Mercedes presents electric vans with less range but greater load capacity

Although the trend is for the range of electric vehicles to keep increasing, some brands are looking to establish other features that improve how these vehicles are used. Mercedes-Benz has just announced that it will market versions of two of its electric vans intended for passenger transport. The Mercedes eVito Tourer and the EQV will begin to be sold with a considerable reduction in the battery pack.

The brand’s intention is to offer sufficient range for the vehicle to fulfil its role, but with greater load capacity. Both models will now include a version equipped with a 60 kWh battery, which will replace the current 90 kWh battery fitted to both models.

Less range, more load

The smaller battery that both models will use has fewer energy cells. This reduction in weight makes the vehicle lighter and, consequently, more efficient. The loss of those 150 kg removed with this version does not fully offset the range, but it keeps the range very attractive.

The Mercedes eVito Tourer equipped with this 60 kWh battery is driven by a 150 kW motor, with a top speed of 140 km/h. In Germany there is an option that raises this speed to 160 km/h to get the most out of the Autobahn. The range of this version is rated at 239 kilometres, and the weight saved from the battery can be used to increase load capacity.

The battery can be charged with a 50 kW charger, although it can reach a maximum power of 80 kW. Charging from 10 to 80% takes just 35 minutes.

The Mercedes Benz EQV also has a 150 kW motor and the speed limit is identical. The range is very similar, at 236 kilometres. The battery can be charged with a standard charger with an output of 80 kW. In this version the 110 kW charging, as on the version with the 90 kWh battery, cannot be used.

The prices of these two versions have also come down. In Germany, the 60 kWh eVito Tourer costs 60,678 euros in the standard-size variant. The larger variant costs 61,570 euros. The small-size Mercedes EQV costs 67,818 euros and the largest one, 68,710 euros.