Mercedes-Benz to electrify all commercial vans

Mercedes-Benz has announced plans for the electrification of its entire commercial van range.

The mid-sized eVito, which is now available to order, is the first vehicle to be manufactured through the initiative.

More model ranges will be announced in 2019.

Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans Volker Mornhinweg says there is now a “real alternative for commercial customers”.

“We are convinced by the necessity of electric drive in our vans, especially in city centre applications.

“The eVito is the starting point and will be followed by the new -generation of our Sprinter as well as the Citan,” he says.

The eVito is the company’s second all-electric production model after the 2010 Vito E-Cell. It’s starting price is just under NZ$69,000 before tax.
Mornhinweg says the higher purchase price will be offset by lower energy and maintenance costs as well as tax savings.

Logistics provider Hermes has partnered with Mercedes-Benz Vans for a pilot run of the vehicles in German cities Hamburg and Stuttgart at the start of 2018.

The electric fleet will be used for parcel deliveries and will eventually be rolled out to other urban areas with 1500 electric Vito and Sprinter by 2020.
The partnership will also focus on creating efficient charging infrastructure for the fleet.

The eVito has a 41.1 kWh battery which can travel up to 150 km with a top speed of 120km/h.