Update: ‘Specifications’ section updated and ‘TopElectricSUV says’ section added.
The next-gen Mercedes eSprinter is undergoing final testing and will make its world debut in February 2023. The ‘eSprinter 2.0’ is set for launch (sales launch) in the second half of 2023, and the electric van will be manufactured at North Charleston in South Carolina, and in Düsseldorf and Ludwigsfelde, in Germany. Here’s everything we know about the 2024 Mercedes eSprinter.
Specifications
Wheelbase & versions
According to a report Automotive News published on August 11, 2022, the next-gen Mercedes eSprinter will be available in two wheelbases. Over time, expect the redesigned electric van to come in multiple body styles that suit a variety of commercial applications.
To create even greater added value for customers in the future, Mercedes-Benz Vans developed the new Electric Versatility Platform for the large van segment. This innovative e-drive platform will be the technical basis for the next-generation eSprinter.
Mercedes-Benz Vans in an announcement (via group-media.mercedes-benz.com) on December 9, 2020
Marcus Breitschwerdt, the former Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans, said in 2020 that the company has initiated many innovations in recent years and has accelerated its electrification strategy by combining both its innovation and expertise. Requirements for the next generation eSprinter were defined after engaging with the CEP sector (courier, express, and parcel services) and bodybuilders.
Battery & Range
Mercedes-Benz Vans plans to offer the next-gen eSprinter with three battery pack options. In a real-world test drive from the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart to Munich Airport and return on October 19, 2022, a pre-production unit fitted with the largest battery pack achieved a range of 475 km (295 miles) and averaged 21.9 kWh/100 km (21.9 kWh/62 miles). It was an extra-long eSprinter with a high roof, a configuration mainly designed for the CEP industry.
TÜV Süd certified the energy efficiency figure of 21.9 kWh/100 km (21.9 kWh/62 miles). After completing the 475 km trip, the instrument cluster showed a range of another 20 km was still available. Thus, the 2024 eSprinter could deliver a range of up to around 500 km (311 miles) in optimal conditions.
Detailed specifications have not been released yet. However, the official images released suggest that the 2024 Mercedes eSprinter will be rear-wheel-drive. Other high-voltage components will be front-mounted, opening up maximum room at the rear for cargo and improved flexibility.
Depending on the task, the top speed of the current Mercedes eSprinter is configurable to 50 mph, 61 mph, and 76 mph (80 kmph, 100 kmph, and 120 kmph). Expect this to be more or similar in the incoming model.
Mercedes eSprinter 2.0 review (prototype)
CNET has published a review of an early next-gen Mercedes eSprinter prototype. A journalist from the American publication rode shotgun with a Mercedes-Benz engineer and stated that the electric van had felt smooth. As the vehicle was empty, the ride quality was stiff, but that would even out once there’s cargo loaded up on the deck. According to the article, the eSprinter 2.0 prototype, which didn’t carry any cargo at the time of the test, felt quick and built up speeds effortlessly.
Not only would be the new eSprinter more capable underneath, but it will also be more connected and modern in terms of features. The electric van will come with Mercedes’ latest MBUX system with smartphone connectivity and possibly even OTA capability. Additionally, according to the publication, the new van’s charging port would be neatly hidden behind the front three-pointed star.
eSprinter production
The eSprinter was not sold in the USA and Canada previously, but that will change with the new generation model next year. Mercedes-Benz has committed close to USD 350 million for the next-generation van, indicating how important the product is for the future.
The Mercedes eSprinter will compete with the Ford e-Transit, Rivian Amazon Prime Van, and the Brightdrop Zevo 600, as well as upcoming electric vans like the Ram ProMaster EV. Breitschwerdt explained that next-gen eSprinter’s production in the U.S. and Germany ensured market-oriented production.
North Charleston plant
The North Charleston plant in the U.S. has produced over 200,000 gas-powered Sprinter and Metris vans. The facility was previously a semi-knockdown plant, and it was expanded into a full-scale production plant in 2015, adding a new body shop, paint shop, and extended assembly building. Three years and EUR 500 million later, the new plant was ready in 2018, just in time for the launch of the new Sprinter.
The Charleston plant will be the first to produce the next-gen eSprinter. The production is set to start in the second half of 2023, and an investment of EUR 50 million will be made into the plant to optimize it for electric vehicle production.
New eSprinter concludes winter testing
Mercedes concluded winter testing of the new eSprinter in Arjeplog, Sweden, in February 2022. The premium electric van was subjected to temperatures as low as -30 degrees Celsius (-22 degrees Fahrenheit). Mercedes engineers worked on handling, ergonomics, thermal management, and cabin comfort to make it market-ready. Mercedes says the drive components were fine-tuned and charging behavior optimized.
Mercedes-Benz has stated that new vehicle architectures from 2025 will be purely electric, and the brand will roll out an electric architecture christened VAN.EA for its future electric vans.
TopElectricSUV says
The 2024 Mercedes eSprinter should be a large electric van with plenty of space, practicality, and convenience as well as eco-friendliness. Available in multiple versions, from panel van to chassis for box bodies, for example, it would be highly flexible, too. Local production will ensure it’s affordable and maybe even eligible for savings under the Clean Vehicle Credit program.
2024 Mercedes eSprinter FAQs
What is the 2024 Mercedes eSprinter release date?
Mercedes Vans has confirmed the production launch for the second half of 2023 in the U.S.
Which are the competitors of the next-gen eSprinter?
The Ram Promaster electric, Brightdrop Zevo 600, Rivian EDV 700 and the Ford e-Transit could be some of its rivals.
What is the expected 2024 Mercedes eSprinter price?
Expect the premium electric van to start at around USD 50,000 in the U.S.
Featured Image Source: Mercedes-Benz
