Mercedes announced the next-generation eSprinter in December and now the company has confirmed the model will go into production in the second half of 2023. The electric van will be built at three different plants, including the Düsseldorf and Ludwigsfelde factories in Germany as well as the Ladson/North Charleston plant in the United States. Planning is already underway and Mercedes will invest approximately US$ 58 (£ 43 / € 50) million into each plant as part of the electrification shift.
Each of the plants will build the
eSprinter on the same production line that makes conventionally powered
versions of the van. This will enable Mercedes to “respond very precisely” to
market needs as they could either ramp up or cut eSprinter production to meet
demand, while also adjusting production of the traditional Sprinter to
compensate.
The
next-generation eSprinter has been fast-tracked and will ride on the new
Electric Versatility Platform. The architecture offers greater flexibility and
this will enable the electric van to be offered with two wheelbases and three
different battery packs. All of the vans will be rear-wheel drive and Mercedes
has confirmed there will be a chassis variant that can be used to underpin
everything from ambulances to motorhomes.
