Mercedes-Benz Vans Australia is rolling out its first three electric vehicles in 2022, with a fourth coming in 2024.
The mid-sized eVito panel van, eVito Tourer and EQV will arrive in the second half of 2022, with the eSprinter “intended to follow in or around 2024” when the next-generation model becomes available.
Pricing and specifications will be available closer to launch.
The company will continue to offer internal-combustion engine vehicles but is preparing to switch to electric-only “in the future, when customer and market demand determines it”.
Mercedes-Benz Vans Australia says technical data relevant to Australia for the eVito and next-generation eSprinter isn’t yet available.
Seating up to eight, the EQV people mover features a front-mounted electric motor with 150kW of power and 362Nm of torque, powered by a 100kWh lithium-ion battery.
Range on the stricter WLTP test cycle is 355km, while the EQV can be charged from 10 to 80 per cent at a 110kW DC fast charger in less than 45 minutes.
It also supports AC charging at up to 11kW.
The eVito Tourer seats up to nine and features an identical powertrain, albeit slightly more range (360km).
The EQV is the posher of the two – it’s for hauling your privileged guests, while the eVito Tourer is for moving your colleagues.
“We are confident that the electric drive will gain more prevalence here over the coming years,” said Mercedes-Benz Vans managing director Diane Tarr.
“As it does, we will be ready with a strong customer-centric electric product portfolio, which offers the potential to assist customers with lowering their operating costs and reducing their environmental impact.”
Mercedes-Benz will be one of the early arrivals in the electric van and people mover segment, though its full-sized eSprinter will be beaten to market by the Ford e-Transit that’s due here in mid-2022.
Currently, electric van options in Australia are limited to the small Renault Kangoo Z.E. and BYD T3.
That’s despite European manufacturers in particular offering a brace of electric vans in their home markets, including the Fiat Ducato and Renault Trafic.
Peugeot has a complete range of electric light commercial vehicles available in Europe, comprising electric versions of the Partner, Expert and Boxer. Its local arm has said these are under consideration.
Crucially for Mercedes-Benz, no manufacturer has confirmed they plan to bring an electric people mover to Australia though Volkswagen Australia has previously said they’re eager to get the upcoming ID.Buzz here.
Mercedes-Benz currently has a 60 per cent share of VFACTS’ People Movers Over $60k segment, though admittedly it’s a small segment with just 761 sales year-to-date.
It fields the Mercedes-Benz V-Class, analogue to the EQV, as well as the Marco Polo camper and the Valente, known elsewhere as the Vito Tourer.
All of these are based on the humble Vito van.
Pricing ranges from $65,800 before on-road costs for the Valente to $98,230 before on-roads for the V250d Avantgarde.
The Vito range spans from $42,900 list to $68,750 list for the long-wheelbase 119 crew cab.
MORE: Everything Mercedes-Benz V-Class • Vito • Valente • Sprinter
