2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter
Overview
Mercedes-Benz may soon be bringing an electric vehicle to your doorstep—literally—when one of its new eSprinter electric vans rolls silently up to your home to deliver a package. The company will start selling its all-new battery-powered cargo van in the second half of 2023. (It’s been selling small electric vans in Europe for some time.) It’ll take a keen eye to tell the new eSprinter from the ungainly, high-roof gas-powered Sprinters that have been trundling around the U.S for years as it wears near-identical sheetmetal. Underneath, however, Mercedes has designed an all-new architecture that’s home to a 113-kWh battery located in the eSprinter’s belly and an electric motor in the rear driving the rear wheels. Mercedes estimates a driving range of about 250 miles, but that’s on the European WLTP fuel-economy test cycle, which is far less stringent than the EPA’s testing. Expect the official U.S. range figure to be much lower. But it will still be more than enough for Amazon, DHL, and the like to get the goods to your door—much more quietly, of course.
What’s New for 2024?
The Mercedes-Benz eSprinter is all-new for the 2024 model year, and is expected to launch in the second half of the 2023 calendar year.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
Cargo Van Standard Output
$52,000 (est)
Cargo Van High Output
$58,000 (est)
Mercedes-Benz hasn’t released exact pricing figures yet, however, we expect the eSprinter to cost more than its internal combustion engine-powered counterpart. Standard features include active brake assist, a heated driver seat, two USB-C ports, a trailer hitch prep wiring package, and a load-adaptive electronic stability control system. Aside from the high output powertrain, available options will include an all-wheel drive configuration and a lightweight plastic floor.
EV Motor, Power, and Performance
The eSprinter is propelled by an electric powertrain that Mercedes refers to as eATS. A rear module houses a permanent-magnet synchronous motor that can dole out up to about 295 pound-feet of torque and drives the rear wheels. Two power levels are offered: 134 and 201 horsepower. Power is supplied by a 113-kWh lithium-iron phosphate battery located in the eSprinter’s underside between the front and rear axles. While rear-wheel drive is standard, an all-wheel drive configuration will also be available. The eSprinter is limited to a top speed of 75 miles per hour regardless of which power output you choose, which is fine by us if you’ve seen how some delivery drivers drive.
More on the eSprinter Van
Towing and Payload Capacity
The eSprinter will offer 488 cubic feet of cargo space, a bit shy of the gas Sprinter’s the 533-cu-ft cargo capacity. Max payload for the eSprinter is 2,624 pounds, which is less than half the capacity of the gas-powered Sprinter, but still amounts to a whole lot of cargo. While the automaker has yet to release an exact figure for towing capacity, we expect it to be significantly less than what the gas-powered Sprinter is capable of.
Range, Charging, and Battery Life
Mercedes initial range estimate of about 250 miles is based on the less-rigorous European WLTP test cycle; the official EPA rating, which has yet to be released, will be significantly lower. Mercedes says the battery can be charged from 10 percent to 80 percent in as little as 42 minutes using a DC fast charger. Total charge time for a completely depleted battery will be over 12 hours using a conventional 240-volt outlet.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The eSprinter will launch as a long van with a high roofline and will offer 488 cubic feet of cargo space, which is fairly close to what the regular Sprinter offers (533 cubic feet). Since it’s a Mercedes, it will likely offer more interior refinement that its sole competitor, the Ford E-Transit. Options for making delivery life more palatable include heated and pivoting front seats, a heated windshield, electric folding exterior mirrors, air-conditioning, an electric sliding door and step, a digital rear view mirror, and more.
The Car and Driver Difference
Infotainment and Connectivity
The eSprinter will feature the latest generation of MBUX software (Mercedes-Benz User Experience), which includes the “Hey Mercedes” voice control assistant. In addition to voice control, MBUX can also be operated via a touchscreen, touchpad, and touch-sensitive steering-wheel-mounted buttons. A 10.3-inch touchscreen display will be optional, and cloud-based services will also be available through the Mercedes me connect digital ecosystem.
How to Buy and Maintain a Car
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Mercedes provides the eSprinter with a list of standard driver-assistance technology, including blind spot assist, crosswind assist, and active brake assist with cross-traffic function. It also warns the driver if it detects signs of drowsiness or inattention. For more information about the Sprinter’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
Standard brake assist with cross-traffic function Standard blind spot assist Standard attention assist
As more information becomes available, we’ll update this story with more details about:
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
