Mercedes-Benz eSprinter Debuts As Electric Cargo Hauler

The long-anticipated Mercedes-Benz eSprinter is finally here to broaden the brand's European electric commercial vehicle offerings. It offers a larger alternative to the existing eVito van.

Mercedes offers the eSprinter with two battery options: 55 kilowatt-hours or 41 kWh. The larger option provides a range of 104.4 miles (168 kilometers) and a maximum payload capacity of 1,964 pounds (891 kilograms). The smaller choice reduces the driving distance to 71.5 miles (115 kilometers) but with the ability to carry up to 2,304 pounds (1,045 kilograms) of payload. The electric powertrain offers the same interior cargo capacity as for combustion-powered models so that users have 370.8 cubic feet (10.5 cubic meters) of space to load.

Regardless of the battery, the eSprinter has an electric motor making 114 horsepower (85 kilowatts) and 218 pound-feet (295 Newton-meters) of torque, and the van is front-wheel drive. Since Mercedes aims this model at commercial fleet operators, the company lets buyers select whether the top speed is 50 miles per hour (80 kilometers per hour), 62 mph (100 kph), or 75 mph (120 kph).

To maximize the range as much as possible, drivers can select from four levels of regenerative braking, ranging from almost no recuperation to more aggressive settings. Multiple driving modes also help efficiency, including adjusting the climate control to use less energy.

To help commercial clients decide whether the eSprinter is the right choice for their business, Mercedes is offering potential buyers tools that look at regular journeys and see if the EV could create cost savings. It also has a service for figuring out the charging needs for a company's facility, depending on how many electric vehicles the business intends to buy.