New Mercedes eSprinter electric van gets 248-mile range

The second-generation eSprinter will arrive towards the the end of 2023 to rival the Ford E-Transit

New Mercedes eSprinter

Mercedes has unveiled the new, second-generation eSprinter electric van: its response to the game-changing Ford E-Transit that launched last year and won DrivingElectric’s Best Large Electric Van award for 2023.

The updated version of Mercedes’ large electric van will be available with three battery sizes – 56kWh, 81kWh and 113kWh – the largest of which will allow the new Sprinter to cover up to 248 miles on a single charge, or up to 310 miles in city driving, according to Mercedes. In comparison, the E-Transit has a 196-mile range, while the outgoing eSprinter offered just 95 miles of range fully charged. 

Speaking of charging, the eSprinter can now charge at up to 115kW, which is the same as the E-Transit and more than twice as fast as other rivals like the Fiat E-Ducato can be topped up. As a result, replenishing the 56kWh battery from 10-80% can be done in as little as 28 minutes from a powerful enough rapid charging point, or 42 minutes for the 113kWh unit. The new eSprinter can also charge at up to 11kW from an AC wallbox or public charger.

The new eSprinter has also switched from front to rear-wheel drive, with a choice of two power outputs from the single electric motor. It’ll produce either 134bhp or 201bhp, delivering up to 400Nm of torque. 

The eSprinter’s cabin has been updated, too, and gets more technology on-board, including the latest version of Mercedes’ MBUX infotainment system, ‘Hey Mercedes’ virtual assistant and navigation with "Electric Intelligence", that can calculate the best possible charging strategy to get you to your destination as quickly as possible, or to have a set amount of charge remaining when you arrive. 

The new eSprinter panel van will come in two body styles and lengths, but it can also serve as the base for various conversions and body variants for specific use cases.

The new eSprinter will go on sale in North America in the second half of 2023, before landing in the UK and Europe towards the end of the year. The first version expected to arrive here is an L3 length panel van fitted with the 113kWh battery, while the smaller batteries and other variants like a chassis cab will be rolled out in 2024. The next-generation eSprinter will be produced in South Carolina, USA, as well as two plants in Düsseldorf and Ludwigsfelde in Germany. 

When it arrives, the new eSprinter will sit at the top of the Merc’s range of pure-electric commercial vehicles, which will soon include the compact eCitan and the medium-sized eVito, which compete with the Citroen e-Berlingo and Vauxhall Vivaro Electric, respectively.

Mercedes already has plans to develop a new dedicated electric platform for use on its third generation of zero-emissions vans, with the first models to use this new VAN.EA architecture expected to launch around 2025.

Recommended

Mercedes EQS SUV review
Mercedes EQS SUV - front 1
In-depth reviews

Mercedes EQS SUV review

26 May 2023
Peugeot e-2008 review
Peugeot e-2008
In-depth reviews

Peugeot e-2008 review

26 May 2023
BMW i5 breaks cover as 5 Series EV
BMW i5 - eDrive40 dynamic front
News

BMW i5 breaks cover as 5 Series EV

24 May 2023
Electric Ford Puma could become the UK’s best-selling EV
Ford Puma EV
News

Electric Ford Puma could become the UK’s best-selling EV

22 May 2023

Most Popular

Electric Ford Puma could become the UK’s best-selling EV
Ford Puma EV
News

Electric Ford Puma could become the UK’s best-selling EV

The Ford Puma EV is set to arrive in 2024 with a range of over 200 miles and a tweaked exterior design
22 May 2023
Vauxhall Corsa Electric facelift brings sharp new look and tech
2024 Vauxhall Corsa Electric - header
News

Vauxhall Corsa Electric facelift brings sharp new look and tech

Vauxhall’s top-selling electric supermini has been updated for 2023, now getting the ‘Vizor’ from the Mokka Electric
24 May 2023
Caterham EV Seven is the track day car of the future
Caterham EV Seven - rear
News

Caterham EV Seven is the track day car of the future

Caterham has revealed an all-electric version of its iconic Seven sports car… that you can’t buy
23 May 2023