eSprinter to the Rescue: Navigating Flooded Memories and Range Anxiety in the 2024 Mercedes-Benz

By chance, my time with the 2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter coincided perfectly with a weekend when it came in handy.

The record-breaking rainfall this Spring wreaked havoc in Southeastern Wisconsin, leading to severe flooding in my mother's basement. Three years ago, when I transitioned from living in a condo to a house, I transferred a bulk of my belongings to her basement to declutter. Additionally, belongings had been accumulating there since the passing of my niece's father three years prior.

The inundation signaled that it was necessary to relocate all the clutter to make space for the builders to operate.

I acquired the eSprinter when its battery was nearly fully charged at 99%, showing a potential distance of 199 miles before needing a recharge. Although an official range for the US market is not yet available, the 2024 eSprinter can travel up to 273 miles according to the European WLTP standards, which tend to be more forgiving.

I must confess to feeling some concern over the battery life of my vehicle. I estimated the total journey to be around 140 miles and the last thing I wanted was to be stranded with a depleted battery. However, my concerns were unfounded. My mother's residence is situated 42 miles to the northwest, and the distance to my niece's place slightly exceeds 14 miles to the southeast, summing up to approximately 112 miles of travel for the entire day. This calculation provided a comfortable margin in terms of the van's actual mileage versus its proven range on the road, which seems to surpass 200 miles.

The vehicle I reviewed matched the standard 2024 models, featuring a tall roof and an extended 170-inch wheelbase, paired with a more generous 113-kwh (usable) battery pack (meanwhile, the 2025 eSprinter is available with a lower roof, a reduced 144-inch wheelbase, and a smaller 81-kwh battery option). This particular model was equipped with the stronger 201-hp engine, which generates an identical 295 lb-ft of torque to that of the less powerful 151-hp entry-level model.

Upcoming 2024 Model of Mercedes-Benz eSprinter

The eSprinter turned up as a vast, vacant container offering an impressive 488.1 cubic feet space for goods. It came equipped with a wooden crate, measuring 48x48x28 inches, positioned centrally on the cargo floor, and had two additional tires installed ahead of it. Together, the crate and tires weighed 440 pounds, which was intended to stabilize the vehicle's movement similar to how pickup truck drivers employ sandbags in an empty truck bed. However, this large, superfluous box threatened to deprive me of crucial room needed for relocating one and a half lifetimes worth of possessions.

The contents of the box didn't quite amount to one complete life, let alone one and a half. It was a collection of items from two separate lives – things deemed worth holding onto but not necessary for daily use. The box served as a convenient partition for my collection of model cars, assorted magazines, and car-related literature, while keeping his assortment of guitars, amplifiers, and emergency survival equipment separate. Even after packing it all in, there was a surprising amount of space to spare.

2024 Model of Mercedes-Benz eSprinter

2024 Model of the Mercedes-Benz eSprinter

The cargo didn't seem to impact the eSprinter's driving distance or its constrained energy. During the 83.9-mile round journey to my mother's house, which was partly with a load and partly without, the vehicle consumed 48% of its battery life. According to the onboard trip calculator, there was an estimated 85 to 98 miles worth of battery left, which would vary based on the way I drove and the use of the air conditioning. Given that I was using the air conditioning and maintaining speeds of 70 to 75 mph on the highway, it makes sense that the actual mileage was a bit less than the anticipated range.

The vehicle managed to maintain pace with urban traffic and reach highway velocities with ease. Yet, whether empty or full, overtaking on the freeway was difficult. The engine's setup is designed to meet everyday demands with no extra performance to spare.

After adding a round trip of 28.7 miles to my niece's place, primarily on the highway, the overall journey reached 112.6 miles. This left the eSprinter with an estimated leftover range of 73 to 85 miles and the battery at 37% capacity. In total, the van managed to average 1.7 miles per kWh for the entire trip. Considering its large size and non-aerodynamic shape, this efficiency level appears quite acceptable.

2024 Model of Mercedes-Benz eSprinter

Upon fully charging the van at my residence using a Level 2 charger, the onboard trip computer displayed a range of 192 miles. It's clear that the vehicle's system adapts its range predictions according to driving patterns, taking into account recent usage. Carrying less weight and reducing speed would likely improve the projected distance.

The upcoming 2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter seems like a wise investment for those purchasing in bulk. With a starting cost of $77,611 and an additional $3,430 for an upgraded engine, it comes with a price tag that's roughly $16,000 above its petrol counterpart. Its battery life is sufficient for a day's work, and the lower running costs due to its electric nature could offset the higher initial outlay over a significant period and distance. Additionally, it offers the benefit of being more environmentally friendly.

It's particularly convenient when someone presents you with one right as your mother requires your junk cleared from her cellar.

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The starting cost for the 2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter is $74,181, with an additional $2,295 for delivery, totaling $77,611 for the model evaluated. It's equipped with a 201-horsepower engine and a 113-kWh battery, driving the rear wheels. The EPA estimates it can travel 200-220 miles on a single charge. Pros include adequate power, ample storage space, and good efficiency for commercial use. Cons are that the power is capped at legal speed limits, it's bulky to handle, and it comes at a substantial premium compared to its gasoline counterpart.

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