So, my friend asks, “Hey, Casey, what are you driving this week?” To which I reply, “One of the new Mercedes electric vehicles.” “Is it roomy?” “Oh yeah, lots of space. It’s like a bus inside!”
My daughter overhears this conversation as we’re rushing out the door to my dentist appointment. I’m sure she imagines her favorite Mercedes EQS uber-luxury electric sedan as she smugly sweeps out the door. She drops all of her attitude when she spies the eSprinter – an electric version of the popular Sprinter commercial van you’ll likely see shuttling travelers at the airport or fronting your plumber.
This barn-dominum is astonishingly easy to drive, though. You sit high and forward with big glass and mirrors all-around. It shrinks in your hands, which should be a relief for contractors who will be slipping them in and out of tight driveways and narrow alleyways as part of their daily toil.
I tell my daughter to be careful getting out. She says, “Yeah, it would be quite a tumble!”
Base models achieve 160 miles range, but a larger battery is available for 250 miles. Drivers can quick charge 10-80% in 42 minutes or fully charge in 12.5 hours – an easy overnight on a 240v charger back at the shop. Thanks to 201 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque, the rear-drive van runs 0-60 mph in 12.7 seconds.
And, it can really haul. The cavern behind the safety wall can hold 488 cubic feet of cargo weighing up to 2,624 lbs. For reference, that’s about 800 lbs. more than a Smart car. The ride is a little bouncy unloaded, but settled nicely with 700 lbs. or so hitching a ride.
Yet, it’s still a Mercedes-Benz. Dashboard and controls seem lifted from the GLA crossover. A thick leather-wrapped steering wheel, automatic climate control, heated seats, and voice-activated infotainment add comforts. Safety is enhanced by automatic emergency braking, blind spot warning, rear cross path detection, and crosswind assist. A rear-view camera mirror provides a clear view when backing to a loading dock.
If you’re worried about maintenance, don’t. The first four services within the first four years, or up to 100,000 miles, are covered. Mercedes guarantees that over 8 years, the maximum remaining capacity of batteries will not be less than 70% of initial capacity. An optional battery certificate can extend that to 185,000 miles total.
I’m on my way out for one final drive when I call into my house, “Baby, I’m heading to the liquor store to pick up a pallet or two of bourbon. Anything you need at Costco?”
Especially given its ability to earn a living, the eSprinter should prove a good investment. It costs more than the Ford eTransit’s $51,095 sticker, but is surprisingly less than the Ram ProMaster EV’s $77,995. Base eSprinters start at $71,886, rising to $75,316 with the extended-range battery pack.