Mercedes-Benz is making ready its next-generation electrical vans for his or her scheduled arrival in 2026.
Not like the present eSprinter, these vans shall be based mostly on a brand new platform known as Van.EA designed particularly for EVs. Certainly one of these vans, regarded as the next-generation V-Class midsize passenger mannequin, was noticed testing earlier this 12 months, however Mercedes has now launched its personal images of camouflaged prototypes.
The Van.EA platform encompasses a three-module design that enables it to be simply tailored to varied car sizes. Mercedes has additionally confirmed that preliminary fashions based mostly on this platform will characteristic single-motor front-wheel drive and dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrains.
Mercedes-Benz Van.EA prototypes by way of Mercedes-Benz
Prototypes made a check run from Mercedes’ hometown of Stuttgart, Germany, to Norway’s North Cape in June of this 12 months, Mercedes mentioned. Subsequent they’re going to be despatched to Sweden for winter testing.
All Mercedes vans launched after 2026 shall be based mostly on the Van.EA platform. That can embody a mid-size luxurious van for the U.S., which Mercedes confirmed final 12 months. That mannequin, possible an equal to the present V-Class, shall be a primary for this market. The one mid-size van Mercedes has provided within the U.S. is the de-contented Metris, which was aimed aimed primarily at business fleets, slightly than the person homeowners this van will goal.
The Van.EA is one in every of a collection of new platforms being launched by Mercedes concentrating on totally different market segments. The automaker can even deploy a platform known as MMA for its next-generation compact vary, the MB.EA platform for medium and huge passenger vehicles, and AMG.EA platform for future AMG efficiency fashions.