The Mercedes eSprinter: The Best Benz Electric Vehicle, Period
I’ll always remember the day my daughter proclaimed her love for vans. We were on our way to camp orientation, and the look on her face was so serious that I braced myself. In a voice that seemed carefully considered, she said, “I don’t care if it’s next week, next month, or even ten years from now. I want you to get another big van.” My daughter has spent her life with a dad who occasionally picks her up in a different vehicle. She’s never reacted so strongly to a vehicle as she did to the soft blue 2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter high-roof electric cargo van.
And you know what? I’m with her. This van is fantastic.
The Basics
- As-Tested Price: $75,316
- Battery: 113kWh usable capacity lithium-ion
- Drive: Single-motor, rear-wheel-drive
- Horsepower: 201 hp
- Torque: 295 lb.-ft.
- WLTP Range: 273 miles
- DC Fast Charging: 115 kW
- Curb Weight: 6,746 lbs
Why Does It Exist?
Mercedes-Benz is often considered a luxury brand in the United States. But in Europe and other parts of the world, Mercedes operates as a full-line automaker. The large Mercedes van wasn’t sold here until 2002. Initially, it was badged as a Freightliner, then as a Dodge product. Eventually, the Sprinter became solely a Mercedes product in North America.
These vans offer superior layouts compared to traditional American vans, providing greater efficiency, comfort, and space. Mercedes has prioritized expanding its electric vehicle line, with a cargo van, especially for local deliveries, representing a great use case.
Why Did I Have This?
I’m active in my local Lutheran Church and have been on our church council, which entails helping out during the summer months. We needed to transport our giant outdoor grill, coolers of drinks (Twisted Tea is a must), etc., to a local park, just to get together and enjoy some food.
Knowing there was an eSprinter in the fleet, I volunteered to move everything. I didn’t expect how much fun it would be to cruise around with my daughter.
I wasn’t sure if my daughter would be able to ride with me because the cargo van has no backseat. After studying the owner’s manual and checking safety advice, I realized her height would work perfectly. She was ecstatic. I was, too. There’s a special bond that happens when your child can ride up front with you, and this Sprinter made her feel incredibly cool.
How Does It Van?
Loading the church picnic supplies felt like a complex Tetris game with our usual truck. The Sprinter configuration has a 170-inch wheelbase and a cargo volume of 488 cubic feet. If I didn’t know it was electric, I probably wouldn’t have guessed. It certainly got some looks when I pulled into a charging station.
Loading it up, you still wouldn’t know it was electric. The cargo capacity is just shy of a diesel Sprinter’s space. The battery and motor are underneath the floor, but I couldn’t tell that in practice.
Driving it is different than the diesel Sprinter, lacking the mechanical sounds of a traditional engine. It drives better than any Sprinter I’ve driven, with plenty of low-end torque. It tapers off as you approach the top speed, but it’s a van, after all.
The eSprinter worked perfectly for moving the picnic equipment; everything fit with room to spare. The van’s low floor made loading super easy, even with a heavy box inside.
The Giant Heavy Box
To address how the van handles in windy conditions, Mercedes added a crate with 400 pounds of weight in the back. It also served as a divider to keep items in place. Even on a very windy day, the eSprinter remained stable. The crosswind assist system worked seamlessly.
Is This Really the Best Mercedes EV?
I’ve driven the EQS, EQS SUV, and EQB. None are bad on their own, but their inefficiency makes them mediocre by modern standards. The EPA doesn’t rate the eSprinter, but its WLTP range is 273 miles. My estimate is between 220-240 miles. My eSprinter showed 232 miles on a full charge, which corresponds to an efficiency of about 2.1 miles per kWh. That makes it as efficient as an AMG EQE and more efficient than other EV vans.
Driving a mix of highway and city, the range barely decreased. With the regenerative braking, I could see this achieving 300 miles off the highway. Cruising in this van is very easy.
Does It Fulfill Its Purpose?
Yes! It’s a big, efficient, blue van. The eSprinter is the only electrified Mercedes product I have driven that offers the best value in its segment. It’s cheaper to operate and maintain. It offers a superior driving experience, even on long trips. The range is also great.
