Mercedes-Benz has finally announced prices and specifications for its eVito electric van, which will be available in both cargo and people mover formats to cover a wide range of applications.
We say finally because there just aren’t many electric van options in the new van market.
The eVito van starts at $89,353 pre-legal for the panel van and $116,115 in an eight-seat configuration, and precedes a second electric van due later in 2022 from Mercedes-Benz: the seven-seat luxury van EQV.
While the German automaker’s Australian arm is referring to the EQV as a “major” upcoming model, we’ll have to wait a bit longer to find out more details about it.
In the meantime, interest in the eVito should be great. In terms of competition, there aren’t many and the specs for the eVito will no doubt appeal to fleet operators.
There’s Renault’s short-range Kangoo ZE, but it doesn’t have DC fast charging capability. It offers roughly the same range as the eVito (270 km), which corresponds to a real range of around 200 km.
There are some other options out there, like gray imports (we saw a Peugeot eExport at an EV show in north NSW in mid-September) and some low-volume imports like the Skywell EC11, but that’s about it.
Mid-term, Ford Australia has confirmed that the E-Transit Custom all-electric van will arrive in local showrooms by the end of next year.
Mercedes-Benz eVito Van specifications
The eVito panel van arrives in Australia with a 60kWh battery offering a range of 262km (NEDC), a little less than 200km in real world conditions.
That might not sound like much, but the van with an 85 kW motor is suitable for urban and inner-city delivery fleets. Since it can be charged with DC with a peak of 80 kW, it can be charged from 10 to 80% in about 35 minutes during a lunch break. With AC it can be charged with a maximum power of 11 kW, so it can be recharged in about 6.5 hours.
Drivers can customize regenerative braking to suit their preferences: D-acceleration reduces manual braking and recovers most energy in traffic. There are four more options up to D++, which recovers little energy and brakes the least. In DAuto mode, the vehicle uses a Rada sensor to adapt to traffic requirements.
Up front, the driver and a passenger can listen to music via Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Drivers will also surely appreciate rear-view cameras with three viewing options and dynamic steering lines, as well as the 7-inch touchscreen with voice control.
A leather steering wheel also houses functions and is adjustable in two dimensions, while several storage options are available in the center console, in the glasses compartment and in cup holders.
Drivers will also benefit from a range of safety features from Active Cruise Control and Blind Spot Assist with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Keep Assist, Active Brake Assist, Active Park Assist, High Beam Assist and Hill Start Assist; and crosswind assistant. Other driver aids include rollover mitigation, load adaptive control, enhanced understeer control and acceleration skid control.
Heated side mirrors prevent fogging on cold and wet days, and tinted windows reduce glare and provide privacy.
Finally, there are also front and rear parking sensors, front, thorax and window airbags, automatic headlights and wipers with a rain sensor, daytime running lights and an acoustic sound generator front and rear.
At the rear there is 6 cubic meters of space for a maximum payload of 882 kg (GVM 3.2 tons). The load compartment, which is accessed via two sliding doors, is 2,398 mm long, 1,392 mm high and 1,709 mm wide excluding wheel arches.
Mercedes-Benz eVito Tourer specifications
Originally called the Valente in its ICE format, the eVito Tourer has all the features and details of the van, but with six rear seats.
It gets a larger 90kWh battery and with it a lot more range too: rated for 421km NEDC, expect around 300km or less depending on the number of passengers and luggage.
To meet the needs of the larger battery, the DC charging rate is also higher. With 110 kW, the eVito Tourer can be charged from 10 to 80% in 45 minutes. For an AC charger, the 11kW charge rate means it can be charged overnight in 10 hours.
It also gets a more powerful motor – 150kW – delivering 365Nm of torque to make it an attractive option for shuttle bus operators and the like.
Mercedes-Benz anticipates that the eVito Tourer will be in high demand from a wide range of businesses, including airport transfer services and local councils, looking to maximize their profit margins by reducing recurring operating costs.
At the same time, fleet operators will be able to achieve sustainability goals and reduce the environmental impact of their fleet.
In addition to the same safety features as the eVito Van, the People Mover also has ISOfix attachment points. Second and third rows have two seats, with a folding outer seat to allow flexibility depending on space requirements. The seats are black leatherette and sit on rails for quick adjustments.
On the outside, of course, there are side windows for the passengers instead of the paneling of the van, and on the inside, air conditioning with a pre-entry function ensures passenger comfort.
Bridie Schmidt is Associate Editor of The Driven, Renew Economy’s sister site. She has been writing about electric vehicles since 2018 and has a keen interest in the role zero-emission transport must play in sustainability. She has participated in podcasts such as Download This Show with Marc Fennell and Shirtloads of Science with Karl Kruszelnicki and is a co-organizer of the Northern Rivers Electric Vehicle Forum. Bridie also owns a Tesla Model Y and offers it for rent on evee.com.au.
