The mid-sized van class is dominated the Ford Transit Custom, but while we wait for the new E-Transit Custom to arrive later in the year, let’s take a look at the Mercedes-Benz eVito electric van.
First introduced in 2020, the eVito saw some significant upgrades in 2022, making it far more practical for everyday use. The original, measly 92-mile range was upped to a far more useful 162 miles, while charging capabilities have also been improved so the battery can be topped up quicker.
The eVito targets low mileage commuters, local tradespeople, delivery drivers and in its nine-seater Tourer version, makes the perfect city taxi. Electric models still command a higher price than their equivalent diesel counterparts, but the lower cost of servicing and charging should offset the steeper initial outlay.
The entry-level option comes well equipped, and two opening side doors come as standard. This is especially useful to keep drivers safe when making deliveries on a busy road or in confined spaces. Whether you’re ready to go electric or you’re just keeping an eye on the market, here’s what you need to know about the Mercedes-Benz eVito.
What’s new about the Mercedes-Benz eVito?
The updated version of the eVito gets a larger 66kWh battery compared to its original 41kWh one. The eVito is still sold alongside the diesel powered offering but will eventually be the only powertrain on offer. Previously there was a ‘Pure’ spec but this was dropped in favour of ‘Progressive’ and ‘Premium’.
The eVito panel van is available in two wheelbase lengths or as a nine-seater passenger vehicle but there’s no crew-cab version.
How does it look?
The eVito looks no different from the diesel van, the only noticeable change is where the ‘fuel cap’ is placed. It now sits in the front bumper on the passenger side, which means at charging stations the van needs to be parked facing the charging port so the cable can reach.
Black plastic bumpers are included in the Progressive spec and Premium gets body-coloured front and rear bumpers and a chrome grille. Both trims have 17-inch wheels that are either steel or light-alloy for the top spec.
What can you get in the Mercedes-Benz eVito?
The L2 version is the standard wheelbase for the eVito and offers a load space of 6.0m³. Load length is 2,831mm, but this includes 370mm under the front seats, width is 1,270mm between wheel arches and a maximum of 1,685mm and height is 1,391mm.
L3 obviously gets more length at 3,061mm, which again includes 370mm under the front seats, width and height remain the same. The extra length means the total load volume is 6.6m³. There’s only one height option for the eVito and it’s not equipped to tow a trailer.
Payload varies between the trim options and wheelbases so the L2 Progressive will take 807kg, L2 Premium 749kg and L3 772kg. A bigger battery means payload has decreased so some rivals can offer a larger payload but electric vehicles can’t yet match the payloads of diesel vans.
What’s the spec like?
The spec line up is pretty simple. L2 is available in Progressive or Premium and L3 just Progressive. The entry-level comes with: height and reach adjustable steering wheel, seven-inch infotainment screen with DAB digital radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, reversing camera, air-conditioning, heated driver’s seat with eight-way adjustment and lumbar support, dual passenger seat, twin side loading doors, 11kW AC charging and 80kW DC charging, active brake assist with pedestrian detection, cruise control, hill start assist and a speed limiter.
Premium adds body-coloured bumpers, chrome grille, electrically folding door mirrors, 17-inch alloy wheels, front and rear parking sensors, leather steering wheel and front fog lights. The top spec is around £4,000 more expensive and Progressive comes well equipped, so we’d suggest sticking with the entry-level version unless shiny bumpers and alloy wheels are a must-have.
All versions come with a three-year unlimited warranty and an eight-year 160,000km (just under 100,000 miles) battery guarantee.
What’s it like inside?
It doesn’t quite feel as premium or techy as the smaller Mercedes-Benz Citan, but nonetheless, it feels functional and robust. The part-digital display is useful to show the anticipated range and speed, so for the most part the analogue dials are redundant. To turn the ignition on, insert the key and twist like you would in a diesel van – so you’re not clogging up a cupholder with your keys.
