to-be-released eSprinter electric cargo van.
Mercedes-Benz will launch an eSprinter cargo van version in the United States with a 170-inch long wheelbase, high roof configuration, and a 113 kWh battery, offering a WLTP range of up to 400 kilometers. It has a starting price of $71,886 and is currently the most high-end product in the emerging electric truck market, with competitors like Ford’s E-Transit and Volkswagen’s ID Buzz.
The vehicle is currently in production at Mercedes-Benz factories in Charleston, South Carolina, Ludwigshafen, and Dusseldorf, Germany. The company has stated that it will only sell electric vehicles after 2030.
Like the Ford E-Transit and BrightDrop Zevo, the eSprinter is also designed for delivery or other commercial use, but unlike these vehicles, it can also be used for non-commercial purposes.
For the eSprinter, range is a major advantage. In addition to top-notch range data, Mercedes-Benz also showcases the vehicle’s efficiency through its driving and energy recovery modes – three of the former and five of the latter. Mercedes-Benz said:
One particular advantage of the vehicle is the automatic function (D Auto), in which the vehicle automatically determines the energy recovery rate based on traffic conditions. Radar sensors adjust the recovery strength automatically to ensure optimal recovery. The ECO Assist on the dashboard shows the driver when to lift the pedal, and then the vehicle can automatically select the appropriate recovery strength. Three driving programs (eco, comfort, and max range) can further help drivers drive more efficiently or comfortably.
In fact, Mercedes-Benz places great emphasis on the efficiency of electric vehicles. The company’s Vision EQXX claims to be the most efficient electric vehicle ever, with a range of 1000 kilometers on a single charge. In the recent record-breaking drive, the vehicle’s average energy consumption was 8.7 kWh per 100 kilometers (7.1 kWh per 62 miles).
