2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter Paves the Way for Future Deliveries

Mercedes-Benz’s march toward electrification contains multitudes. On one end of the spectrum we have the EQS SUV, an egglike craft adorned with ambient lighting and wall-to-wall screens full of crisply rendered graphics. And all the way over on the other side is the 2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter. The electric variant of the long-running Sprinter commercial van eschews the EQS SUV’s fripperies, but its quiet, smooth, and responsive operation—not to mention this latest version’s much-improved range and efficiency—demonstrates why electric vans will proliferate in the coming decade.

Mercedes launched the Europe-market electric Sprinter in December 2019, but its meager range barely eclipsed 100 miles under the right conditions, making it a difficult proposition for North America. This second-generation eSprinter, however, is ready to go the distance in the U.S., starting with a single configuration—a high-roof body with a 170.0-inch wheelbase and a 280.4-inch overall length.

2024 mercedes-benz esprinter paves the way for future deliveries

2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter

Packing a 113.0-kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery, the eSprinter should have a range of 273 miles on the optimistic European WLTP test cycle, with an impressive 329-mile estimate on the WLTP city-specific cycle. Stateside measures tend to be far lower, but we believe it should get around 230 miles of EPA range. On our drive, the eSprinter’s dashboard readout displayed 181 miles of range at the start. A two-hour, 69-mile drive loop that included hilly terrain and highway driving dropped that to 129 miles, with a claimed efficiency of 2.0 miles per kWh, which would align with our top-tier guesswork.

Given the van’s size and heft (curb weight is a C/D-estimated 6900 pounds), 200-plus miles seems adequate for the eSprinter’s intended function of local deliveries. A standard heat pump helps mitigate cold-weather efficiency issues, and Eco and Maximum Range drive settings improve range by limiting power, although we can’t imagine many drivers will want to downgrade to the latter’s lethargic 107-hp output cap. When it’s time to recharge, the eSprinter handles up to 115 kW on a DC fast-charger, with the battery going from 10 to 80 percent in a claimed 42 minutes. The maximum Level 2 charging speed is 9.6 kW.

2024 mercedes-benz esprinter paves the way for future deliveries

2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter

The eSprinter’s rear-mounted electric motor comes in two differing outputs. The 134-hp version costs $3430 less than the high-output variant (the one we drove), which produces 201 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The immediate acceleration that we’ve experienced in many EVs wasn’t present, although highway merges weren’t too much of a challenge. The van remained adequately responsive above 55 mph, but you’ll want to stick to the right lane given the 75-mph limiter. The accelerator has a fair amount of resistance, so moving forward with purpose requires a deliberate, assertive pedal prod—a reminder to the driver that juice isn’t infinite. This predictable response eliminated any surprising acceleration surges, crucial when piloting something of this stature through narrow spaces.

The eSprinter offers multiple levels of regenerative braking, including an automatic setting that uses sensors to predict the amount of regeneration required based on the traffic ahead—similar to the feature in the EQS. The system also serves as a coach, displaying a small icon on the dash when it wants you to lift off the accelerator to activate regen. While this automatic mode doesn’t suffer from the alarming phantom pedal movement that we’ve experienced in Mercedes’s consumer EVs, we preferred handling the regen duties on our own. The strongest setting doesn’t allow for full one-pedal driving, but it provides consistent, predictable deceleration down to a crawl.

2024 mercedes-benz esprinter paves the way for future deliveries

2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter

What surprised us most was the large van’s road manners. The vehicles we drove carried 440 pounds of stuff, far under the 2624-pound maximum capacity, but still a better barometer than driving it totally unladen. The eSprinter shrugged off big bumps with ease, adeptly absorbing most impacts and minimizing rear-axle hop. On curvier, 55-mph mountain roads, the eSprinter’s handling impressed, with little body roll and fairly precise steering that inspired enough confidence to keep up with more nimble traffic.

Inside, the eSprinter is nearly identical to its combustion-powered counterpart. The leather armrests are well cushioned, and the seats are comfortable and supportive but also extremely upright—the cargo-area partition wall prevents any sort of reclining. The upscale-looking black central binnacle sports a high-quality display running the latest Mercedes infotainment system, which includes the “Hey Mercedes” voice assistant. There are practical storage cubbies throughout, while a flat floor helps the cabin feel (sort of) spacious, and an optional rear-camera mirror vastly improves rear visibility.

2024 mercedes-benz esprinter paves the way for future deliveries

2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter

The eSprinter enters a growing segment, where it faces off against the Rivian EDV, the Ford E-Transit, and the Ram ProMaster EV. A starting price of $74,181 puts the eSprinter far above the Ford and the Ram, yet it still undercuts the Rivian. But, according to Mercedes’s estimates, the eSprinter outdoes the field in terms of range. While the Benz’s payload and gross vehicle weight rating are on par with the Rivian’s, the cheaper Ford and Ram both boast payload capacities over 3000 pounds, with the E-Transit topping the chart at up to 3880 pounds.

