AutoBlog Commutes and Hauls with the e-Sprinter

There is a reason Amazon has a large fleet of electric delivery vans. The vehicles likely have assigned territories, which helps predict their daily mileage. They start and stop frequently, an advantage for electric vehicles. Additionally, they are smooth, quiet, and cost significantly less to operate and maintain than internal combustion vehicles. Amazon had its vans custom-made, but if your delivery van needs are also predictably less than 200 miles, AutoBlog suggests considering an E-Sprinter Van, and Mercedes-Benz of Plano concurs.

The E-Sprinter is available with either a 144-inch or 170-inch wheelbase and comes in both regular and high-roof configurations, featuring either a 134- or 201-horsepower motor that drives the rear wheels. There are also two battery options: if your daily mileage is comfortably under 150 miles, you can choose the 89 kWh battery, while the 113 kWh battery is suitable for expected ranges of 150 to 200 miles.

AutoBlog tested the largest version available for commuting and some hauling. There, they found that charging takes about 10–12 hours on a Level 2 charger or about 42 minutes to reach 80 percent on a DC fast charger. Operating costs will be lower. An earlier e-Sprinter blog post includes a quick electricity versus gas cost comparison for the Plano area.

AutoBlog found the e-Sprinter easy to operate, even for a non-van driver, thanks to good forward visibility and effective rearview cameras. Further, they state: “…this is one of the easiest large vans I’ve driven in traffic. Acceleration is snappy enough to keep up or even pass most vehicles, yet smooth and predictable. It’s whisper-quiet, which makes daily driving less fatiguing and creates a serene environment for long shifts or background music.”

Just as important, they found the seats to be comfortable and supportive, which is typical of Mercedes-Benz, and the 10.25-inch screen was fairly easy to operate. They did wish for more physical controls on the dash and steering wheel, the latter of which has touch controls. With 1,000 pounds loaded, the vehicle drove just as nicely, with only a 5% drop in range over approximately 100 miles.

AutoBlog concludes that for a vehicle with a predictable daily mileage under its model’s 200-mile range, the e-Sprinter is tough to beat. When your usage is less predictable and may exceed 200 miles, the ICE-powered models are probably a better choice. If the first scenario meets your needs, visit Mercedes-Benz of Plano, which boasts the most extensive Mercedes-Benz inventory in the country, to determine if the e-Sprinter suits your delivery van requirements.