Mercedes-Benz Vans New Zealand will be offering all of its commercial van model lines with electric drive starting from the second half of 2022.
It includes the mid-size eVito panel van, eVito Tourer, eSprinter and EQV as well as the brand’s first fully-electric premium multi-purpose vehicle (MPV).
The company says it will be offering the EV line-up alongside its conventional powertrain models and will jump to a fully electric offering when customers and the market determines it.
The initiative is part of a global push towards EVs by Mercedes-Benz Vans, and locally the focus on electric vehicles is increasing as new government measures are put in place to tackle transport emissions.
The electrification of vans is increasingly becoming an attractive proposition for light commercial fleet operators who are looking to show commitment to sustainable practices and reduced total cost of ownership.
Recently, Mercedes-Benz Vans secured $240,000 through the Government’s Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund programme to help accelerate the uptake of low emission transport.
The project will see Mercedes-Benz Vans partner with NZ Post to pilot a combination of eSprinter and eVito vans in their delivery fleet for an extended in-service evaluation by delivery drivers around New Zealand. The trial will commence early in 2022 prior to full market launch.
Mercedes-Benz Vans managing director Diane Tarr says the initiative is an “exciting step towards a more sustainable future”.
“We are confident that the electric drive will gain more prevalence in New Zealand over the coming years.
“As it does, we will be ready with a strong customer centric electric product portfolio, which offers the potential to lower operating costs and reduce environmental impacts,” Tarr says.
Full local specifications and pricing will be announced closer to the launch.
Mercedes-Benz Vans global EV platform
Globally, Mercedes-Benz Vans is investing 350 million euros (around NZ$600m) to develop an electric vehicle platform for multiple body configurations across its range.
The company says the Electric Versatility Platform will help make all of its model ranges available with a battery-electric drivetrain while improving costs.
It allows for new eSprinter body configurations previously only available with combustion engines, the company says.
Requirements for the eSprinter were developed in close collaboration with customers and includes three battery and multiple body configurations fit for nearly every business from panel van and people mover to chassis for box bodies.
The company says it is now accelerating its electrification strategy and fast-tracking development of its new Electric Versatility Platform for the large van segment.
Mercedes-Benz Vans is already an EV leader with more than 30% market share of the midsize and large van segments in Europe. Following the eVito and eSprinter, Mercedes-Benz Vans will ultimately cover the battery-electric range in all commercial transporter segments with the future eCitan.
*Key European technical data for the EQV, eVito Tourer and eSprinter can be found below. The eVito technical data relevant for New Zealand is not yet available.
Technical data of the European specification Mercedes-Benz EQV
| CO2 emissions | 0 g/km |
| Range (WLTP combined) | 355 – 356 km |
| Charging time at a Wallbox or at public charging stations (AC charging, 11 kW) | <10 h (0-100%)[2] |
| Charging time at a fast charging station (DC charging, 110 kW) | 10-80 % SOC in <45 min[2] |
| Drive system | Front-wheel drive |
| Output | 150 kW (204 hp) |
| Peak torque | 362 Nm |
| Top speed | 160 km/h |
| Battery | Lithium-ion |
| Battery energy content (installed) | 100 kWh |
| Battery energy capacity (usable) | 90 kWh |
| Length: | 5140 mm[3] |
| Wheelbase | 3200 mm[3] |
| Luggage compartment (depending on equipment fitted) | 1030 litres |
| GVW | 3500 kg |
Technical data of the European specification Mercedes-Benz eVito Tourer
| CO2 emissions | 0 g/km |
| Range (WLTP combined) | 360 – 361 km |
| Charging time at a wallbox or at a public charging station (AC charging, 11 kW) | <10 h (0-100 %)[2] |
| Charging time at a rapid charging station: DC charging, 110 kW | 10-80 % in < 45 min[2] |
| Drive system | Front-wheel drive |
| Output (peak) | 150 kW (204 hp) |
| Output (duration) | 70 kW (95 hp) |
| Max. torque | 362 Nm |
| Battery | Lithium-ion |
| Battery energy content (usable) | 90 kWh |
| Energy content of battery (installed) | 100 kWh |
| Length | 5140 mm[3] |
| Luggage compartment | 1030 litres |
| Maximum speed | 160 km/h |
| GVW | 3,500 kg |
Technical data of the European specification Mercedes-Benz eSprinter
| CO2 emissions | 0 g/km |
| Range (WLTP combined) | 102 – 158 km |
| Max. electric motor output | 85 kW |
| Max. rated torque of electric motor | 295 Nm |
| Top speed | 120 km/h |
| Maximum load capacity | 11m3 |
| Perm. GVW | 3500 kg |
| Utilisable battery capacity | 35/47 kWh |
| Installed battery capacity | 41/55 kWh |
| Max. AC charging output | 7.4 kW |
| Max. DC charging output | 80 kW |
| Charging time at max. charging output (AC) via wallbox or charging station (0-100 %) | 8 h at 47 kWh, 6 h at 35 kWh battery capacity[2] |
| Charging time at max. charging output (DC) via rapid charging station (10-80 %) | approx. 25 min. [2] |
