Mercedes-Benz Charges Ahead: Van.EA Electric Prototypes Hit the Road Ahead of 2026 Launch

Prototypes of Mercedes-Benz's upcoming electric vans are currently undergoing trials, with the official unveiling set for 2026.

The upcoming eSprinter and subsequent smaller electric vehicles in Europe, unlike their predecessors, will not be built on traditional combustion engine frameworks. Instead, they will premiere a unique electric vehicle foundation known as Van.EA. This base will become standard for all Mercedes vans released post-2026, featuring a universal array of parts and modules suitable for both midsize and large vans.

Mercedes has already announced that this versatility will be achieved using three primary units, consisting of both front and rear units intended for electric motor accommodation. Unlike the rear-wheel-drive eSprinter, the upcoming Van.EA series will feature front-wheel drive when equipped with a single motor, and will provide the option of dual-motor all-wheel drive.

Prototypes of the Mercedes-Benz Van.EA have been revealed by Mercedes-Benz.

According to the car manufacturer, prototype models underwent trial drives from Stuttgart, the base of Mercedes in Germany, to North Cape in Norway at the beginning of June. Following this, they are scheduled to be dispatched to Sweden to undergo tests in winter conditions.

Mercedes announced last year that it's bringing an electric luxury van designed on the Van.EA platform to the American market, alongside its standard passenger and cargo vans. Moreover, Mercedes has revealed intentions of creating electric recreational vehicles using the same platform, but has not yet committed to releasing any in the States, unlike the VW ID.Buzz camper van which is currently only available in the U.S. through third-party modifications.

Van.EA represents one of the multiple electric frameworks that Mercedes is currently working on, which includes the recent MMA platform potentially underpinning an electric crossover to rival Tesla's Model Y. Nonetheless, in February, Mercedes postponed its electric vehicle sales objectives, which initially aimed for a complete transition to electric by 2030. Moreover, the company has yet to announce a definitive cessation date for the sale of vans powered by internal combustion engines.

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