Launched last November and with deliveries scheduled
for the second half of the year, the Mercedes-Benz eVito is the first electric
vehicle from the brand’s Vans division. It has a claimed range of 150 km, which comes courtesy of a 41.4kWh battery, but when temperatures drop
severely, it will have to be charged every 100 km or so.
This is the conclusion reached by a team of
engineers, after taking the new eVito to Arjeplog, Sweden, near the Polar
Circle, for a round of extreme temperature testing. The electric van had its
handling, efficiency, ergonomics and comfort checked, but the main focus was on
the battery.
In temperatures down to -30C (-22F), the 2018
Mercedes-Benz eVito performed well, but testing will continue in sunny Spain,
where the zero-emission vehicle will have to face temperatures of up to 35C
(95F) in the shade.
Pricing for the electric van starts from € 39,990
(US$ 49,185) before tax, in Germany. The automaker says that the first 1,000
customers will be rewarded with a special service package that includes the
WallBox, which provides fast charging for the battery.
The eVito is only the tip of the iceberg of the
Mercedes-Benz Vans division, as their plan is to launch an electric version of
the Sprinter next year. The eSprinter will be followed by the eCitan, which is
basically a Renault Kangoo with Mercedes badges.
