Mercedes-Benz has introduced plans for a brand new inner combustion van structure, alongside its beforehand acknowledged dedication to creating electrical vans based mostly on a devoted platform. Whereas electrical vans using the brand new Van.EA platform are set to launch in 2026, they are going to now be accompanied by combustion fashions based mostly on a “second variant of the structure” known as Van.CA, or Combustion Structure, as detailed in a press launch.
Each the combustion and electrical vans will share roughly 70% of their components and will likely be produced on the identical meeting strains. This shared element technique is anticipated to supply Mercedes with economies of scale and higher flexibility in manufacturing, permitting the corporate to adapt to fluctuating demand for numerous powertrain sorts. At present, Mercedes provides each gasoline and diesel vans in markets together with the U.S. and Europe.
Beforehand, Mercedes had indicated that every one future medium and huge vans can be based mostly solely on the Van.EA platform, with no specs offered for car dimension concerning the Van.CA. The emphasis on shared components means that the vans could also be comparable in design, differing primarily of their powertrains.
This isn’t the primary time Mercedes has altered its strategy to electrical vans; the corporate beforehand partnered with Rivian to supply electrical vans for Europe however is now focusing solely on its in-house Van.EA platform. An idea car based mostly on this platform is anticipated to debut this spring, paving the best way for manufacturing fashions to launch subsequent yr.
At present, the Mercedes-Benz eSprinter is manufactured utilizing the identical chassis as combustion-engine vans. Trying ahead, evidently Mercedes is investing extra in combustion and hybrid fashions reasonably than pursuing an solely all-electric van future.
Source link
