Mercedes-Benz has been concerned within the van enterprise since 1896, shortly after the inception of the primary gasoline automobile. The corporate proudly claims to have created the “world’s first work van,” and for practically 130 years, their vans have been used to move items, individuals, and all the things in between. Now, for the primary time, their industrial division has launched a totally electrical choice: the eSprinter.
I lately had the chance to drive the eSprinter. Previous to this, I had been in a 710-horsepower Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat. After arriving at a video shoot with a big manufacturing crew, I unloaded the Hellcat and was met by a large, tan Mercedes eSprinter. The thunderous roar of the Hellcat’s engine was a stark distinction to the silent, house-sized electrical van that adopted. This sudden transition left everybody a bit perplexed.
My week with the eSprinter started with a automobile priced round $60,000 within the U.S. I used to be driving the “cargo van” variant, which options two entrance seats and an empty rear house for transporting gadgets. Upon opening the again of the eSprinter, I used to be startled to discover a big wood crate inside, main me to fret that one thing necessary was forgotten. Utilizing instruments, I pried it open, solely to find it contained a field of rocks.
It appeared that Mercedes, or another person, had positioned the rocks contained in the eSprinter to make sure it dealt with appropriately — simulating a load whereas I drove. The surprising discover made me giggle.
The eSprinter is out there in “commonplace output” and “excessive output” fashions, with the usual model producing 134 horsepower and the excessive output model providing 201 horsepower. The van produces 295 pound-feet of torque, delivering energy to the rear wheels.
Throughout my time with the automobile, I drove a whole lot of miles and got here away with two key impressions: Public charging may be expensive relative to the restricted vary (I spent $64 for a 90 % cost that supplied 172 miles of vary), but for city staff who can cost their vans privately, it’s practically splendid. The eSprinter retains the options of a standard work van, mixed with some great benefits of an electrical automobile, reminiscent of regenerative braking and the flexibility to function air-con or heating with out emitting exhaust fumes. Nonetheless, visibility is considerably compromised, and regardless of the regenerative braking, attaining true one-pedal driving proved elusive.
The Mercedes-Benz eSprinter successfully demonstrates how environment friendly and handy electrical work vans may be for metropolis use. To study extra in regards to the van and be part of me for a drive, take a look at the video linked at the start of this text.
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