Mercedes-Benz plans to introduce luxurious mid-size electrical passenger vans for the U.S. and China for the primary time, together with factory-built RVs, it revealed on Tuesday. 

The announcement was a part of the corporate’s most complete look but at its next-generation “.EA” electrical architectures. All of those Mercedes-Benz electrical vans shall be constructed on a shared set of elements and modules that may underpin a variety of future mid-size and enormous electrical vans due from the corporate beginning in 2026—though it hasn’t but set an finish date for inside combustion vans that may proceed to be made. 

The corporate hopes to see 20% of its vans be electrical by 2026 and 50% by 2030. Mercedes says that it doubled its U.S. van market share from 2018 to 2022—from 8% to 16% of the market. 

Mercedes electrical van progress

The modern electrical vans shall be constructed on the VAN.EA platform, which goals for manufacturing scalability, effectivity, and simplification, and it fully eliminates legacy inside combustion options like fuel-cap covers and transmission-shaft tunnels. It additionally, in accordance with the corporate, “ensures long-term profitability.”

Autos constructed on the .EA platforms can have a wider vary of physique kinds and design attributes, in comparison with these constructed on ICE platforms. Regardless of that, there shall be fewer core construct variations; Mercedes is aiming to scale back the variety of variants by greater than 50% in comparison with present vans, whereas protecting the identical use instances. 

Mercedes-Benz says that the VAN.EA platform follows a modular technique that enables for “a transparent differentiation between vans for business and personal use—with most synergies.”

Van.EA three modules

VAN.EA consists of three modular blocks. The entrance block is identical on all automobiles and consists of the electrical powertrain and entrance axle. A middle block scales the car size and accommodates different-size battery packs relying on the wants. And a rear module is obtainable with or with out an electrical motor. 

Which means VAN.EA is barely obtainable in front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive configurations, with no plans as of but for a rear-wheel-drive configuration. That can mark a whole turnaround versus the rear-drive eSprinter vans which are set to be made in South Carolina for deliveries beginning later this yr, however a return to the front-drive structure of the first-generation eSprinter that wasn’t offered within the U.S. That eSprinter was additionally developed across the thought of three core modules—solely in its case, round rear-wheel drive. 

Van.EA – cargo and passenger

Mercedes breaks the kind of electrical vans it may make with VAN.EA into two sorts: VAN.EA-P and VAN.EA-C. 

VAN.EA-P choices will embrace luxurious non-public vans positioned to supply a spread past 310 miles (driving cycle not disclosed)—constructing on the eSprinter’s already exceptional effectivity and vary. Mercedes says that they might meet the wants of a VIP shuttle service, bigger energetic households, or as “a regionally CO2-emissions free cell workplace.”

VAN.EA-C vans shall be aimed on the upscale portion of the supply market, it says, with particular “construct from manufacturing facility” vans aiming at courier, specific, and parcel (last-mile-delivery) makes use of—in addition to grocery vans, ambulances, or recreation automobiles. 

Mercedes’ VAN.EA plans additionally embrace electrical RVs, it mentioned, with factory-built mid-size and enormous vans on the best way, primarily based on this platform. The corporate didn’t go as far as to verify a camper van for the U.S. fairly but—however such a model may fulfill consumers who have been holding out for a VW ID.Buzz camper van. 

Van.EA electrical camper van

VAN.EA will share about 50% of its core modules, in addition to inside and exterior elements plus security and next-generation automated-driving options with Mercedes’ Automobile.EA. It’s going to additionally share options of the upcoming MB.OS working system. 

Mercedes claims that these fashions shall be prepared for SAE Degree 2 assisted driving at launch and Degree 3 automation (permitting the driving force to direct consideration elsewhere in some driving circumstances) by the top of the last decade. Industrial variations may be prepared for Degree 4 automation, which means pedals or steering won’t even be obtainable in some conditions. 

It’s prepared for electrical RVs on the software program entrance with specifically tailor-made navigation methods accommodating further measurement and charging wants, the corporate suggests, and it famous the clever charging and cargo administration system it’s developed with and for Deutsche Put up DHL. 

Mercedes-Benz eSprinter vary and effectivity take a look at

The synergies may repay large, with a lineup of vehicles, SUVs, and vans that individually really feel extra distinct however have a shared element set beneath. Worldwide, Mercedes says that 80% of its sellers serve each passenger car and van clients, and the 2 divisions share IT and back-end methods. Vans turned paired with passenger automobiles as a part of the corporate’s break up firstly of 2022 into two firms: Mercedes-Benz (vehicles and vans) and Daimler Vans (vans and buses).