A few months ago, I drove the Mercedes-Benz eSprinter and came away in a bind. The electric cargo van was great to drive, shockingly refined and offered 200 miles of real-world range.
The problem was, the loaded extended-wheelbase model I drove was $93,563. I couldn’t quite square whether that was a fair value, given its low running costs, and that no one else really offers a van like this.
Now, I don’t have to. Mercedes just put a $30,000 incentive on 2024 models (yes, 2024 models—you read that right), making them a slam-dunk deal. It may not be right for everyone, but driving one made me realize something great: Not only will electrification make life better for commercial vehicle operators, but that alone will make life better for the rest of us. Here’s why.
What’s In A Price, Anyway?
Photo by: Mack Hogan/InsideEVs
I think value should be central to any car review, which is why I struggled with this one. The Mercedes eSprinter starts at $61,180, about $10,000 more than a base-model Sprinter. But because these are primarily fleet vehicles, and big ones, running costs are a major factor. With all-electric power, the eSprinter will be far cheaper to fuel and maintain than a gas van, but without knowledge of your specific business, I can’t really tell you whether the running costs will ever offset the higher price.
When the tax credit existed, the math was easier. But it doesn’t now, so, unless your state offers incentives, the government won’t be tipping the balance.
Carrying capacity might, however. It’s worth noting that the eSprinter offers between 3,120 and 3,516 pounds of payload capacity. My extended-wheelbase model, with its $5,600 extended-range battery, was at the bottom of that range. Diesel Sprinters, meanwhile, can haul up to 6,812 pounds.
Here’s the fine print for the $30,000 customer cash deal.
Photo by: InsideEVs
Diesel vans also won’t have any range concerns. But with 273 miles of WLTP cycle range—the EPA doesn’t rate vehicles this big, but expect around 200 miles in real-world conditions—I doubt range is going to be a big problem. Most commercial vans aren’t doing 200 miles per day, and most vans are logging city miles with lots of idling, a perfect use case for an electric vehicle.
Photo by: Mack Hogan/InsideEVs
The Electric Van Experience Rocks
Here is my impression of any gas or diesel commercial vehicle on a modest incline: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
The roar of a garbage truck rolling up the street or a FedEx van climbing a hill is the background noise of America. And the eSprinter deletes it. This is great for the driver, as you no longer feel like you’re having to wring your truck’s neck to get it to climb.
It’s better for the houses you’re passing, which no longer have to hear a diesel clacking and roaring. Driving the eSprinter West, I climbed 4,000 feet in about 20 miles. In a gas truck or even a small crossover, this route sends engine RPMs soaring, creating the sort of endless drone that any commercial vehicle driver knows by heart. In the eSprinter, I cruised up without a noise.
Photo by: Mack Hogan/InsideEVs
When I hit a twisty road, I felt more planted due to the low-slung battery. And while gas vehicles have to choose between commercial-vehicle durability and passenger-car responsiveness, an EV offers both. The eSprinter’s 201-horsepower motor delivers seamless, plentiful power and requires no maintenance. The only expensive bit is the battery, and that’s warrantied for eight years or 100,000 miles, and batteries rarely fail. Plus, when I started heading back down the mountain, I regained range as I descended.
That’s the key: These electric vans are both more pleasant and more efficient in the real world. They are a superior experience. But with high prices and limited cargo-carrying capacity, they are not yet a superior product entirely. For many businesses, an internal-combustion van still makes financial sense compared to a full-price eSprinter.
A Heroic Discount
What if you don’t pay full price? From now until Dec. 1, Mercedes if offering $30,000 off 2024 eSprinters that are still in inventory. I don’t typically mention limited-time discounts in a review, but discounts aren’t usually $30,000. With such an insane amount of money on the table, I’d be remiss not to mention it.
Because, absent the cost issue, the eSprinter is flawless.
It’s beautifully built, rides phenomenally well and is extremely maneuverable for such a gargantuan beast. Its power figure looks modest, but its instant torque and silent operation make the eSprinter feel less taxed in normal driving than the diesel, and an order of magnitude quieter and more relaxing.
Photo by: Mack Hogan/InsideEVs
Is it the right vehicle for you? I can’t say. Fleet logistics are not my game. But as a pedestrian and a member of my community, the eSprinter got me more excited for the future. Costs are falling rapidly; deals, as you can see, are here. As those trends continue, more and more fleets will make the jump.
As they do, the racket of heavy-duty diesel engines roaring up city streets will slowly fade, until all that’s left is clean, quiet air.
Contact the author: Mack.Hogan@insideevs.com
More eSprinter Reviews & Stories
Click here to see all articles with lists of the best EVs
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Insideevs.com?
– The InsideEVs team