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Mercedes-Benz is set to manufacture an electric version of its next-generation Sprinter van at its factory in Germany.
The Düsseldorf plant, which has been producing Sprinters since 1995, is preparing for the production of the new electric model, the company announced in a press release. This initiative is part of Mercedes’ broader strategy to electrify both commercial vehicles and passenger cars.
The automaker plans to invest approximately 150 million euros (about $171 million) in the electrification of the Sprinter and its smaller model, the Vito (known as the Metris in the U.S.), over the upcoming years. Additionally, as part of a redesign that will include the electric powertrain option, Mercedes will allocate 300 million euros (around $343 million) for factory enhancements.
By the time the next-generation Sprinter is launched, Mercedes is expected to produce vans at a new facility in South Carolina. However, it remains uncertain whether the electric Sprinter will be manufactured outside of Germany or sold in North America.
So far, car manufacturers have mainly introduced electric powertrains in smaller vans, none of which are currently available in the U.S. For instance, Nissan sells only the gasoline-powered NV200, not the electric e-NV200, while Renault, Peugeot, and Citroën provide electric variants of their smaller vans in Europe. Furthermore, Renault and Volkswagen are anticipated to release electric models of their larger vans, the Master and Crafter, but exclusively for the European market.
Mercedes may initially focus on its domestic market. The company has already partnered with Hermes Germany to deliver 1,500 electric delivery vans, a use-case well-suited for electric vehicles due to the fixed and short routes that keep the vans near charging stations. This approach could also be appreciated by people living along these routes, as it minimizes noise and exhaust emissions.
In addition to the electric Sprinter, Mercedes is also working on a commercial truck based on the Urban eTruck concept, which is expected to be produced and sold primarily in Europe. This effort will complement the range of electric passenger vehicles being rolled out in the coming years under Mercedes’ new EQ sub-brand..
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