Flooded Basement Rescue: A Weekend with the 2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter

Transporting a busy life in the 2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter

By a fortunate coincidence, I was assigned the 2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter for the weekend precisely when it was most useful to me.

In Southeastern Wisconsin, the third rainiest Spring ever recorded caused flooding in my mother's basement. Before relocating from a condo to a house three years back, I had stored numerous personal items in her basement to simplify my living space. Additionally, three years before that, my niece's father's belongings had already been accumulated there.

Due to the flooding, it was necessary to remove all the clutter to make space for the contractors to begin their work.

I started using the eSprinter when the battery was charged to 99%, showing an estimated range of 199 miles. Although the official range hasn't been announced yet, the 2024 eSprinter can cover 273 miles according to the more generous European WLTP cycle.

I have to confess, I was a bit anxious about the vehicle's range. I estimated the entire journey would cover around 140 miles and was concerned about the possibility of the battery depleting mid-way. However, my worries were unfounded. My mother’s residence is situated 42 miles to the northwest, while my niece’s place is just over 14 miles to the southeast, totaling roughly 112 miles for the day. This left a comfortable margin compared to the eSprinter’s practical range, which seems to be at least 200 miles.

The vehicle I tested was consistent with all 2024 models: it featured a high roof, a 170-inch wheelbase, and a larger 113-kWh usable battery. For 2025, the eSprinter will also come with options for a short roof, a 144-inch wheelbase, and a smaller 81-kWh battery. My test vehicle was equipped with the more powerful 201-horsepower motor, which produces the same 295 lb-ft of torque as the base 151-horsepower version.

2024 eSprinter by Mercedes-Benz

As a spacious vehicle boasting an impressive 488.1 cubic feet of cargo capacity, the eSprinter was delivered with a 48x48x28-inch wooden crate positioned in the center of its cargo area, accompanied by two spare tires placed in front of it. The crate held 440 pounds of weight, which, along with the spare tires, helped stabilize the vehicle's ride when it was empty, similar to how pickup truck owners use sandbags in an unladen bed. However, this large, empty crate was likely to take up crucial space needed for transporting substantial belongings.

It wasn't quite a complete life and a half. Rather, it resembled the remnants of two lives—the things you wish to hold onto but don't require frequent access to. The box served as a convenient separator for my model cars, magazines, and automotive books on one side, and his guitars, amplifiers, and survival gear on the other. Even after everything was packed, there was ample space remaining.

The 2024 eSprinter from Mercedes-Benz

The 2024 eSprinter from Mercedes-Benz

The weight in the vehicle did not significantly impact the eSprinter’s range or its power. The 83.9-mile journey to my mother’s house and back, which was half of the time with a load and half without, consumed 48% of the battery. According to the trip computer, the remaining range varied between 85 and 98 miles, influenced by driving habits and the use of climate control. Given that the air conditioning was on and most of the trip was spent on the freeway traveling at speeds between 70 and 75 mph, it's understandable that the vehicle slightly fell short of its projected range.

The van easily maintained the pace of urban traffic and had no issues accelerating to highway speeds. Despite this, overtaking other vehicles on the highway was difficult whether the van was loaded or empty. The engine is designed to meet basic performance requirements but doesn't provide much extra power.

Driving another 28.7 miles to visit my niece and return home, primarily on the freeway, brought the total journey to 112.6 miles. By the end, the eSprinter still had an estimated 73-85 miles left in range and the battery was at 37% charge. Overall, the van managed an average of 1.7 miles per kWh for the entire trip, a decent performance considering the vehicle's bulky, wind-resistant design.

2024 Mercedes-Benz Electric Sprinter

Following an overnight recharge on my Level 2 home charger, the van's trip computer displayed a full charge range of 192 miles. It's clear that the system adapts its range projections by analyzing recent driving patterns. Carrying a lighter load and maintaining lower speeds would likely boost the estimated range.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter appears to be a wise option for those purchasing vehicles for their fleets. With a base price of $77,611 and an additional $3,430 for the more powerful motor, it's approximately $16,000 more expensive than its gasoline counterpart. Despite the higher upfront cost, the eSprinter offers sufficient range for a full day's work and its electric powertrain will reduce operating expenses significantly over time, though it will take a considerable amount of driving to recoup the initial investment. Additionally, it is a much more environmentally friendly choice.

It's particularly useful when you get one right when your mom wants you to clear your stuff out of her basement.

Understood. Please provide the text you'd like me to rewrite in a reporter style.

2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter Starting cost: $74,181, with an additional $2,295 for delivery Price as reviewed: $77,611 Engine specs: 201 horsepower motor, 113 kWh battery, rear-wheel drive EPA range estimate: Around 200-220 miles Key strengths: Adequate power, ample cargo capacity, ideal for fleet use Key weaknesses: Limited power at higher speeds, large and unwieldy, significantly more expensive than the gasoline model

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