Hopefully you caught my drift with the headline, but just like Danny DeVito, despite its smaller silhouette, the Mercedes-Benz eVito panel van is big on personality and great at its job. This fully-electric van offers businesses and fleet managers an attractive package, combining renowned Mercedes-Benz engineering with zero-emission driving, impressive around-town range, and versatile practicality.
Of course the eVito’s standout feature is the electric powertrain, so that seems to be a great place to begin. Its 60kWh battery pack powers an electric motor that produces 85kW and 360Nm of torque, and while these figures may not produce neck-breaking speeds, they translate into remarkable efficiency and smooth acceleration - so ideal for city driving and short-to-medium-haul deliveries.
In terms of range, the eVito generates upto 259km on a full charge, ensuring businesses can cover significant distances before needing to recharge, which incidentally takes a mere 35 minutes on 80 kW DC fast charge (AC charging 11 kW). Moreover, the innovative regenerative braking system (with steering wheel paddles for easy variability) helps to replenish the battery while on the move, maximising overall efficiency and extending driving range.
Mercedes-Benz has retained the eVito’s inherent practicality and cargo-carrying capability. The van features the same generous dimensions as its combustion counterparts, offering a cargo volume of either 2.83m length/6 cubic metres MWB and a payload capacity of 923 kg. Additional load space under the bulkhead can also be accessed for longer cargo items.
Access to the spacious cargo area comes via dual sliding doors, (my review model had an optional glass window on the passenger side slider which added to the van’s visibility) and a large vertical lift tailgate. This versatility ensures businesses can transport goods efficiently, whether it be parcels, equipment, or supplies. Load height is below the knee too, minimising the strain of loading heavy items.
The eVito’s lithium-ion battery pack is strategically located under the vehicle’s chassis, ensuring it doesn’t encroach on the cargo space. Consequently, the electric variant maintains significant load-carrying potential, making it an ideal choice for urban delivery services.
The continuous partition on the B-pillar with window allows a view into the load compartment or a view to the rear in conjunction with windows in the tailgate or in the rear doors. It also protects the driver’s compartment against soiling, dust and noise. And while on that subject, the cockpit itself is spacious and furnished with hard wearing materials, while the seats come in a durable cloth with armrests too. There are plenty of cubby holes for paperwork, pens and work stuff and staring down at the Mercedes-Benz star logo as you drive brightens the day no end.
As expected from a Mercedes-Benz vehicle, the eVito boasts advanced safety features to protect occupants and enhance overall peace of mind. Standard safety systems include active brake assist, attention assist, lane-keeping assist, and crosswind assist. Additionally, optional features such as adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring can further enhance safety on the road. And to keep you amused while driving, the standard Audio 30 multimedia systems via a touchscreen is both intuitive and convenient, although a far cry from their passenger vehicle tech.
Despite the brochure claiming 259km range, I picked up the eVito with its central digital TFT forecasting 200km, however, after 10 minutes of driving I actually gained 15km. And in all honesty, my white all-electric panel van did just that. I travelled from Albany to Mt Wellington a couple of times and spent the remainder of my time tinkering around the neighbourhood as I assumed a panel van would, and never needed to recharge. It felt more stoic on the harbour bridge than an ICE version would and although not car fast, it still managed to beat a few ‘competitors’ at the on ramp lights.
The Mercedes-Benz eVito van represents the next generation of emission-free commercial vehicles and if your business is a local one, this electric van is both handy and dandy.
