Mercedes-Benz has updated three electric vans for the Australian and New Zealand market including a refreshed eVito and eVito Tourer, and the EQV 300 people mover.
Pricing for the three models starts from $98,951 (MRLP) for the eVito Panel Van, before jumping up to $136,898 (MRLP) for the eVito Tourer, and $161,723 (MRLP) for the EQV 300. All pricing excludes on-road costs and dealer delivery fees.
The eVito long-wheelbase panel van and the eVito Tourer medium-wheelbase people mover received the same external facelift which included an updated grille and front fascia styling.
The eVito is powered by an electric motor outputting 85kW and 360Nm of torque and has a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of 3,200kg. The eVito Tourer boasts a more powerful 150kW motor which puts out torque of 365Nm while seating eight.
Specification upgrades fitted as standard across the entire range include a 10.25-inch centre touchscreen playing host to the company’s MBUX infotainment system which includes everything from radio and media controls and telephony through to vehicle settings and navigation. A separate 5.5-inch full-colour display screen houses the driver’s instrumentation.
All models are also now fitted with a multifunction steering wheel with touch-sensitive controls; a keyless start function allowing the driver to start the vehicle with the key fob in their pocket via a Stop/Start button; an electronically actuated park brake; and wireless device connectivity via Apple Car Play or Google Android Auto.
Safety features include Active Lane Keep Assist, Traffic Sign Assist, and tyre pressure monitoring for the first time as standard.
Meanwhile, the eVito LWB Van adds for the first time pre-entry climate control, which allows the driver to remotely set the cabin temperature before entering the vehicle.
In addition to the range-wide features, the eVito Tourer includes a host of additional new features including Multibeam LED headlights with High Beam Assist, satellite navigation with route-based speed adaptation and seven years of free updates, a 360° camera with surround view, a wireless charging system for mobile devices, electric sliding doors and tailgate, electrically foldable side mirrors, and roof rails.
A similarly expansive list of upgrades and features adorn the all-electric EQV, part of the company’s luxury V-Class range of vans. Recognisable with an external facelift including variant-specific grille and front fascia designs and a redesigned tailgate feature new Mercedes-Benz graphics, the EQV matches the eVito Tourer with a 150kW electric motor putting out 365Nm of torque.
Some of the features include a widescreen cockpit featuring dual 12.3-inch displays with the company’s MBUX Multimedia System, keyless start, a heated multifunction steering wheel fitted with touch-sensitive controls, wireless charging for mobile devices, 64-colour ambient lighting throughout the cabin, multibeam headlights with High Beam Assist, wireless device connectivity via Apple Car Play or Google Android Auto, and 3D Surround View.
Safety technologies as standard on the EQV include Active Lane Keep Assist, Traffic Sign Assist, and tyre pressure monitoring, while a premium Burmester surround sound system, previously available only on the V 300 AMG model, is now featured as well.
Specific to the EQV are 18-inch alloy wheels and a distinctive LED light band around the radiator grille.
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.
“…the eVito LWB Van adds for the first time pre-entry climate control…”
This is way more important than it sounds. By running the air con for just a few minutes before getting in the car, you get the seats cool. This lets you run the air con much less starting as soon as you drive away, and makes it way more comfortable.
It also illustrates how easy it is to add features once your control systems are entirely electronic. My 2014 Tesla Model S has had this feature since the day it was delivered. Seems a little embarrassing for Mercedes to be offering this as a new feature ten years late.
I’d like to see a van that is competitive with the Toyota HiAce and Hyundai Stadia, rather than this rather niche product from MB. HiAce vans and equivalent are used by delivery drivers, tradies, community organisations and clubs and an offering in that segment will be far more impactful than something to transfer people from top range hotels to the airport etc. My guess is that the competitive offer will come from China, again, and the European manufacturers will complain, again..
Quite happy with the LDV eDeliver 7 van we picked up in April, now with over 13000km on the clock.
Goes and handles really well, even when fully loaded.
Pre-entry AC operation is missing, and something we (and our kelpie) would really like to see added in the future.
85kW, they must be joking at $90k.