Mercedes-Benz eSprinter goes on sale in South Africa for the first time – Pricing and specifications

The electric Mercedes-Benz eSprinter is now available in South Africa for the very first time.

The battery-powered commercial van is pitched at businesses that are looking to eliminate tailpipe emissions from their daily operations.

It can be purchased exclusively through Mercedes-Benz South Africa in a variety of configurations spanning standard (SWB) and long-wheelbase (LWB) silhouettes, with its starting price pegged at R1,270,030.

Leading the charge

The eSprinter SWB is equipped with a 100kW e-motor on the rear axle powered by an 81kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery.

The LWB models are available with either a 100kW or 150kW e-motor connected to an 81kWh or 113kWh battery.

The 113kWh battery can achieve a range of as much as 530km in urban areas, however, Mercedes did not reveal the maximum driving potential of the other power packs.

All battery modules are protected by a crash-proof cover and feature an active thermal-management system with a heat pump as standard which controls the operating temperatures.

“This ensures, among other things, an optimised range and life cycle of the high-voltage batteries,” said the automaker.

The van supports a maximum 115kW DC charging speed, enabling the 81kWh pack to be replenished from 0-80% in 32 minutes, and the 113kWh pack in 42 minutes.

In addition, regenerative braking abilities convert kinetic energy back into electrical energy to recharge the battery during deceleration.

The system boasts a new DAUTO automatic recuperation setting which uses information from the radar, camera, and navigation to automatically adapt the strength of the recuperation in real-time.

There is also an Eco Assist setting that analyses whether there is a vehicle ahead, what the speed limit is, or whether the vehicle is approaching an incline, and indicates in the instrument cluster when one should decelerate. Depending on the situation, it also selects the appropriate recuperation strength.

Finally, three drive modes help the driver choose between maximum comfort or maximum range.

The eSprinter was developed through a tri-modular design philosophy comprising three key elements: a uniformly designed front module housing all high-voltage components, a space-saving underbody battery module, and a rear module containing the powerful electric motor.

In doing so, Mercedes has maximised passenger and cargo volume while also ensuring a low centre of gravity for improved handling.

The commercial vehicle now offers up to 1,400 litres of cargo space and can tow a peak load of two tonnes.

A selection of choice creature comforts are further included to sweeten the deal.

The eSprinter comes standard with semi-automatic airconditioning, a multifunction steering wheel, a heated driver’s seat, a touchscreen infotainment system, rain-sensing wipers, a headlight assistant, active brake assist, hill-start assist, crosswind assist, and intelligent speed assist with cruise control.