The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has been a long-time favourite for business prospects world wide, and the U.S. has been the quantity two market behind Germany, with native gross sales averaging about 30,000 items yearly.
Nevertheless, regardless of first rate demand for the full-size gentle van right here, the U.S. misses out on the electrical eSprinter model that is been out there abroad since 2019. That modifications with the arrival of the 2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter.
Unveiled on Tuesday, the most recent eSprinter is confirmed to start out gross sales within the U.S. within the second half of 2023. Manufacturing for the U.S. will probably be dealt with at Mercedes’ plant in Charleston, South Carolina, the place the present internal-combustion powered Sprinter is constructed. Native manufacturing permits Mercedes to keep away from the 25% Rooster Tax on imported gentle vehicles and different commercials.
In contrast to many electrical vans that use modified variations of platforms initially developed for internal-combustion engines, the eSprinter advantages from a devoted EV platform referred to as the EVP (Electrical Versatility Platform). It consists of a entrance module that homes high-voltage energy management {hardware} and is frequent to all variations of the platform, in addition to a middle module designed to suit certainly one of three battery configurations, and a rear module for a single electrical motor. The EVP has been designed to supply two wheelbase lengths, in addition to a chassis cab configuration.
Subsequent-generation Mercedes-Benz eSprinter
The eSprinter will initially be supplied within the U.S. as a long-wheelbase cargo van with a excessive roof. Such a configuration allows a load capability of 488 cubic toes and a permissible gross automobile weight of 9,370 kilos.
The only battery for the U.S. will probably be a 113-kwh unit, which is the most important unit designed for the EVP platform. Mercedes estimates a spread of near 250 miles on the WLTP cycle used abroad. Anticipate a decrease score primarily based on the stricter cycle utilized by the EPA. A ten-80% cost will take roughly 42 minutes utilizing a DC quick charger.
Subsequent-generation Mercedes-Benz eSprinter
Consumers will have the ability to select between two energy outputs for the electrical motor: 134 or 201 hp. In each instances the highest velocity is 75 mph.
By 2025, Mercedes plans for its gentle vans to be supplied solely with electrical energy. Future electrical vans will probably be primarily based on a brand new Van.EA platform much more versatile than the EVP. It is all a part of Mercedes’ plan to solely promote EVs in most markets by 2030.
