A few weeks ago I drove across the Netherlands with the new Sprinter as the flagship of Mercedes-Benz vans. At that time, the Daimler engineers in Düsseldorf were still working feverishly on the electric version of their ‘large van’. This week I had the opportunity to take a closer look at the eSprinter in Hamburg.

What has changed in the new Sprinter?

Thanks to the new front-wheel drive, the engineers were able to lower the loading sill of the Sprinter by 80mm. This is noticeable for the driver when loading and unloading frequently. Another new feature is that the wheel bearings can be loaded in the interior – this provides space in the fight to store the goods for the last mile. A great deal of importance was attached to passenger comfort in the passenger compartment. A hotspot, improved air conditioning and various connectivity functions help the driver and the fleet manager in their daily work.

The cockpit itself has changed in the new Sprinter. A multifunction steering wheel, a really large screen and the various functions of the Mercedes Benz MBUX user experience allow real personalisation for the driver. It can receive messages from the Message Control Centre. Interactions with the driver can be recorded and, depending on the route, suggestions can be made to the driver through the use of artificial intelligence. The system is activated by voice control. In my test vehicle this was done by ‘hey Mercedes’.

All these innovations will also be available in the eSprinter, the electric version, which will be available from next year.

The eSprinter as an electric large van

Next year, the eSprinter will follow the smaller eVito, which will roll off the production line at the commercial vehicle show in 2018. The segment founder of large vans is the perfect companion when the vehicle is used as a rolling workshop or as a spacious delivery vehicle. The new eSprinter will initially be offered as a panel van with a high roof and a permissible total weight of 3500 kilograms. As with the Sprinter itself with an internal combustion engine, the maximum loading volume is 10.5 m3.

With an installed battery capacity of 55 kWh, the expected range is around 150 kilometres with a maximum payload of 900 kilograms. With the second battery option, customers can set different priorities for the application parameters. Three battery units with a capacity of 41 kWh enable a range of around 115 kilometres. In return, the maximum payload increases by around 140 kilograms to around 1040 kilograms.

The eSprinter customers should therefore decide for themselves how they want to position themselves in terms of range and payload.

Like the diesel entry-level unit, the electric drive in the eSprinter delivers 84 kW with a torque of up to 300 Newton metres. As with the eVito, the top speed can be configured to suit the application: To a maximum speed of 80 km/h or up to 120 km/h if it has to go faster. Here the fleet managers are involved in the decision.

Customer co-creation creates industry-specific solutions

In addition to the electrification of the vehicle fleet, the eDrive@VANs strategy also includes the design of a complete system solution for the respective fleet. This includes, for example, advice on the selection of the vehicle, support with tools such as the eVAN Ready App or a holistic view of the total cost of ownership.

For potential users of the eSprinter, an analysis of the organisational and technical conditions at the locations of commercial customers is also crucial. Finally, the integration of an intelligent charging infrastructure concept creates the prerequisites for conserving resources and remaining economically competitive with a commercial fleet.

Customer co-creation plays an important role in the implementation. A comprehensive inventory is followed by the joint development of individual problem solutions in close coordination with the respective customer and sound advice. This covers all areas from vehicle selection and charging infrastructure to energy upgrading of the locations.

Image rights: Daimler AG press page, Michael Brecht

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