Mercedes-Benz will increase a luxury mid-size electric powered van to its U.S. lineup, the automaker mentioned on Tuesday.
Mercedes’ local lineup currently has two vans in the kind of the mid-sizing Metris and total-size Sprinter, while each are stripped-out industrial choices. The luxury van will be aimed at personal prospective buyers, this kind of as significant households, camping followers, and perhaps even RV buyers.
The van will be dependent on a new devoted EV system getting made to underpin all upcoming vans at Mercedes. Dubbed Van.EA, the platform is scheduled to spawn its initially design in 2026. Timing for any Van.EA goods in the U.S., like the luxury van, hasn’t been announced.
The Van.EA platform characteristics a 3-module style that makes it possible for it to be simply adapted to numerous vehicle dimensions. A front module houses large-voltage energy command hardware and an electric motor, and is frequent to all automobiles dependent on the platform. A centre module available in distinctive lengths and fitting different battery configurations determines the sizing of the vehicles centered on the system. A rear module includes the rear axle, possibly with a motor for all-wheel generate or without for entrance-wheel drive.
Up coming-generation Mercedes-Benz eSprinter
An early edition of this principle is found in the system of the 2024 eSprinter complete-sizing electric powered van that begins revenue in the U.S. in the second fifty percent of 2023.
For the luxurious van, customers can count on comparable attributes to what Mercedes features in its luxurious cars and trucks and SUVs. This will contain automated self-driving technology, up to Amount 3 on the SAE scale of self-driving functionality.
Mercedes has previously experienced some achievements in the U.S. with van income. The automaker reported it doubled its U.S. van marketplace share from 8% in 2018 to 16% in 2022. Mercedes also said it aims to have electric vans account for 20% of its full van sales by 2026 and 50% by 2030.
Prior to the luxury van comes, Mercedes will update its present-day mid-size van line, which contains the Metris and a luxurious choice recognised as the V-Course which is sold abroad and features an EQV electric variant. The update of the current mid-dimension van line is scheduled for this summertime. It truly is rumored the Metris will be dropped from Mercedes’ U.S. lineup pursuing the introduction of the update.