Mercedes Sprinter EV van set for Oz

Next-generation workhorse van to get electric drive in 2018 – beating Mercedes’ regular passenger cars to the punch

The first all-electric Mercedes-Benz vehicle to be sold in Australia could be a commercial van and a really big one at that – the Sprinter.

Mercedes-Benz has previously confirmed it will debut its first-ever all-electric van in 2018, finally laying the general public's stereotype of loud, smelly, sooty commercial offerings to rest.

Expected to be inspired by the futuristic Mercedes-Benz Vision Van concept (pictured) that broke cover at the 2016 Paris motor show, the Sprinter EV will no doubt become an attractive proposition for fleets.

The boss of Mercedes-Benz Vans Australia, Diane Tarr, indicated that strong interest from Aussie fleet buyers means the Sprinter EV van is almost certain to be sold here.

"We've already got strong interest from a lot of fleet customers in EVs, and we're working with them in terms of what their requirements will be and we'll certainly look at it," said Tarr.

With the Mercedes-Benz passenger car division confirming it will sell its first EV in Australia under the 'EQ' banner from around 2019, a mid-sized SUV costing around $90,000, it is possible the Sprinter could beat it to market and trump it on price.

"From what we understand it will be the Sprinter," she said.

That said, Mercedes-Benz Vans sources in Europe revealed that the company's first electric van will command a premium of Euro 10,000 to 20,000 over regular models, suggesting that it could indeed cost close to $90,000 when it arrives here.

When put to Tarr, she responded: "I can't comment on what that price point or price difference will be."

Nevertheless, silent, fossil-fuel-free electric propulsion in a delivery van holds significant appeal for several fleet buyers in Australasia, who are serious about reducing their carbon footprint by adopting EV fleets.

"There's a lot [of interest]. Australia Post Star Track is a very keen adopter of EVs and THR, one of our big customers in the tourism space, is also looking at electric vehicles," Tarr said.

"Even for example in New Zealand; Air New Zealand as part of their whole tender process were looking for EVs to be part of their line-up and whoever could supply that had an advantage."

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is a large van that's been doing the rounds for a decade; the last all-new model was introduced back in 2006, and is soon to be replaced with a newer, better, safer and EV-ready version.

Facelifted in 2013 with upgraded safety features along with cosmetic and powertrain upgrades, the Sprinter will be superseded in 2018, riding on an all-new platform that, naturally, will cater for an electric powertrain – and with the potential for some very cool upgrades. The company is already investigating the idea of the Sprinter becoming a "drone mothership" for automated micro deliveries.

While Aussie passenger car buyers have shunned electric cars, it seems that commercial vehicles could be the catalyst for EV adoption and could spur EV infrastructure, such as more fast-charge points in public places.

"It's going to be strongly driven by our customers and their demand for it," said Tarr of the EV van.

"A lot of them have come to us and said, "Great to hear; we'd love to be beta or pilots for you guys" in the New Zealand Australia space."

Never having to visit a petrol station is one of the key benefits of an EV van but Mercedes experts say packaging advantages arise too, with more cargo space available.

It's not clear which Sprinter models will be offered with the EV drivetrain in Australia or, crucially, what their cruising range will be, but the MB Australia Vans chief said customers will be heavily involved.

"We haven't explored fully all those specifications and what would suit our market," she said.

"And part of that would be involvement with our particular customers who are early adopters of electric vans to understand exactly what their specifications or requirements would be."

With interest in electric commercial vehicles heating up, it's only a matter of time before other major manufacturers jump on the band wagon. Or maybe that should be band van?

Mercedes Sprinter EV van set for Oz

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