Mercedes-Benz Vans has received its most significant EV order to date. The German manufacturer will deliver 5,000 electric vans to Amazon’s European delivery partners. Three-quarters of which are the larger eSprinter, while the rest of the order consists of eVito panel vans. The vehicles will be delivered in the coming months.
As the American e-commerce giant Amazon strengthens its position in Europe, its electrified fleet also grows. After ordering 200 Mercedes eActros 600 e-trucks to transport its packages across its German and UK distribution networks, the company will also utilize Mercedes electric vans for last-mile deliveries.
75% eSprinter and 25% eVito
In total, nearly 5,000 electric Mercedes-Benz Vans will join Amazon’s delivery network in the coming months. This follows an initial order of 1,800 electric eVito and eSprinter vehicles in 2020, when Mercedes-Benz joined Amazon’s ‘The Climate Pledge’, promising carbon neutrality by 2040.
75% of the order will consist of the eSprinter, Mercedes’ largest van with a cargo capacity of up to 14 m³ and an electric range of up to 484 km, thanks to a 113 kWh LFP battery.
The battery is built into the underfloor, which means no compromise on cargo volume. There is a payload penalty, but these package delivery vans are rarely limited in terms of weight.
The remaining 25% comes from the eVito, the mid-size van made for urban environments. It features a 90 kWh battery with a WLTP range of up to 480 km. The cargo space is limited to 6.6 m³.
Mostly for Germany
The 5,000 vehicles will be delivered to Amazon’s ‘Delivery Service Partners’, meaning self-employed couriers or transport companies, in the coming months. More than half of the electric vans are destined for Germany, although the order covers five European countries. Amazon expects these vehicles to deliver more than 200 million parcels annually.
Didn’t Amazon use Rivian vans?
And what about Amazon’s custom Rivian EDV vans, which started arriving in Europe nearly two years ago? Since then, there has been radio silence.
It appears that the American manufacturer is not yet ready to establish full-scale European operations. And with local manufacturers offering more and more electric models, with existing service networks and quick deliveries, Rivian might have missed its chance.
