Mercedes-Benz Vans plans to offer all its commercial van model lines with electric drive. This will start with the mid-size eVito in the second half of 2018. Further model ranges will follow, starting in 2019. The leading van manufacturer presented its holistic electric drive strategy at the eDrive@VANs workshop in Berlin. The focus was not just on the electric van itself, but also on a technological ecosystem tailored specifically to customers’ business needs.

The Mercedes-Benz Vans electric mobility strategy is based on five cornerstones – a holistic ecosystem, sector focus, commercial feasibility, co-creation and technology transfer:

1. Holistic ecosystem augments vehicle development
2. High level of sector expertise for precisely the right product fit
3. Focus on commercial feasibility and low TCO
4. Customer co-creation a new focal point of development
5. Expertise and technology transfer from the Daimler Group

This strategy delivers an innovative total-system solution covering the entire value chain of commercial usage. In order to meet this goal, customer co-creation plays a central role in product development, integrating the strategic partner and their sector expertise into the development process. The new eVito is the first production vehicle to have been developed using this strategic approach.

“We are convinced by the necessity of electric drive in our vans, especially in city centre applications. That said, electrification of the commercial fleet is not an end in itself, but follows the same principles as a classic drive when it comes to commercial feasibility. With our eDrive@VANs initiative, we’re showing that only holistic mobility solutions extending beyond the drive itself present a real alternative for commercial customers. The eVito is the starting point and will be followed by our new-generation Sprinter as well as the Citan”, says Volker Mornhinweg, Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans.

Credit: Mercedes-Benz Vans