Mercedes-Benz is gearing up to unveil its new electric van next spring, leveraging its dedicated VAN.EA electric vehicle platform. The German luxury automaker has been teasing its upcoming family of electric vans, recently showcasing a showcar that hints at the ‘luxurious, elegant, and spacious limousine’ in van format.
Key Features of the VAN.EA Platform
The VAN.EA platform is a significant development for Mercedes-Benz, offering a scalable and modular architecture designed specifically for electric vehicles. This platform will support a range of configurations, from high-end family vehicles and exclusive VIP shuttles to spacious limousines. By using this dedicated EV platform, Mercedes aims to enhance the packaging and capabilities of its electric vans, avoiding the compromises typically associated with converting gas-powered vehicles to electric.
Technical Specifications and Variants
The new electric vans will be available in front- and all-wheel-drive configurations, corresponding to single- and dual-motor setups, respectively. The VAN.EA platform will underpin all of Mercedes’ future midsize to large vans for both personal and commercial use. Interestingly, the company plans to reduce the number of variants it offers compared to its existing combustion engine vans, without compromising on market segments.
The platform’s modular design includes a shared front module with an electric motor and axle, different center modules enabling various vehicle lengths and battery sizes, and a rear module containing an electric motor for all-wheel-drive models. This architecture will spawn two derivatives: VAN.EA-P for private vans and VAN.EA-C for commercial vans.
Performance and Autonomous Driving Capabilities
Models based on the VAN.EA-P platform are expected to offer ‘well over’ 311 miles (500 kilometers) of range and will feature SAE Level 2 automated driving capabilities at launch. Level 3 autonomous driving is slated for implementation by the end of the decade. In contrast, the VAN.EA-C architecture, designed for commercial vans, will receive Level 4 technology by 2030, although specific range figures have not been disclosed.
Market Expansion and Future Plans
Beyond Europe, Mercedes intends to market VAN.EA-based models in the United States, where a midsize luxury van is on the horizon. The company also plans to introduce midsize and large camper vans, though it’s unclear whether these will be available in North America. With the new VAN.EA platform, Mercedes’ Vans division aims for electric vehicles to account for more than 50% of its annual sales within the next five years.
As Mercedes-Benz continues to push forward with its electric vehicle initiatives, the upcoming electric van on the VAN.EA platform represents a significant step in the company’s electrification strategy, promising enhanced luxury, performance, and technology for both personal and commercial applications.
