The brand new eSprinter from Mercedes-Benz is an enormous factor. A really, very massive factor. Twenty-two and a half toes lengthy, to be actual, however I did not actually recognize how massive it was till I threw open the double rear doorways, stepped inside, and stood up straight with out difficulty. Instantly, my thoughts was crammed with dangerous concepts about changing one into the final word emissions-free RV, which may do double-duty as a pinball machine supply car.
Massive vans like this are all about risk, and whereas the intent right here is clearly to offer an emissions-free possibility for companies of all sizes, I used to be left with one thought: I believe I might nearly quite have this than a Ford F-150 Lightning.
However how effectively does that maintain up on nearer examination? Let’s discover out.
| 2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter: Fast Stats | |
| Energy | 134 or 201 Horsepower / 295 LB-FT of Torque |
| Battery | 113 Kilowatt-Hours LFP |
| Vary | 273 Miles (WLTP) / 200 Miles (Unofficial est. EPA) |
| Cargo Quantity | 488 Cubic Ft |
| Base Value | $71,886 + $2,295 Vacation spot |
An Electrical Van That Can
Let’s dig into the numbers first, as a result of functionality is an important factor for a business-oriented machine like this. That begins with cargo capability. The eSprinter carries a whopping 488 cubic toes of cargo area. That is a variety of room, whether or not you are hauling dirtbikes or luggage of literal filth.
No matter your cargo, you possibly can carry as much as 2,624 kilos value, secured through the plethora of tie-downs scattered on the ground. That bay can be generously illuminated, with composite panels on the partitions, ground, and ceiling to guard the van and your stuff.
The 113 kWh LFP battery pack is located down within the van’s ground, forward of a de Dion-style non-independent rear axle that homes one among two electrical motors providing both 134 or 201 horsepower and a most of 295 pound-feet of torque. Sure, that is proper, it is rear-wheel-drive, however even with the higher-power motor, you should not anticipate a lot in the best way of acceleration.
Although the efficiency is delicate, the beginning value appears affordable: $71,886 for a base eSprinter or $75,316 for the higher-power mannequin. Each are constructed within the U.S. on the Mercedes-Benz plant in Charleston, South Carolina, and each undercut Rivian’s electrical cargo van by about $10,000.
The eSprinter seats two in a pair of comfy captain’s chairs that you need to climb method up excessive to get into. These seats are heated, and if the clean subsequent to that button is any indication, cooled seats may develop into accessible. The sporty Mercedes-Benz steering wheel is likewise heated and loaded with the complete complement of contact controls on the model’s newest luxurious sedans.
An Inside That is Intelligent And Powerful
Like in these automobiles, it is with these controls that you would be able to command the optionally available MBUX infotainment system, operating on a ten.25-inch contact show and full with “Hey Mercedes” voice controls. The navigation reveals chargers alongside your route and shortly and simply tells you the present you possibly can anticipate from them. However, with a most charging charge of 115kW, you will not must be too choosy about the place you juice up.
The one disappointment is that these navigation instructions aren’t communicated by way of the small digital show centered within the gauge cluster, but it surely’s a much more complete consumer expertise than you’d usually anticipate in a industrial van, full with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
There is not any heads-up show right here. That area on the sprint is taken up by a collection of curious storage areas, one for the driving force and a second for the passenger, full with cupholders. On one hand, it is a handy place to place your morning espresso. On the opposite, I might hate to suppose what would occur ought to that espresso overflow and run into the vents up there.
Different cubbies abound, together with one with a lid and quite a few USB ports within the middle of the sprint, beneficiant pockets constructed into the ceiling above the solar visors, and even a hidden one beneath the passenger’s seat.
These seats are comfy, however there’s solely somewhat room to maneuver them. The bulkhead that separates the passenger cabin from the cargo division necessitates an upright seating posture, however from up there, you are given a commanding view of the world round you.
