In a nutshell:
- Price and specs revealed for new fully-electric Mercedes-Benz eSprinter.
- Range of 96 miles, 30 minute fast-charging capacity.
- Payload remains unchanged from naturally-aspirated versions.
- Beats the ULEZ charge and qualifies for OLEV grant.
- Priced from £51,950 ex VAT.
Mercedes-Benz is readying itself for the launch of the eSprinter, a mega-anticipated electric version of one of the UK’s most popular vans.
And with load space unchanged from standard versions, and vehicles able to beat London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone charges, it could be a godsend for countless firms.
Mercedes-Benz has, of course, already revealed its eVito van, priced from £39,895 ex VAT, and which went on sale earlier this year, which is available on lease now.
Now the high-top eSprinter is set to join the line-up, and brand new details about price and spec have just been unveiled.
The eSprinter is priced from £51,950, excluding VAT, and is a vehicle eligible for the Office For Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) Grant, meaning firms can benefit from a 20 per cent reduction on the vehicle purchase price, up to a maximum of £8000.
The eSprinter comes in two variants - both fully electric - and both incarnations have a range of around 96 miles, which is similar to the eVito.
One offers a standard DC 20kW fast charging system, meaning the battery can be charged in 120 mins, from 10-80% battery capacity.
The other option is a Dc 80kW charging kit, meaning it can be restored from 10-80% in just 30 mins.
Like most other electric vehicles, the eSprinter uses a recuperation process that recovers energy when the vehicle is decelerating, improving efficiencies.
And drivers can adjust the recuperation mode with the gearshift paddles - with the greater the recuperation, the faster the vehicle decelerates.
As standard, the eSprinter includes a heated seat for the driver with armrest, dual passenger seat, comfort overhead control panel, a full-width partition, height and rake adjustable steering wheel, TEMPMATIC air conditioning, wooden floor, a mode 3 type 2 eight-meter charging cable, linear speed limiter 120km/h, headlight assistant, heat-insulating glass, and 270-degree double-wing rear-end doors.
In addition to DAB radio, the Mercedes-Benz audio system comes with a Bluetooth interface with hands-free function and a USB port.
Mercedes-Benz says the eSprinter enjoys a ‘class-leading package of driver support as standard’, which includes Active Brake ASSIST, Attention ASSIST, Crosswind ASSIST and Emergency eCall, and there’s also double locks and Thatcham Category 1 approved alarm as standard, along with theft warning alerts and geo-fencing.
Those latter gadgets are thanks to the ‘Mercedes PRO connect’ network, which is free for the first two years, and ‘ensures real-time vehicle management that enables intelligently organised schedules, efficient route mapping, and assesses the battery charge levels and range of an entire fleet at a glance’.
Perhaps more importantly for firms, the eSprinter is also eligible for Transport for London’s scrappage scheme and exempt from ULEZ charges, and the payload remains the same from naturally-aspirated Sprinters - 370.8 cubic feet (10.5 cubic meters).
A Mercedes-Benz spokesperson says: “The load space also remains uncompromised thanks to the configuration of the batteries under the floor; four parallel high-voltage battery blocks are installed securely in the eSprinter’s underbody as standard, which can be replaced individually in the event of damage. The eSprinter’s battery benefits from an eight year, 160,000km warranty, and has an expected battery capacity of at least 70% after eight years.”
The eSprinter is offered in a choice of five solid paints as standard, while the metallic paint choices carry a £565 premium.
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