If your company can establish a charging station, the electric Sprinter has many benefits.
Mercedes-Benz has been in the van business since 1896, just a few years after the first gasoline-powered car was invented. The company identifies itself as the creator of the “world's first work van,” and for nearly 130 years, people have used those vans to transport goods, people, and their personal items. Now, for the first time, Mercedes’ van division has introduced a fully electric option: the eSprinter.
I recently test-drove the eSprinter. Before that, I had a 710-horsepower Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat on loan, and I drove the Hellcat to a video shoot with a large production crew I was meeting for the first time. Once I unloaded the Hellcat, the fleet that swaps out my review cars arrived in a large, tan Mercedes eSprinter. The Hellcat's ear-shaking engine roar had been replaced by a quiet electric van the size of a house, leaving everyone bewildered.
I opted for the "cargo van" version, which features two front seats and a spacious rear compartment for hauling. Upon opening the rear of the eSprinter, I was surprised to see a large wooden crate and experienced a moment of alarm, thinking that a critical item had been left behind. I carefully opened the crate with tools, checking to ensure that its contents were both legal and safe, and was relieved to discover that it was simply a box filled with rocks.
The person who owned the Mercedes (or someone) placed rocks inside the eSprinter to give it a full load, so it would handle better while driving. Unfortunately, I wasn't informed about this, and I burst out laughing when I found out.
The eSprinter comes in two versions: "standard output" and "high output". The standard model delivers 134 horsepower, while the high output model gives 201. The eSprinter has 295 pound-feet of torque, with power sent to the rear wheels.
I've driven the car for hundreds of miles and my two main observations are: Public charging is too costly considering its limited range (I paid $64 for a 90% charge and 172 miles of range), but for individuals who work in the city and have access to private charging, it's almost ideal. It offers all the features of a standard work van, combined with the benefits of an electric model, such as regenerative braking and the ability to stay cool or warm without releasing exhaust fumes. However, the main drawbacks are poor visibility and, despite regenerative braking, I was unable to achieve true one-pedal driving.
The Mercedes-Benz eSprinter demonstrates the effectiveness and practicality of electric work vans in urban environments. If you're interested in learning more about the van and experiencing it firsthand, please view the video at the top of this article.
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- The 2025 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter is now available with a smaller battery option at a lower price.
- 2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter First Drive Review: Electric Vans Are the Future
- The 2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter has a starting price of $74,181 with a 113-kWh battery.
- Ford's new electric E-Transit model will have the same price as its gasoline-powered equivalent in 2025.