Nicely, the world forward of you, anyway.
A small glass window helps you to see again into the cargo space, however rearward visibility is predictably nil. A digital rearview mirror helps that considerably, however the digicam that drives it’s perched so excessive on the rear of the van that even crossover SUVs ready behind me at visitors lights disappeared out of my area of view.
That is only one a part of getting used to driving the eSprinter, which, with its beneficiant proportions, requires somewhat further care when merging, turning, or transferring on the whole.
Round City
It additionally requires some further time when accelerating. Regardless of driving the extra highly effective mannequin I knew the eSprinter would not be fast, however after I began off in Most Vary mode, I virtually needed to put the pedal to the ground to tug out of a parking area. I am all for hypermiling, however I did not make it 5 minutes on this mode.
The following step up, Eco mode, is somewhat higher. The van is completely driveable right here, however on the freeway, I struggled to speed up in time to shortly and authoritatively cross different automobiles. When navigating LA visitors in one thing 5 toes longer than an Escalade ESV, I felt like I wanted somewhat extra oomph.
So, I spent most of my time in Consolation mode, essentially the most responsive providing, which nonetheless delivers a relaxed throttle utility however in any other case completely affordable efficiency. On the finish of my time behind the wheel, with loads of time spent on the freeway, I nonetheless averaged 2.2 miles per kWh, which might imply a theoretical 250 miles of vary with out making an attempt to be frugal.
Concerning precise vary estimates, Mercedes-Benz indicated 273 miles is feasible on the European WLTP cycle, which might probably imply someplace within the ballpark of that 250 miles on EPA.
Along with the three driving modes, the eSprinter has 5 regen modes, cycled through the generously sized paddles on the again of the steering wheel. On most mode, the large van delivers a satisfying quantity of decel once you raise off the accelerator, however because it does not come to an entire cease, you possibly can’t fairly name it one-pedal.
For individuals who want to coast, disable the regen and the eSprinter is completely satisfied to waft its method down the freeway.
Wafting is probably a bit beneficiant, however for an enormous van with a cargo ranking of two,624 kilos, the eSprinter is remarkably compliant and comfy. The van I drove was loaded with nearly 500 kilos of cargo, so I did not get the unladen expertise, which might be considerably extra harsh. Regardless, I used to be impressed at how effectively the van dealt with pavement imperfections.
It even gives straightforward, affordable dealing with. Regardless of the low battery pack, there is a beneficiant physique roll, however given the nine-foot peak, that is to be anticipated. Steering is gradual, you may be shuffling your method by way of even informal bends, however once more it was all fairly straightforward. Nice, even.
Early Verdict
Once more, on the finish of the day, I’m considering I might quite have this than Ford’s electrical F-150. However whereas this factor is sweet to drive and in some ways extra sensible with regards to hauling cargo than a Lightning, it falls quick elsewhere.
Towing and payload for one, with the eSprinter good for towing 4,277 lbs vs. the Lightning’s most 10,000 lbs. However the greater lacking areas are with regards to job-site flexibility. The Lightning is chock stuffed with shops and inverters that may cost all the pieces from a frunk stuffed with cordless drills to different full-size EVs.
The eSprinter, replete with intelligent cubbies although it’s, is not almost as effectively fitted to powering a job web site—or, certainly, for hauling a crew to get there within the first place.
However as a high-tech supply machine or maybe a taco truck that emits no emissions past the enchanting odor of barbacoa, the electrical eSprinter is a stellar possibility—and one that’s accessible for order now and transport someday later this 12 months.
26 Images
Tim Stevens is a veteran editor, analyst, and knowledgeable within the tech and automotive industries. He helmed CNET’s automotive protection for 9 years and acted as Vice President of Content material. Previous to that, Tim served as Editor-in-Chief at Engadget and even led a earlier life as an Enterprise Software program Architect. Observe Tim on Twitter at @tim_stevens and catch his Substack.