Automotive

Mercedes continues drive toward range-wide electric drivetrain options with new eVito

Mercedes continues drive toward range-wide electric drivetrain options with new eVito
Mercedes is ditching fossil-fuels for electricity in its 2018 all-electric eVito
Mercedes is ditching fossil-fuels for electricity in its 2018 all-electric eVito
View 6 Images
Mercedes is initially restricting eVito pre-orders to Germany with the first 1,000 customers receiving a complimentary Wallbox charging system
1/6
Mercedes is initially restricting eVito pre-orders to Germany with the first 1,000 customers receiving a complimentary Wallbox charging system
Mercedes is ditching fossil-fuels for electricity in its 2018 all-electric eVito
2/6
Mercedes is ditching fossil-fuels for electricity in its 2018 all-electric eVito
The eVito's performance is on-par with its 1.6 liter four-cylinder diesel counterpart with 113 hp (84 kW) and 222 lb-ft (300 Nm) of torque
3/6
The eVito's performance is on-par with its 1.6 liter four-cylinder diesel counterpart with 113 hp (84 kW) and 222 lb-ft (300 Nm) of torque
Mercedes is planning to offer fully-electric versions of all its commercial van models that include the Vito, Sprinter and Citan
4/6
Mercedes is planning to offer fully-electric versions of all its commercial van models that include the Vito, Sprinter and Citan
The starting price for the new eVito is €39,990
5/6
The starting price for the new eVito is €39,990
Despite its switch to electricity, the eVito still has a respectable 1,073 kg payload capacity and a 6.6-m3 (234-cu ft) maximum load volume
6/6
Despite its switch to electricity, the eVito still has a respectable 1,073 kg payload capacity and a 6.6-m3 (234-cu ft) maximum load volume
View gallery - 6 images

Mercedes has been electrifying its commercial Vito since 2010 with the Mercedes Vito E-cell. As part of its push to offer fully electric versions of its entire commercial van line-up, Mercedes is now taking orders for the 2018 eVito. Mercedes claims that the fully-electric mid-size commercial van provides the same performance as its diesel counterpart, but with lower long-term running costs.

The new eVito is powered by an 41.4-kWh fully-electric drivetrain generating 113 hp (84 kW) and 222 lb-ft (300 Nm) of torque, which is similar in performance to the 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine offered in the diesel Vito.

With a maximum 1,073-kg (2,366-lb) payload capacity, 6.6-m3 (234-cu ft) maximum load volume and 3,200 kg (7,055 lb) gross vehicle weight, Mercedes is claiming the a full charge will deliver a range of 150 km (94 mi) unladen and 100 km (63 mi) when carrying a full load or driven in unfavorable driving conditions. Said recharging will take up to around six hours.

If you're a speed-demon and range is not a concern, the top-speed is 120 km/h (75 mph), but if you're driving within city limits, the speed limit can be capped at 50 mph (80 km/h). At launch Mercedes is offering two wheelbase options: the long-wheelbase option that measures 5,140 mm (16.8 ft) and the extra-long wheelbase option that measures in at 5,370 mm (17.6 ft).

The starting price for the new eVito is €39,990
The starting price for the new eVito is €39,990

With the figures that Mercedes is claiming, it seems that the only compromise in the switch to electricity is a small difference in drivetrain performance. The functional parts of the van, such as the load volume and payload capacity, remain relatively unchanged from its dinosaur-drinking twin.

As part of its push to use electric drivetrains, Mercedes is offering its commercial customers advice on creating intelligent charging infrastructure on company premises, a smartphone app that will help monitor driving behavior and running costs, as well as a driving program to help customers squeeze as much range out of their van as possible.

Mercedes is initially restricting pre-orders to Germany, with the first 1,000 customers receiving a complimentary Wallbox charging system as part of the €39,990 (US$47,000) starting price. Mercedes is claiming that the higher purchase price is offset by electric vehicle benefits, such as lower emissions, lower maintenance and government subsidies.

The eVito's Europe-wide launch is set for the second half of 2018, and Mercedes is planning to launch an all-electric commercial Sprinter in 2019, followed by a new Citan.

Source: Daimler

View gallery - 6 images
2 comments
2 comments
Benji
If it was a hybrid would it be deVito?
YouAre
It's about a quarter more expensive than Bolt (incentives excluded), yet the battery is just two thirds of the Bolt's one. Why would MB be afraid to lose money even on early experiments? Devoted funbase? Greedy shareholders?