Electrification is the future of urban deliveries, but is the Mercedes-Benz eVito the perfect fit for businesses. We find out.

It is fairly apparent that our cars are all heading in the direction of electrification over the next few years. The once steady march toward greener motoring has turned into a pacy jog with governments pushing for cleaner air and less reliance on fossil fuels than ever before – no bad thing. While it might be easy to picture an electric car on your driveway, one of the biggest challenges is how commercial vehicles will make the leap from combustion to EV. The Mercedes-Benz eVito is the three-pointed-star’s first stepping stone.

Exterior

Unless you really geek-out over vans, the eVito looks identical to its diesel-powered counterpart. That’s not a negative observation as it’s the sort of vehicle that presents a more formal introduction than something like a Ford Transit. In Progressive trim the body-coloured bumpers and 17-inch wheel covers give it a far less workaday appearance, something those running a fleet for a premium business will appreciate.

Some car manufacturers have taken the route of really visually highlighting that their vehicle is electric, whereas Mercedes has gone down a more subtle route. This is a van for those who want to go green, but keep everything else business as usual.

Interior

A van’s interior needs to strike a fine balance between being hardy and comfortable. Hardy because it will no doubt experience a life of muddy boots, slamming doors and spilt tea, but comfortable because someone has to potentially spend 9 hours a day in the cabin. The eVito ticks both boxes.

You’ll find three abreast seating – a handy commodity in the world of medium-sized vans – and plenty of storage cubbies for the miscellanea of your day. Plusher Progressive models treat the driver to added lumbar support and even a heated seat for those frosty early morning starts.

It’s not the most spacious three-seat interior out there, and some material choices could be a bit more generous, but the eVito’s interior is best highlighted by its durable function.

Cargo

Thanks to the battery being placed underneath the cargo floor, capacity is unimpeded versus the diesel Vito. Open one of its two standard sliding doors, or the pair at the back for access to 6m³ of space. Available as a 6m or 6.6m model, the eVito at its smallest has a cargo length of 2.82 metres. A nice asset of the eVito is that it can carry up to 923kg of weight, which is actually more than the diesel van.

Technology and equipment

All Mercedes-Benz eVitos come with the Audio 10 infotainment system, but Progressive trimed vehicles such as our test car come standard with Audio 15. In fact, our van was further upgraded to the top of the range Audio 40 system! Don’t get too excited, the software is rather antiquated and frequently slow to respond to inputs. This top-of-the-line option is also the only way to get DAB radio, Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Easily 5 years out of touch, the eVito’s infotainment system is comprehensively shown-up by the MBUX system found in the bigger Sprinter van.

As mentioned, the Progressive trim gets the luxury of heated seats, but considering the cost of an eVito, the equipment list is pretty sparse. That said, a standard steel bulkhead does offer added refinement and protection from stray cargo.

On the road

The Mercedes-Benz eVito replaces the conventional diesel under the bonnet with an electric motor capable of generating 114bhp and 221lb ft of torque. It generates this power via a 41kWh battery that gives it a projected range of 93 miles on a single charge. The act of charging itself is done via a Type 2 connector and a 7.4kW charger that will get this van from 0-100% battery capacity in around 6 hours.

This eVito certainly has its merits – and we will soon get onto those – but it’s fair to say that from the spec sheet this isn’t a cutting-edge drive train. A limited range and long charging times are becoming a thing of the past for passenger cars, and a topic that’s arguably even more important for commercial vehicles.

In the real world of urban deliveries, an electric van such as the eVito makes perfect sense. The stop/start nature of deliveries and congested roads makes an EV the smart choice. We reckon you could potentially half your fuel bill in comparison to a diesel van doing the same work around cities. The 93 mile range is restricting for longer trips, but in truth it is about right for delivering door-to-door each day. Also parking up in a depot and leaving the van overnight will easily get you to 100% charge by morning. However, an issue comes for small businesses or sole traders who might not have access to private charging.

Driving the eVito is a rather tranquil experience. Sure, as the speed builds so does tyre noise, but the lack of a gargling diesel in the background is quite relaxing. You scooch along safe in the knowledge that there’s zero emission in the back, and that you are being as efficient will deliveries as possible – no more wasteful idling.

The eVito is far from hard work with light but precise steering preventing the need to manhandle the van all day long. Its smooth and near silent electric drivetrain goes about its business without fuss as you quickly become acquainted with your new normal. Range will vary dependant on how heavy you are with the throttle, your average speed and temperature, but we’ve found Mercedes’ claims of 93 miles to not be too far from real world results.

Unlike a Tesla, the eVito has been engineered to behave like a well-measured commercial vehicle as opposed to an electrified rocket. Its acceleration is progressive to allow for smooth exits from junctions and protect any precious cargo you might be carrying. Not fast, but with enough torque to maintain strong overtaking characteristics.

Its ride is compliant, too. Even unladen the suspension setup strikes a good compromise to deliver enough resistance to road imperfections, while also resisting excessive roll. You’ll also be relatively unaware of the added weight the battery brings to the party while driving.

The battery can also recuperate battery power through declaration or braking, The resistance and reaping of energy can be adjusted via wheel-mounted paddles. In the standard setting the braking motion is quite natural, but in its most aggressive regeneration mode you can actually drive the van with just one pedal.

Verdict

The Mercedes-Benz eVito is a good first attempt at a pure EV van from Mercedes-Benz. It retains many of the strengths that the regular Vito possesses, but introduces lower running costs and a new air of refinement. This van, just like other Mercedes vans, comes with MobiloVan – an impressive recovery service that will cover you for 30 years of ownership at no cost. All you need to do is keep servicing your van with a Mercedes dealer.

In reality the 93 mile range shouldn’t bother urban couriers who would make great use of an eVito, however, competitors are coming over the hill at quite a rate with better battery tech or plug-in options. When a small city car can crack 200 miles of range (necessary or not) it does suggest that Mercedes aren’t using the latest battery tech here. Charging times are probably the bigger drawback.

Price premium over rivals aside, this eVito will likely be a good fit for small premium businesses looking to change with the times.

Facts and figures

Model tested: Mercedes-Benz eVito Progressive

Price: £41,600

Drivetrain: 85kW electric motor + 41kWh battery

Power / Torque: 114bhp / 221lb ft

0-62mph: N/A

Top speed: 75mph

Seating: 3

Cargo space: 6m³

Range: 93 miles

Charging: 6 hours via 7.4kW

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