Mercedes Benz has launched its eVito, with prices and specifications confirmed for the UK. With a range of 93 miles on a charge, the eVito van is available in two lengths, and is eligible for the UK Plug-in Van Grant (PiVG).
Prices start at £39,895 and £40,415 for the L2 and L2 versions respectively – both ex VAT – with 20% off the purchase cost up to a maximum fo £8,000 through the grant. Prices exclude grant, delivery charges, and first registration fee.
Both have a gross vehicle weight rating of 3,200 kg, meaning the shorter L2 eVito can carry a payload of up to 923 kg, and the L3 an 898 kg payload.
Power comes from an 85 kW electric motor which drives the front wheels. There is multi-stage brae energy recuperation available 0 D- / D / D+ and D++ – and three drive modes in the form of Comfort, Economy, and Economy Plus.
The battery fitted is a 41 kWh pack with 35 kWh of that usable. This allows for a combined range of 93 miles on a charge, and it can be recharged via the 7.4 kW on-board charger in around six hours via a Type 2 inlet. There is no rapid charging capability.
There are two trim levels, Pure and Progressive. Entry level Pure includes features such as hill-start assist, sliding doors on both sides, Mercedes Pro connect, a heated drivers’ seat, air conditioning, 4 metre charging cable, and vehicle tracker.
Progressive adds body colour bumpers, front fog lights, 75 mph speed limiter, upgraded audio system, and lumbar support. Mercedes Pro Connect is a service that’s free for the first three years and includes remote access, digital drivers’ log, drive style monitor, service monitoring, parking time monitor, and geo-fence options. For the eVito, it also enables pre-conditioning.
The eVito is the first pure-electric van for Mercedes to arrive in 2020, with the larger eSprinter due later in the year. With electric vans ideally suited to delivery work – particularly in urban areas – the plug-in LCV market is set to increase rapidly in the coming 12 months.
