Van life isn’t new to Mercedes-Benz, but the new EQV van—one of the first electric camper vans to come to market—aims to make luxury glamping synonymous with sustainability.
German automaker Mercedes-Benz is kicking off 2022 with a nod to the future. First, its EQXX concept car made headlines with its 600-plus mile range per charge. And now, the Sprinter van producer is showcasing a modified version of its EQV, courtesy of Switzerland’s Sortimo Walter Rüegg PLC.
The electric van debuted in 2019 as an eco alternative to the V-Class. It’s seen a number of re-toolings in the years since its launch. The newest reimagining sees the EQV transform into a comfortable respite for road adventurers.
The Mercedez-Benz EQV
“The motorhome market is of strategic importance for Mercedes‑Benz Vans,” Klaus Rehkugler, head of sales and marketing Mercedes‑Benz Vans, said in a statement. “We want to continue to grow here and play a pioneering role in terms of innovation and sustainability. For us it is clear: The future is electric, also in the motorhome industry!”
The newest addition to the EQV is the pop-up roof, allowing the van to comfortably sleep four, including the fold-out lower cabin bed. The tailgate kitchen features a refrigerator, sink, and two-burner gas stove. The roof can hold two solar panels, able to generate 400 watts.
Powertrain batteries depend on the model; the EQV 300 brings a 90 kWh battery with a 225.6-mile range, and the EQV 250 features a 60 kWh battery with a range of just under 150 miles. But range also depends on overall weight. The vans come in two sizes, 16.86-foot or 17.62-foot.
The news comes as Mercedes-Benz saw a banner 2021 for electric vehicles. According to the automaker, it delivered a record-high number of plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles—more than 227,000 for a nearly 70 percent increase in sales over the previous 12 months. Sales of fully electric cars were up 154 percent. Last August, Mercedes-Benz began taking orders for its highly-anticipated EQS, with orders surpassing 16,000 to date.
The new electric van also follows the debut of the Virgil Abloh-designed Maybach concept as well as the recent EQXX, both highlighting the future direction for the brand.
Mercedes-Benz EV sales
”In a challenging year, Maybach, AMG and G-Class vehicles posted new records. Order intake for the EQS, the longest-range EV on the market today, is very encouraging and production of the first all-electric AMG kicked off in December, starting a new chapter for our electric flagship. This strong global demand for all our brands gives Mercedes-Benz the tailwinds to accelerate into a new electric era,” Britta Seeger, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG responsible for Marketing and Sales, said in a statement.
According to Klaus Rehkugler, Head of Marketing and Sales at Mercedes-Benz Vans, 2021 saw the automaker achieve “a remarkable result for Mercedes-Benz Vans,” even despite the impact from several pandemic-induced challenges.
“Customer demand remains consistently high and our order intake for commercial and private all-electric vans is ever increasing,” Rehkugler said. “In addition, in Europe the all-new Citan was launched as a panel van and tourer in the 4th quarter and was voted ‘International Van of the Year 2022’ immediately after its market launch.”
At present, the Sortimo design conversions are only available in Switzerland. With the van prices between $65,000 and $99,000 depending on length, costs with the conversions put the van total at close to $110,000.