Mercedes-Benz plans to introduce luxurious mid-size electrical passenger vans for the U.S. and China for the primary time, together with factory-built RVs, it revealed on Tuesday.
The announcement was a part of the corporate’s most complete look but at its next-generation “.EA” electrical architectures. All of those Mercedes-Benz electrical vans can be constructed on a shared set of parts and modules that may underpin a variety of future mid-size and enormous electrical vans due from the corporate beginning in 2026—though it hasn’t but set an finish date for inner combustion vans that may proceed to be made.
The corporate hopes to see 20% of its vans be electrical by 2026 and 50% by 2030. Mercedes says that it doubled its U.S. van market share from 2018 to 2022—from 8% to 16% of the market.
Mercedes electrical van progress
The modern electrical vans can be constructed on the VAN.EA platform, which goals for manufacturing scalability, effectivity, and simplification, and it fully eliminates legacy inner combustion options like fuel-cap covers and transmission-shaft tunnels. It additionally, in accordance with the corporate, “ensures long-term profitability.”
Automobiles constructed on the .EA platforms may have a wider vary of physique kinds and design attributes, in comparison with these constructed on ICE platforms. Regardless of that, there can be fewer core construct variations; Mercedes is aiming to scale back the variety of variants by greater than 50% in comparison with present vans, whereas masking the identical use circumstances.
Mercedes-Benz says that the VAN.EA platform follows a modular technique that permits for “a transparent differentiation between vans for business and personal use—with most synergies.”
Van.EA three modules
VAN.EA consists of three modular blocks. The entrance block is similar on all automobiles and contains the electrical powertrain and entrance axle. A middle block scales the car size and accommodates different-size battery packs relying on the wants. And a rear module is obtainable with or with out an electrical motor.
Meaning VAN.EA is just accessible in front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive configurations, with no plans as of but for a rear-wheel-drive configuration. That can mark an entire turnaround versus the rear-drive eSprinter vans which can be set to be made in South Carolina for deliveries beginning later this yr, however a return to the front-drive format of the first-generation eSprinter that wasn’t offered within the U.S. That eSprinter was additionally developed across the thought of three core modules—solely in its case, round rear-wheel drive.
Van.EA – cargo and passenger
Mercedes breaks the kind of electrical vans it may make with VAN.EA into two sorts: VAN.EA-P and VAN.EA-C.
VAN.EA-P choices will embody luxurious non-public vans positioned to supply a spread past 310 miles (driving cycle not disclosed)—constructing on the eSprinter’s already outstanding effectivity and vary. Mercedes says that they may meet the wants of a VIP shuttle service, bigger lively households, or as “a domestically CO2-emissions free cellular workplace.”
VAN.EA-C vans can be aimed on the upscale portion of the supply market, it says, with particular “construct from manufacturing unit” vans aiming at courier, categorical, and parcel (last-mile-delivery) makes use of—in addition to grocery vans, ambulances, or recreation automobiles.
Mercedes’ VAN.EA plans additionally embody electrical RVs, it stated, with factory-built mid-size and enormous vans on the best way, primarily based on this platform. The corporate didn’t go as far as to verify a camper van for the U.S. fairly but—however such a model may fulfill customers who have been holding out for a VW ID.Buzz camper van.
Van.EA electrical camper van
VAN.EA will share about 50% of its core modules, in addition to inside and exterior parts plus security and next-generation automated-driving options with Mercedes’ Automotive.EA. It’s going to additionally share options of the upcoming MB.OS working system.
Mercedes claims that these fashions can be prepared for SAE Stage 2 assisted driving at launch and Stage 3 automation (permitting the driving force to direct consideration elsewhere in some driving situations) by the tip of the last decade. Business variations could be prepared for Stage 4 automation, that means pedals or steering may not even be accessible in some conditions.
It’s prepared for electrical RVs on the software program entrance with specifically tailor-made navigation programs accommodating further measurement and charging wants, the corporate suggests, and it famous the clever charging and cargo administration system it’s developed with and for Deutsche Put up DHL.
Mercedes-Benz eSprinter vary and effectivity check
The synergies may repay massive, with a lineup of automobiles, SUVs, and vans that individually really feel extra distinct however have a shared part set beneath. Worldwide, Mercedes says that 80% of its sellers serve each passenger car and van prospects, and the 2 divisions share IT and back-end programs. Vans turned paired with passenger automobiles as a part of the corporate’s cut up firstly of 2022 into two firms: Mercedes-Benz (automobiles and vans) and Daimler Vans (vehicles and buses).