Sprinter Cargo Van

Segment
Van

The next generation of the Mercedes-Benz eSprinter van will not launch in late 2026 as originally planned and will instead see a summer 2028 debut. The news comes from Automotive News on the heels of the reveal of the 2023 eSprinter (pictured), a heavily modified version of the Sprinter Cargo Van. The next-gen eSprinter, however, will utilize a new modular platform called VAN.EA. It's being designed and engineered to accommodate medium and large fully electrified commercial vans.

The upcoming EQV passenger van might ride on this platform as well. Mercedes declined to comment on the report regarding the next van's two-year delay, but an anonymous source familiar with the German automaker's plans claims this is the situation.

Assuming this is the case, the EV van's new production start date is now the first quarter of 2028 instead of May 2026. Additional production of the eSprinter at a new facility in Poland is now being pushed to the summer of 2027 instead of late 2026. This production plant was initially scheduled to build two versions of the van, one riding on the VAN.EA architecture. The second would have been a Mercedes-branded EV van based on the Rivian Light Van platform.

However, Rivian recently paused its partnership with Mercedes to refocus its efforts on ramping up US market production of the R1T and R1S. Mercedes now aims to build the Polish plant on its own. The commercial EV van market is expected to expand significantly in the coming years.

Rivian's 100,000-unit EV van deal with Amazon is just one example. For now, the 2024 Mercedes eSprinter will directly face off against the Ford E-Transit. The eSprinter boasts a 113-kWh battery that delivers up to 311-mile range on a single charge on the WLTP city cycle. Commercial vans are not tested by the EPA.

A new Mercedes eATS powertrain provides propulsion with a permanent magnet synchronous motor located at the rear axle. Total output comes to either 134 or 201 horsepower with up to 295 lb-ft of twist. The E-Transit, meanwhile, is equipped with a 57 kWh battery pack, a 266-hp and 317-lb-ft powertrain, and a 126-mile range.