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By Jonathan Crouch

Mercedes has redefined state-of-the-art technology in the sector for large full-electric vans with this revitalised eSprinter. Jonathan Crouch reports

Ten Second Reviewword count: 84

Mercedes has invested around 350 million euros into fundamentally improving its largest EV van, the eSprinter. Though visual changes are slight, the engineering updates are far-reaching, including a switch to rear wheel drive and a new range of batteries, the largest of which can take this LCV nearly twice as far as its predecessor. In one giant leap, the Three-Pointed Star is back at the top of the class for large EV vans. Whether you could justify the cost of one is another question.

Backgroundword count: 173

Manufacturers of large electric vans in Europe are in a quandary. They've been mandated under Euro 7 regulations to switch to full-electric drivetrains. But demand is way behind the aspirations of the politicians and it's clear that alongside EV-powered vans, they will also have to be producing diesel-powered ones for some time yet. With the eSprinter, their largest electric van, Mercedes' response to this has been in two parts. The original model, launched in 2020 with a feeble 95 mile range from its 55kWh battery and limited body options, clearly wasn't cutting it. Hence the far-reaching update we look at here, providing a top 113kWh battery that'll more than double that range. Everything's changed here: in fact, Mercedes claims the only carry-over component from the original eSprinter is the charging port on the grille. And everything will change again from 2025 onwards when an all-new generation of Sprinter arrives based on the brand's van.ea architecture. That's for the future, but let's look at what this far-reaching first eSprinter update means for right now.

Driving Experienceword count: 224

Engineering changes don't get much more fundamental than this. The eSprinter has switched from front to rear wheel drive, with the drivetrain now part of a new modular set-up. At the back, there's a completely new rear axle containing an electric motor putting out either 136PS or 204PS, depending on your preference. The vehicle's high voltage components and control systems now lie in the front portion of this van. While the battery packs sit in the middle under the floor and are now made of lithium-ion-phosphate and contain no nickel or cobalt. In place of the original model's old-tech 55kWh pack, there's now a choice of two available batteries: an entry-level 81kWh option and the top 113kWh battery that can take this Mercedes as far as 271 miles. Both motors put out a gutsy 400Nm of torque, one reason why the eSprinter can pull a 2,000kg trailer. And each motor weighs only around 130kgs and is characterised by particularly high efficiency and optimised thermal management.  Three driving programmes: Maximum Range, Economic and Comfort, control engine power, engine torque and climate control, while regenerative braking, which converts kinetic energy into electrical energy, also helps to maximize range. Features such as HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) with a heat pump, heated seats and active thermal management also help to optimise real-world range all year round.

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