Mercedes-Benz Vans has firmly established itself as a pioneer in the electric Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) sector, starting with the Vito E-CELL in 2010. Today, the company offers a fully electric variant in every van segment, from compact to large, demonstrating a clear commitment to electric mobility. Mercedes-Benz Vans is aggressively pursuing an ambitious target: to have over 50% of its private and commercial model portfolio be electric vehicles by 2030. This bold move is underpinned by VAN.EA, a revolutionary, modular, and scalable electric architecture that will serve as the foundation for all future midsize and large Mercedes-Benz vans.
VAN.EA is designed from the ground up as a dedicated Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) platform, emphasizing both efficiency and performance. This innovative architecture will underpin all future midsize and large Mercedes-Benz vans, whether they are used for commercial purposes as versatile, premium vehicles or as luxurious private vans. The focus of VAN.EA is to deliver exceptional value to customers and cater to their diverse needs. The introduction of VAN.EA in 2026 marks a significant milestone in Mercedes-Benz Vans’ journey to achieve its Ambition 2039 goals, which include a net carbon-neutral new vehicle fleet.
The current Mercedes-Benz eSprinter showcases the company’s leadership in electric van technology, offering impressive versatility and efficiency. In a compelling real-world test in October 2022, the eSprinter demonstrated its range capabilities by completing a round trip from Stuttgart to Munich on a single charge. Building on this success, the new eSprinter further proved its mettle in the demanding conditions of the U.S. market. A pre-production model of the new eSprinter, equipped with a 113 kWh battery, successfully drove 275 miles (443 kilometers) from Las Vegas, NV, to the Mercedes-Benz Tech Center in Long Beach, CA, without needing to recharge. This remarkable feat underscores the long-range capability and efficiency of the new electric Mercedes-Benz van.
To further enhance the electric vehicle ownership experience, Mercedes-Benz Vans is investing heavily in charging infrastructure. Commercial Mercedes-Benz van customers will gain access to the brand-new Mercedes-Benz High Power Charging network, complementing the existing and expanding IONITY network. The plan is to establish a global network of up to 10,000 high-power chargers by the end of the decade. Furthermore, with the launch of the new eSprinter, Mercedes-Benz Vans will introduce the Mercedes me Charge digital service for B2B clients. This service provides access to over 300,000 charging points across Europe, forming one of the largest public charging networks in the region, ensuring convenient and easy charging for Mercedes-Benz van users.
Mercedes-Benz Vans is not only a leader in electric vehicle technology but also in vehicle software and digital services. Currently, the division offers around 30 digital extras through the Mercedes me app and store, with plans for rapid expansion and optimization. The digital strategy is built on a three-layer approach to generate software-enabled revenue. The first layer includes vehicle-related functions, such as specialized navigation for larger vehicles like camper vans, which require routing that considers size and road restrictions.
The second layer focuses on customer-specific digital extras enabled by the Onboard Logic Unit (OLU), a unique in-house developed device. The OLU allows seamless integration of Mercedes-Benz vans into customers’ existing digital infrastructure. A prime example is the intelligent charging and load management system developed in collaboration with DPDHL. This digital solution, powered by the OLU, enables DPDHL to integrate electric Mercedes-Benz vans into their enterprise system for optimized fleet charging. Looking ahead, the third layer will expand digital offerings to include commodity services and third-party applications integrated into MB.OS, the Mercedes-Benz operating system. MB.OS will be a core component of all VAN.EA-based vehicles starting in 2026.
Mercedes-Benz is actively developing MB.OS as its proprietary operating system. This flexible, modular, and service-based architecture, spanning from chip to cloud, is specifically designed for B2B software applications. MB.OS will empower Mercedes-Benz Vans to accelerate the expansion and refinement of its digital extras and services, enabling the delivery of more tailored commercial applications for its customers. For the first time, Mercedes-Benz Vans will offer a comprehensive suite of both new and existing third-party apps relevant to commercial customers and core industries. MB.OS will also serve as the foundation for faster and more extensive Over-the-Air (OTA) updates and facilitate the development of automated driving capabilities, progressing from SAE Level 2 upwards. Mercedes-Benz Vans aims to achieve SAE Level 3 for private customers by the end of the decade, leveraging MB.OS capabilities. With the launch of VAN.EA-based vehicles, SAE Level 2 capabilities will be available, and SAE Level 4 automated driving is planned for the commercial segment by the end of the decade, tapping into the potential of driverless transportation with Mercedes-Benz vans.
