Mercedes EQV - A new Electric Van

[JSH]

Mercedes seems to be finally on the move in the EV segment. They announced their new EQV today, an electric version of the V-Class van.

https://www.mercedes-benz.com/en/veh...s/concept-eqv/

https://jalopnik.com/the-2020-merced...n-t-1837403191



The follows the eSprinter

https://www.greencarreports.com/news...european-debut


The first eCascadia's going to customers

https://www.bizjournals.com/portland...-ready-to.html

The first eM2 going to customers

https://www.ttnews.com/articles/daim...c-truck-penske

[samwichse]

"Concept"

I was hoping they were actually selling it... there a lot of those box vans on the road.

[JSH]

Originally Posted by samwichse

"Concept"

I was hoping they were actually selling it... there a lot of those box vans on the road.

You can see the production version at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September. It is scheduled to go on sale in 2020 (as a 2020 model so early in the year)

[MetroMPG]

Nice to see another segment being electrified.


A comment on one of the articles suggests these will find commercial use as airport shuttles, etc.


Someone a few towns downriver is running an airport shuttle with a Model X, which he reportedly chose because he could use the free Supercharger at either end of his journey. "Free" fuel!

[NeilBlanchard]

Will this electric van be sold in the US?

[MetroMPG]

Unlikely - I don't think the ICE version is sold in North America, and the EV version will only sell at a fraction of that.

[JSH]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

Will this electric van be sold in the US?

I have no insider info on this but I would say - eventually but not initially.

The V-Class, Metris, and Vito are different names for the same vehicle. In the USA this van is called the Metris and went on sale a couple years ago. We have one as a pool car and it isn't bad but it is way overpriced.

So why wouldn't this come right away?

1. Models are almost never launched in all markets at the same time. Europe is Mercedes' largest market by far (40%) followed by China (28%) and then the USA (14%). New models generally roll out in the same order

2. The EU and China are pushing EV's, tightening fuel economy and emission standards. The USA is rolling back our standards. EVs will go first to countries with policies that encourage their adoption

3. The Chicken Tax. The vast majority of Mercedes vans sold in the USA are cargo vans. They are subject to a 25% import tariff. There would be a much greater chance of these EVs coming if they could be imported from the factory in Germany. With the Chicken Tax, Mercedes would have to set up the assembly plant in South Carolina to make EVS. I doubt they will do that with the very limited volume.

[JSH]

Originally Posted by samwichse

"Concept"

I was hoping they were actually selling it... there a lot of those box vans on the road.

Concept no more - the production version was shown at the Frankfurt Auto Show

https://www.mercedes-benz.com/en/eq/eqv/eqv/

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Doesn't look so bad, as it retains a more conventional appearance.