Mercedes-Benz’s Germany launch of electric van comes hot on heels of eVito
Mercedes-Benz Vans (MBV) has given a fanfare launch of its electric eSprinter van in a follow-up to that of the eVito.
A six German city unveiling of the vehicle this month underlines its similarities with the diesel Sprinter, with a gross vehicle mass of 3.5 tonnes, a cargo capacity of 10.5 cubic metres and front-wheel drive.
Less similar is the range of 168km from a battery capacity of 47kWh, with a maximum load of 891kg.
“A second battery option takes into account other priorities in the use parameters: the configuration with a utilisable capacity of 35 kWh (installed: 41 kWh) allows a range of 115km. In turn, the maximum load rises to 1,045 kg,” Benz says.
It adds that an integrated quick-charge function also ensures flexibility, thanks to which around 80 per cent of the energy can be recharged within 30 minutes.
Read our review of the diesel Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, here
The maximum speed can be configured to suit the task in hand: Maximum speed can be set at 80 km/h, 100 km/h or even as much as 120 km/h.
Helping to make up minds for prospective buyers is the new eCharging Planner, part of MBV’s eDrive@VANs technology ‘ecosystem’.
The planner is a three-step process:
- conditions relevant to energy management are collected, including the necessary size of vehicles and vehicle fleet, typical operating times, potential energy consumption as well as the circumstances at the place of business. “The eCharging Planner also takes into account electric vehicles made by other manufacturers, as only the total number of battery vehicles in the vehicle fleet allows an informative analysis of the necessary charging infrastructure.”
- depending on the actual application situation, the planner analyses the suitability and the use of peripheral services and products by Mercedes-Benz: the wallbox, Mercedes PRO services as well as intelligent charging management. “Step three takes account of local circumstances: this includes necessary construction measures at the depot as well as the electrical parameters of grid installed power, potential load peaks or the installation of power distributors.”
- the planner compares investment and operating costs of the conversion to the possible savings in order to determine the amortisation period.
Adjustments can be made to suit owner needs that regulate the degree of recuperation of energy generated during braking and can be optimally configured with paddle shifters on the steering wheel.
“Depending on the selection, the eSprinter drives either particularly efficiently or focuses on higher comfort, in which the climate control is adjusted in favour of a higher range, for example,” MBV says.
With a route-based operating-mode strategy, the economy of the vans can be further optimised with electric drive in daily operation.
SPECS
Make/model: Mercedes-Benz eSprinter
Max electric motor output: 85kW
Torque: 295Nm
Power consumption: 37.1-32.5 kWh/100 km
Charging capacity (kW): 7.4 (AC) / 20 as standard, optionally 80 (DC)
GVM: 3.5 tonnes
Cargo capacity: 10.5 cu m