Many electrical vans have been shunned by companies and personal patrons as a result of they don’t have sufficient vary for something apart from city actions. Nonetheless, with a fairly large new lithium iron phosphate (LFP) 113 kWh battery pack, the Mercedes-Benz eSprinter ought to simply present over 200 miles of vary in regular operation, which opens up a brand new realm of prospects.
It doesn’t have an official EPA vary estimate as a result of the EPA does not take a look at industrial autos. In Europe, nevertheless, it’s rated at 271 miles on the WLTP cycle. Our estimate, based mostly on the identified optimism of the WLTP take a look at cycle versus the way more correct EPA vary score, is that the eSprinter ought to offer you round 220 to 230 miles.
The eSprinter is an electrical van that is sensible
With a bigger battery than the 100 kWh pack that Rivian places within the Amazon supply van, the Mercedes eSprinter has sufficient vary to satisfy most day by day wants and can be DC fast-charged for speedy vary replenishment.
In order for you the 113 kWh battery, it’s a must to get 170-inch wheelbase high-roof eSprinter, which prices beginning at slightly below $72,000. That will get you the usual output motor with 134 horsepower, however for a further $3,340, you may improve to the 201-hp motor just like the one within the EQV we examined just a few years in the past. Torque for each motors is similar at 295 pound-feet.
Mercedes additionally affords a smaller 81 kWh battery, which you’ll be able to have in the identical massive boy physique or the shorter 144-inch wheelbase mannequin with the decrease roof. That model is about $10,000 cheaper, nevertheless it’s nowhere close to as roomy and never nearly as good at carrying tall gadgets like fridges upright.
To check whether or not the large eSprinter with the brand new battery is reduce out for a longer-haul life within the US, Kyle Conner from Out of Spec Opinions subjected the van to a 70-mph freeway vary take a look at. After 177 miles of freeway driving, it had 1% battery left, and despite the fact that it was solely delivering half of its nominal energy, it was nonetheless capable of keep 70 mph.
With 1% remaining, Kyle pulled off the freeway and saved driving it on the slower roads across the charging station. By the point he reached the charger, the state of cost had dropped to 0% with 179 miles on the journey meter. Needless to say this was solely freeway driving at a relentless 70 mph—the EPA take a look at entails a mixture of freeway and metropolis driving, the latter of which is much extra environment friendly in EVs—so the result’s greater than admirable.
We additionally discovered this extra in-depth evaluation of the eSprinter by TFLEV, the place they present extra of its options, discuss the way it drives and price it for practicality. It’s unsurprisingly manner smoother to drive than a combustion engine Sprinter, helped by the close to silent operating of an electrical motor. One cool truth they level out is that it has composite somewhat than steel leaf springs for the rear suspension, serving to it take care of the additional weight from the battery pack.
It is a intelligent answer, one that allows the eSprinter to supply the best vary of any U.S.-market electrical van. If you have to put critical mileage in your electrical van, it is the one to get.