The upgraded 2024 eSprinter shows the rapid pace of development in the electric-van segment and acts a stopgap until 2026, when Mercedes’s next generation of e-vans arrives on the VAN.EA architecture, which will reportedly pile on the capability even further. But right now, in a world already obsessed with online shopping and speedy delivery, the eSprinter is ready to hit the ground running.

OTHER NEWS

21 minutes ago

'Nude artist' Dina Broadhurst suffers a nip slip as she poses topless during a tropical getaway

21 minutes ago

Video: Perrie Edwards puts on a leggy display in gold minidress with a daring thigh-high slit as she takes to the stage for solo debut at Capital Summertime Ball

21 minutes ago

Video: Jerry Seinfeld blasts anti-Israel heckler during Sydney standup gig: 'We have a genius, ladies and gentlemen'

21 minutes ago

Couple finds abandoned newborn with her umbilical chord attached after noticing a blanket with two little feet moving

21 minutes ago

Julie Theobald dies suddenly from common illness - leaving behind 13 children

22 minutes ago

The world's best footballer with France on his shoulders, his mother on his back and a string of supermodels on his arm: Now Kylian Mbappe wants to follow in Cristiano Ronaldo's path in the Euros and at Real Madrid

22 minutes ago

Shocking new video shows one of the FIVE times a terrified calf was brutally mown down by police before it was left wounded in a park for 'two hours' amid claims cops were 'radioing for armed response to shoot it' - with one officer suspended amid backlash

22 minutes ago

Fans left heartbroken for Rory McIlroy after 'biggest choke in history of golf' in final US Open round: 'I don't know how he can recover from this'

22 minutes ago

Gogglebox star shares baby joy as they welcome a new addition to the family in sweet snaps

22 minutes ago

Dani Dyer embraces boyfriend Jarrod Bowen as she supports the England star at their Euros opening match against Serbia

22 minutes ago

Kym Marsh reveals the poignant meaning behind the item she placed inside her late father David's coffin after his death from prostate cancer

23 minutes ago

Former infielder, coach Mike Brumley killed in crash at 61

23 minutes ago

Jay-Z joins Alicia Keys for surprise Tony Awards performance brining the crowd to its feet

23 minutes ago

NDP 2024 packs designed by 40 students from 22 special needs schools

23 minutes ago

Assessing Trump’s and Biden’s Claims About Immigration and Border Security

23 minutes ago

England have stumbled across their best XI – Harry Brook must bat higher up order

23 minutes ago

Fourteen people due in court as part of Garda crackdown on crime in Dublin

26 minutes ago

Houston woman admits she filed over $500,000 in fraudulent disaster relief loans

30 minutes ago

Karl Stefanovic's daughter Willow's boyfriend is revealed as 'wealthy' Argentinian athlete who is 'head over heels' for the 19-year-old: 'She is living the high life'

30 minutes ago

Malaysia is emerging as a data center powerhouse amid booming demand from AI

30 minutes ago

Fears 'suicide drones' used in Ukraine may be used in UK terror attacks

30 minutes ago

White House, Obama teams dispute characterization of fundraiser video

30 minutes ago

Singapore’s 'shophouses' are catching the eye of the rich, with some forking out tens of millions

31 minutes ago

LinkedIn Adds Generative AI Job-Hunting Tools for Premium Members

31 minutes ago

Anthony Albanese's Resolve poll result could prove the death knell for his leadership: PETER VAN ONSELEN on why PM will be very worried today

31 minutes ago

Watch cringeworthy moment reporter interrogates pro-life Colo. pol over paying for girlfriend’s abortion

31 minutes ago

Video captures tourists narrowly escaping herd of charging bison after getting too close: 'The ignorance … never ceases to amaze'

31 minutes ago

Ariana DeBose kicks off 2024 Tony Awards and Alicia Keys and Jay-Z belt love letter to New York

31 minutes ago

Gretchen Walsh makes Olympic team one night after shattering world record

31 minutes ago

Global audiences suspicious of AI-powered newsrooms

31 minutes ago

GWM Haval Jolion Pro: New small hybrid SUV teased

31 minutes ago

Keep the outdoor fun going at Swan Valley Adventure Centre this winter school holidays

31 minutes ago

The world doesn't get to tell Israel how it can rescue its hostages

31 minutes ago

Lilia Vu’s outstanding putting edges her past Lexi Thompson in epic LPGA playoff

31 minutes ago

Serbia star takes aim at England and points out huge weakness after Euro 2024 clash

31 minutes ago

Prime Minister is 'all talk, no action' regarding China: Liberal Senator

31 minutes ago

'Kohli, Rohit, the way they are batting...': Jaffer passes huge verdict on India's batting woes ahead of T20 WC Super 8s

31 minutes ago

'If it walks like a duck': Sotomayor offers blistering dissent on bump stock ruling

31 minutes ago

Aussie‘s stunning knock for adopted country

31 minutes ago

South Africa: Zuma's MK party to join opposition alliance