Like most infotainment systems in vans, the screen is far easier to interact with when it’s linked with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Otherwise, it’s pretty straightforward to set your favourite radio station and stick with it. There’s a few cubbies on the dash to store bits and bobs but the driver’s side cup holder is right beneath where you’d stick a phone mount to the windscreen so it’s not always convenient to use both at the same time.
What’s under the bonnet?
There’s just the 66kWh battery available for the eVito panel van which offers 162 miles of range. The Tourer gets a 100kWh battery that can do around 220 miles. Competitors have more battery options to choose from so the eVito isn’t the most flexible option on the market if a bigger range is required. But for the most part, 162 miles should be more than enough range for daily use as long as you remember to charge it at work or when you get home.
What’s it like to drive?
At first it takes a bit of getting used to as the gear selector is the right-hand stalk behind the steering wheel and the eVito has a foot brake instead of a handbrake. If you’re not used to a stalk selector, it’s tempting to move it when it starts to rain but once you get acclimatised to the windscreen wipers being on the left, it’s not an issue. The parking brake is released via a pull handle near the steering wheel and it’s easy to apply when you come to a halt.
It feels surprisingly like a diesel van on the road, except for the hushed noises and lack of fumes. Power delivery is measured so the vehicle doesn’t shoot off the line but it’s also not underpowered. It drives with deliberate placement and gently gets up to speed, but if you need a little more oomph, it accelerates nicely at motorway speeds.
Battery placement gives it a low centre of gravity which makes it settled over uneven surfaces, even if it’s unloaded. This also helps to minimise body roll around corners and different regenerative braking modes will help the brakes last for longer and increase range efficiency.
Asking it to cruise at any more than 65mph is certainly possible but it’ll start to eat into the battery and pick up a lot of wind noise. In traffic it’s easy to crawl along but it’s also far more relaxing to sit in traffic in an EV because the cabin can be completely silent.
For manoeuvring around tight spaces, you just need to be aware of the long wheelbase, but the steering is super light at low speeds and the mirrors give great visibility behind. A reversing camera comes as standard and the large mirrors give a good view behind. The top spec has parking sensors but with the camera and a short bonnet these aren’t a necessary extra.
Verdict
For local deliveries and short commutes, the eVito is a good choice. If you’re covering upwards of 100 miles a day, make sure you have sufficient charging facilities close to where you live or an electric charging wallbox installed at home. We found after a couple of days of long trips, charging overnight via a three-pin plug couldn’t replenish the battery to 100%.
The eVito is more expensive than its diesel equivalent, so this could be off putting. But fuel and maintenance costs will be cheaper in the long run, so crunch the numbers for your likely ownership and usage to see how it works out.
If you’re considering making the switch, it’s certainly worth test driving an electric van to see if it would suit your business.
Similar vehicles
Vauxhall Vivaro Electric | Citroën ë-Dispatch | Ford Transit Custom | Peugeot e-Expert | Volkswagen ABT e-Transporter | Renault Trafic E-Tech | Maxus eDeliver 3 | Toyota Proace Electric
Key specifications
Model as tested: Mercedes-Benz eVito Tourer L2, £75,048
Engine: 100kWh battery, 204bhp, 362Nm
Engine: 66kWh battery, 114bhp
Load area dimensions (L2): 2,831mm (L) x 1,685mm (W) x 1,391mm (H)
Load area dimensions (L3): 3,061mm (L) x 1,685mm (W) x 1,391mm (H)
Max payload: 749kg – 807kg
Towing capacity: 0kg
Vehicle dimensions (L2): 5,140mm (L) x 2,249mm (W) x 1,910mm (H)
Vehicle dimensions (L2): 5,370mm (L) x 2,249mm (W) x 1,910mm (H)
Ground clearance: 116mm
Range: 162 (WLTP)
Warranty: Unlimited mileage / 3 year warranty, 160,000km / 8 year battery guarantee
