On one platform for all commercial vehicles
The commercial vehicle division of Mercedes-Benz is developing a new, scalable platform for medium-sized and large electric vans. Based on this, the brand will introduce (luxury) passenger versions, campers, regular commercial vehicles and a van specially designed for parcel deliverers in the future.
Under the name “VAN.EA”, the commercial vehicle division of Mercedes-Benz is presenting its new platform for medium-sized and large electric commercial vehicles to the world, where “EA” stands for “electric architecture”. It is expected that the next generations of electric Vito and V-class and also the next electric Sprinter will be on that platform. The first van on VAN.EA will see the light of day in 2026. The architecture is scalable, which means that it is the same for both smaller and larger vans.
Mercedes sees a lot of potential in the market for ‘premium’ vans in the United States and wants to compete with the suppliers of luxury passenger transport in the Chinese market. Expect a V-class-like with sufficient space and comfort for occupants and a driving range of ‘more than 500 km’, according to Mercedes-Benz. With a ‘large company car’, the brand may be referring to a successor to the recently updated eSprinter. Expected ranges for the intended other products are not yet specified by the brand.
Especially for parcel deliverers
But it is clear that there is more to come. In the image above this article, Mercedes sketches three models, with the left one resembling ‘the new Sprinter’ and the right one resembling ‘the new Vito’. However, the middle copy is difficult to compare, and could therefore just be the van for parcel deliverers that the Germans mention in their press release. Mercedes-Benz speaks of a growth of 6 to 8 percent per year in the parcel delivery industry and wants to respond to this by dedicated to develop a delivery van, based on the VAN.EA architecture, which has been specially designed for parcel deliverers ‘in the higher segment’. We expect a van in the spirit of Rivian’s bus for Amazon.
Finally, Mercedes will also supply electric motorhomes ex-factory, in medium and large format. All in all, the plans should lead to an EV share of Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles of 20 percent of sales in 2026, and 50 percent of sales in 2030.
.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl