Mercedes is bringing a luxurious mid-size electrical van to US

Mercedes-Benz will add a luxurious mid-size electrical van to its U.S. lineup, the automaker stated on Tuesday.

Mercedes’ native lineup at present has two vans within the type of the mid-size Metris and full-size Sprinter, although each are stripped-out industrial choices. The posh van can be geared toward non-public patrons, resembling massive households, tenting followers, and probably even RV patrons.

The van can be primarily based on a brand new devoted EV platform being developed to underpin all future vans at Mercedes. Dubbed Van.EA, the platform is scheduled to spawn its first mannequin in 2026. Timing for any Van.EA merchandise within the U.S., together with the posh van, hasn’t been introduced.

The Van.EA platform contains a three-module design that permits it to be simply tailored to numerous automobile sizes. A entrance module homes high-voltage energy management {hardware} and an electrical motor, and is widespread to all autos primarily based on the platform. A middle module obtainable in numerous lengths and becoming numerous battery configurations determines the dimensions of the autos primarily based on the platform. A rear module incorporates the rear axle, both with a motor for all-wheel drive or with out for front-wheel drive.

Subsequent-generation Mercedes-Benz eSprinter

An early model of this idea is discovered within the platform of the 2024 eSprinter full-size electrical van that begins gross sales within the U.S. within the second half of 2023.

For the posh van, patrons can count on comparable options to what Mercedes gives in its luxurious vehicles and SUVs. This may embody automated self-driving know-how, as much as Stage 3 on the SAE scale of self-driving functionality.

Mercedes has already had some success within the U.S. with van gross sales. The automaker stated it doubled its U.S. van market share from 8% in 2018 to 16% in 2022. Mercedes additionally stated it goals to have electrical vans account for 20% of its whole van gross sales by 2026 and 50% by 2030.

Earlier than the posh van arrives, Mercedes will replace its present mid-size van line, which incorporates the Metris and a luxurious possibility generally known as the V-Class that is bought abroad and contains an EQV electrical variant. The replace of the present mid-size van line is scheduled for this summer season. It is rumored the Metris can be dropped from Mercedes’ U.S. lineup following the introduction of the replace.