Review – Mercedes-Benz eSprinter (2024)
Diesel, is it still necessary?
The commercial vehicle industry faces a challenging task. In the Netherlands, cities are gradually closing to diesel vans, which will increase demand for electric commercial vehicles. Not yet this year, because anyone who buys a diesel bus now will be allowed downtown for a few more years. But do you need a diesel bus at all, you may ask….
Developments
In fact, electric commercial vehicles have undergone impressive development in recent years. Whereas the first generation eSprinter was still limited to a maximum range of 160 kilometers, the updated version now offers an impressive range that is no less than three times as large. In 2020, Mercedes-Benz Vans offered only two battery variants, with a maximum capacity of 47 kWh. In a passenger car these days, we even find that unimpressive. But now, just four years later, battery offerings are a lot more interesting. Even the smallest battery now has a capacity of 56 kWh, resulting in a range of up to 233 kilometers. Ample for entrepreneurs who operate mainly in urban areas or keep their operations within one county.
480 kilometers
For those who also need to travel longer distances regularly, the middle battery variant with 81 kWh is recommended, offering a range of 330 kilometers. For couriers who commute daily between Maastricht and Groningen, the largest battery with a capacity of 113 kWh is the best choice. With this huge battery, the eSprinter can travel as much as 480 kilometers on a single full charge, which is comparable to the range of the German brand’s electric passenger cars. Of course, you have to take into account that in practice you will easily get 100 kilometers less – especially in winter conditions – but with a realistic range of 300 to 400 kilometers you should be fine in the Netherlands.
Still prefer diesel? In addition to its electric variant, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter still offers a diesel option with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine ranging from 114 to 190 hp. It can be paired with a 6-speed manual transmission or an automatic.
Long lifespan
You don’t have to worry much about battery life because Mercedes-Benz uses LFP batteries. These batteries contain no scarce materials and have a very long life, extending over hundreds of thousands of miles. Moreover, you can always fully charge these batteries without serious wear and tear, unlike regular batteries where charging above 80 percent is often not recommended. Think of your own phone, where over time battery life decreases significantly due to repeated full charging. So the eSprinter does not suffer from that, you can charge it to 100% every day without any problems. Which is nice, considering that commercial vehicles – unlike many passenger cars – often have to cover continuous mileage.
With power ratings from 136 to 204 hp, the electric Sprinter offers fine performance. An electric motor is made for this work. They deliver readily available – and lots of – torque, so you’re never short of power. That it makes for an extra-smooth, smooth and quiet driving experience is a nice bonus. The maximum payload of 14 cubic meters and a towing capacity of 2 tons also do not make us immediately long for a diesel engine. Although, of course, there will be applications for which eSprinter is not yet suitable for the time being. If only the charging network, which is still in its infancy outside Western Europe.
No front engine
An interesting detail is the placement of the engine on the rear axle, as opposed to the traditional placement on the front axle of commercial vehicles. This, according to the brand, contributes to better weight distribution and handling. It also makes the bus more suitable for conversion. For example, the eSprinter is now also available as a chassis cab.
MBUX
The interior of the eSprinter also received a major update. With the standard MBUX system and digital rear-view mirror, drivers are provided with the latest technological gadgets, which are also familiar from the brand’s passenger cars. MBUX uses a pleasant high-resolution screen with plenty of computing power. The turbine-shaped air vents appear to have been taken directly from the prestigious Mercedes S-Class. In addition, standard driving assistance systems such as cruise control and lane keeping assist are present, so you don’t have to constantly make small corrections on the highway to stay within the lines. If you spend hours on the road, this is definitely not a luxury.
One downside in the interior is the lack of a digital instrument cluster, on which, for example, you can see the navigation map in front of you, as is possible in Stellantis’ four new large commercial vehicle . Can you live without it? Absolutely, because on the 10-inch infotainment screen, the navigation map even shows detailed 3D satellite images. How the updated eSprinter rides tell you in the video below.
