Mercedes have officially unveiled their eCitan all-electric van which will join the eSprinter and eVito zero-emission electric vehicles (EVs). The eCitan, which will be the smallest van in Mercedes’ electric line-up, will be available as both a panel van and windowed tourer.
The new zero-emission van will be powered by a 44kWh battery that will provide a peak performance of 75kW/102horsepower and offer a maximum torque of 245Nm. It is expected to deliver a range of up to 177 miles (285km) which should be more than enough for most users. Using a rapid charger the eCitan is expected to take around 40 minutes to charge up to 80 percent.
The battery, which drives the front wheels, will be located in the underbody ahead of the rear axle of the eCitan. This helps with vehicle handling and protects the battery in the event of an accident. The eCitan will have a top speed of 81mph (130kph).
Mercedes says that when it comes to the dimensions of the load compartment (2.9 cubic metres), the payload and the availability of equipment, eCitan customer’s won’t need to make any concessions compared to a vehicle equipped with a conventional engine. Even a trailer coupling will be available for the eCitan.
The eCitan will be available in a range of body variants and will be the ideal electric vehicle for a multitude of commercial purposes. These include taxi and ride-hailing purposes, a classic work van and last-mile delivery vehicle for typical inner-city jobs.
The eCitan will join a range of electric mini vans from many of the big players including the Citroën ë-Berlingo, Peugeot e-Rifter, Renault Kangoo E-Tech and Vauxhall Combo-e. Deliveries of the new eCitan are expected in the second half of 2022.
