Mercedes doubles down on electric vans and buses, considers fuel cells

As the demonization of diesel continues across much of Europe, manufacturers are rushing to introduce a range of options to power tomorrow's delivery vehicles. While petrol engines are a short-term possibility in smaller vehicles, larger commercial vehicles are increasingly turning towards electric drive.

Mercedes-Benz Vans is the latest manufacturer to make its future plans clear, launching an eVito towards the end of this year and a larger eSprinter in 2019. The eVito will be available in two wheelbases, offering 6.0 m3 or 6.6 m3 of load volume, while the eSprinter will be based on the firm's short wheelbase mid-height van, providing 10.5 m3 of load space. Both models will be powered by lithium-ion battery packs, already used in Mercedes' S-Class plug-in hybrid car, mounted below the load floor.