Mercedes-Benz announced that it is going to accelerate electrification in European manufacturing sites. The automaker intends to phase out fossil fuels and make only all-electric vehicles. By the middle of this decade, the manufacturing of vans will be only all-electric vans only.
Mercedes-Benz Vans’ lineup currently consists of electric options of mid-size and large-size vans, which soon will be joined also by small-size electric vans. They are, eVito Panel Van and eVito Tourer, eSprinter, EQV, eCitan, and EQT. In the second half of 2023, the company will introduce the next-generation all-electric Mercedes-Benz eSprinter, based on the Electric Versatility Platform (EVP), which will be produced at three sites. There are Düsseldorf, and Ludwigsfelde in Germany and Ladson/North Charleston in South Carolina.
In 2025, Mercedes-Benz Vans intends to launch a completely new, modular, all-electric van architecture called VAN.EA (MB Vans Electric Architecture) for medium-sized and large vans. One of the main points of the new plan is to maintain production of large vans (eSprinter) in Germany, despite increasing costs, while at the same time add an additional manufacturing facility at an existing Mercedes‑Benz site in Central/Eastern Europe – potentially in Kecskemet, Hungary, according to Automotive News. The new facility is planned to produce two models, one based on the VAN.EA and one based on the second generation electric van, Rivian Light Van (RLV) platform – under a new joint venture agreement.
Partnership with Rivian
The Düsseldorf plant, which is the largest Mercedes‑Benz Vans production plant, is also set to produce a large electric van, based on the VAN.EA: The open body styles (platform for bodybuilders or flatbeds). The company intends to invest a total of €400 million ($402 million) to handle the new EVs.
Mercedes-Benz Vans, a full-range provider of electric private & commercial vans has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian to initiate a strategic partnership. Subject to the parties entering into final binding agreements and obtaining the relevant regulatory clearances, the partners intend to establish a new joint venture manufacturing company with the purpose of investing in and operating, a factory in Europe to produce large electric vans for both Mercedes-Benz Vans and Rivian, starting in a few years.
The aim is to build an all-new electric-only production facility leveraging an existing Mercedes-Benz site in Central/Eastern Europe. They envision production-optimized vehicle designs for efficient manufacturing on common assembly lines. They will produce two large vans, one based on VAN.EA (MB Vans Electric Architecture), the electric-only platform of Mercedes-Benz Vans, and the other is based on the second generation electric van, Rivian Light Van (RLV) platform. Further options for increased synergies from the joint venture will also be explored.
