Mercedes Officially Announces New Electric Sprinter Van with a 300-Mile Range
After weeks of teasing the announcement, Mercedes-Benz has finally taken the wraps off its next-generation electric Sprinter van. The German automaker revealed the new model earlier in the week, touting its versatility, reliability, and surprisingly great range. And unlike the previous eSprinter released in 2019, this model will actually be coming to North America.
Der neue Mercedes-Benz eSprinter // The new Mercedes-Benz eSprinter
As usual, the Sprinter platform is designed for use with cargo vans and as an option for hauling groups of people. But, it is also a popular base for building Class B RVs, and an all-electric model is sure to be popular in that space. Particularly since the vehicle’s 113-kilo-watt-hour battery is rated for 311 miles of range in the city and 249 miles on the highway. That is substantially higher than Ford’s Transit platform, which currently offers a range of about 108 miles.
Der neue Mercedes-Benz eSprinter // The new Mercedes-Benz eSprinter
Recharge times depend heavily on the type of charging station the Sprinter is plugged into. Mercedes says a DC fast charger can take the battery from 10% to 80% in about 42 minutes. A more common 50-kilo-watt charger requires approximately 93 minutes to accomplish the same task, while an AC charging port at home will need 12-13 hours to replenish the van’s power packs fully.
Der neue Mercedes-Benz eSprinter // The new Mercedes-Benz eSprinter
Mercedes will offer the eSprinter with a choice of two motors—one with 134 hp and the other with 201 hp. Both electric drivetrains produce 295 lb-ft of torque, which is on par with the 170 hp diesel engines currently offered on the gas-powered models. The electric motors are in the van’s rear, with the battery packs near the front of the vehicle. This design choice allows for more versatility in terms of wheelbase and roof height options and should improve driving dynamics.
Photo Credit: Mercedes
To help drivers get the most performance out of their electric vans, Mercedes has outfitted the Sprinter with essential technology in the cockpit. That includes systems that continually calculate the remaining range in real-time. A built-in navigation system also takes into account traffic, speed limits, changes in elevation, and other variables along a route. It will also contain a database of charging stations and route the driver to those locations, ensuring they always have enough power to reach their destination.
Photo Credit: Mercedes
The new eSprinter will be made in North America and will go into production in the fall of 2023. Mercedes has not revealed any pricing details yet but should disclose that information closer to the official launch. By then, we should also have an idea of which RV manufacturers may use the new platform to build electric Class B models, which will make camping quieter and more eco-friendly.
Check out the Mercedes website for additional information.
The post Mercedes Officially Announces New Electric Sprinter Van with a 300-Mile Range appeared first on RV.com.
Source: https://www.rv.com/rv/mercedes-officially-announces-new-electric-sprinter-van-with-a-300-mile-range/
