Mercedes-Benz Vans has consistently been at the forefront of electric innovation in the Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) sector, starting with the Vito E-CELL in 2010. Today, in 2023, Mercedes-Benz Vans offers a fully comprehensive range of electric vehicles across all van segments, from compact to large. This commitment underscores their ambitious goal: to have electric vehicles constitute over 50% of both their private and commercial model portfolio by 2030. Looking ahead, all newly developed Mercedes-Benz vans will be built upon VAN.EA, a groundbreaking, modular electric architecture. This platform is the cornerstone of Mercedes-Benz’s ambition to spearhead electric drive technology in the van industry. VAN.EA will underpin all future midsize and large vans, catering to both commercial needs as versatile premium vehicles and private demands for luxury van experiences. The core philosophy behind VAN.EA is to deliver exceptional value and cater to the diverse needs of Mercedes-Benz Vans customers. Engineered from the ground up as a dedicated Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) platform, VAN.EA prioritizes both efficiency and performance. The platform’s introduction in 2026 marks a crucial step towards achieving Mercedes-Benz Vans’ Ambition 2039 goals – a commitment to a net carbon-neutral new vehicle fleet.
Setting New Standards: The All-Electric eSprinter
The current Mercedes-Benz eSprinter stands out as the most adaptable and efficient electric van in the Mercedes-Benz lineup. Its real-world capabilities were impressively demonstrated in October 2022 during an express delivery test drive from Stuttgart to Munich and back – all on a single charge. Building on this success, the new eSprinter recently completed another remarkable test in the U.S. A pre-production model, equipped with a 113 kWh battery, successfully navigated the challenging 275-mile (443 kilometers) route from Las Vegas, NV, to the Mercedes-Benz Tech Center in Long Beach, CA, without needing to recharge. This feat further solidifies the eSprinter’s position as a leader in electric van performance and range.
Expanding Charging Infrastructure and Digital Services
Mercedes-Benz Vans is not only focused on vehicle technology but also on building a comprehensive ecosystem for electric van users. Commercial van customers will benefit from full access to the brand-new Mercedes-Benz High-Power Charging network, in addition to the already extensive and growing IONITY network. The Mercedes-Benz High-Power Charging network is planned to expand significantly to include up to 10,000 high-power chargers worldwide by the end of the decade. Furthermore, starting with the new eSprinter, Mercedes-Benz Vans will offer the digital service Mercedes me Charge for B2B customers. This service provides access to over 300,000 charging points across Europe, forming one of the largest public charging networks. Mercedes me Charge ensures that customers can charge their Mercedes-Benz vans conveniently and effortlessly across the continent.
Leading the Way in Digital Van Technology
Mercedes-Benz Vans has a proven track record in developing advanced vehicle software and digital features. Currently, they offer around 30 digital extras through the Mercedes me app and store, with plans for rapid expansion and optimization of this digital portfolio. Their digital strategy is structured around a three-layer approach to generate software-driven revenue and enhance the customer experience.
The first layer focuses on vehicle-related functions. This includes features like specialized navigation systems designed for larger vehicles such as camper vans, which require routing that considers road restrictions for oversized vehicles.
The second layer provides customer-specific digital extras, powered by the in-house developed Onboard Logic Unit (OLU). The OLU enables seamless integration of Mercedes-Benz Vans products into a company’s existing digital infrastructure. A prime example is the intelligent charging and load management system co-developed with DPDHL. This solution, based on the OLU, allows DPDHL to integrate Mercedes-Benz electric vans into their enterprise system for optimized fleet-wide charging.
Looking to the future, the third layer will broaden Mercedes-Benz Vans’ digital offerings with a range of commodity services and third-party applications. These will be integrated into the MB.OS operating system, which will be a core component of all VAN.EA-based vehicles starting in 2026.
The Future is Digital: MB.OS and Autonomous Driving
Mercedes-Benz is actively developing MB.OS, their proprietary operating system. This flexible, modular, and service-based architecture, spanning from chip to cloud, is specifically designed for B2B software solutions. MB.OS will empower Mercedes-Benz Vans to accelerate the expansion and refinement of its digital extras and services, enabling even more tailored commercial applications for their customers. For the first time, Mercedes-Benz Vans will offer a comprehensive selection of both new and existing third-party apps relevant to commercial customers and key industries.
MB.OS will also serve as the foundation for significantly faster and more extensive Over-the-Air (OTA) update capabilities compared to current systems. Furthermore, it will pave the way for the development of advanced automated driving functionalities, starting from SAE Level 2 and beyond. Mercedes-Benz aims to achieve SAE Level 3 autonomous driving for private customers by the end of the decade, leveraging MB.OS and its technological capabilities. With the launch of VAN.EA-based vehicles, SAE Level 2 capabilities will be available. For the commercial sector, the ambition is to realize SAE Level 4 autonomous driving by the end of the decade, tapping into the considerable business potential of driverless transportation with Mercedes-Benz Vans.
In conclusion, Mercedes-Benz Vans is strategically positioned to lead the electric revolution in the van market. Through cutting-edge platforms like VAN.EA, high-performing vehicles like the eSprinter, expanding charging infrastructure, and a robust digital strategy powered by MB.OS, Mercedes-Benz Vans is not just building electric vehicles; they are shaping the future of electric mobility for both businesses and individuals.
