Mercedes-Benz is developing a new platform for its future electric vans, the VAN.EA. This advanced modular architecture, designed exclusively for vehicles of this type, will be the basis of its medium and large vans (Vito and Sprinter), as well as its tourism versions (Class V). One of the factories to which the new platform has been assigned is that of Vitoria, which guarantees the continuity of the Spanish factory.
With VAN.EA, the star firm will improve economies of scale, simplifying production and reducing the offer of versions to more than half in relation to current models with internal combustion engines. “With VAN.EA, we are underlining our intention to be a leader in electromobility: we are tailoring our portfolio even better to the requirements of our customers and thus ensuring profitability in the long term”it states Mathias Geisen, director of Mercedes-Benz Vans. .
According to Mercedes-Benz, the VAN.EA platform It will mean a before and after in terms of performance and efficiency. Aerodynamics, the propulsion system and even tires will be optimized to achieve the maximum possible autonomy with a battery of optimal capacity, since the size of the pack directly affects the weight and price of the vehicle.
The architecture will consist of three large modules. The striker will consist of the propulsion unit and the front axle, being identical in all variants of the platform. The differentiation will be given through the other two modules: the central one, on which the length of the vehicle and the battery capacity depend, and the rear, which can integrate an engine (all-wheel drive) or not (front-wheel drive).
Mercedes-Benz will bet on luxury electric vans
“Because we designed VAN.EA as a purely electrical architecture from the start, the advantages of the new technology are obvious. Our goal is to increase the share of electric vans in total sales to more than 50% by 2030. This leads to a significant reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from our new fleet of vans throughout the entire life cycle.”points andreas zyganHead of Van Development at Mercedes-Benz.
Thanks to the enormous flexibility of VAN.EA, Mercedes-Benz will place more emphasis on sectors such as luxury vans or the campers (Marco Polo). “The parcel services industry, with annual growth of 6-8%, is a strong driver of electromobility both in city centers and for travel between metropolitan areas. Mercedes-Benz Vans wants to focus on the premium segment with a special variant of the VAN.EA.”
