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Mercedes bringing its electric Sprinter into the U.S. market

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Market Trends | Technology
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Mercedez-Benz will introduce its electric Sprinter van to U.S. and Canadian markets this year as other major automakers work to expand their emission-free offerings.

Calling it “the most efficient Mercedez-Benz eVan of all time,” the luxury carmaker said the van will be equipped with the largest available battery and have a range of about 250 miles.

“With the new eSprinter, we are taking the electric large van segment to a new level,” said Mathias Geisen, Mercedes’ head of van operations. “The triad of efficiency, range and load capacity with simultaneous TCO optimization makes the new eSprinter the most versatile Mercedes-Benz eVan ever.”

The battery-operated Sprinter will launch in North America during the second half of 2023, and be introduced in Europe by the end of the year.

It was designed using a new concept consisting of three modules, the company said.

    • The front module will include high-voltage components and can be combined with all vehicle variants.
    • The integrated high-voltage battery module sits in the underbody to save space. “The battery location between the axles, together with the robust battery housing, results in a low center of gravity, which has a positive influence on handling and increases driving safety,” Mercedes said.
    • The third pillar of the modular design is the rear module with the electrically driven rear axle. 

Mercedes has previously said that an electric counterpart will exist in 2025 “for every model the company makes.” The OEM plans to launch three new all-electric platforms in 2025, the year it also expects at least half of its sales to come from hybrid or even more electrified powertrains.

Its new eSprinters are equipped with the latest Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) software, while the van boasts “electric intelligence” to help drivers plan with confidence.

“For example, it shows the current range in real time depending on the current traffic situation and the topography of the route,” the OEM said. “It also calculates the best possible charging strategy to get to the destination as quickly as possible, or to have the desired state of charge (SoC) at the destination. Authentication at the charging station is simple via MBUX, with payment via Mercedes me. Other highlights include increased performance, extensive personalization options and optimizations of the ‘Hey Mercedes’ voice control assistant.”

Mercedes is among several automakers stepping up its EV game as the market seems poised to reach $110 billion by 2030.

Last month, Honda announced the launch of a new business unit to accelerate its electric vehicle (EV) business. The structural shift will “further strengthen and accelerate Honda’s electrification business,” the OEM said in a statement.

“By further accelerating the series of initiatives Honda has been taking to transform itself through electrification and new value creation, Honda strives to remain and become even more recognized as a ‘company society wants to exist’ in the electrified era.’”

Toyota more recently announced leadership changes, naming a new CEO as it navigates the EV transition.

And in a Red Bull advertisement earlier this week, Ford teased the impending release of its all-electric Ford-150 Lightning pickup. Tesla expects its Cybertruck to hit the market by year’s end too, the automaker’s chief vehicle designer said in a recent podcast.

Image

The new Mercedes-Benz eSprinter. (Courtesy Mercedes-Benz)

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