Mercedes-Benz is known for making some of the world's most luxurious and powerful cars, but it also has a strong presence in the commercial vehicle market. The German automaker offers a range of vans, trucks, and buses for various purposes and customers. And now, it’s adding a new member to its electric family: the Mercedes-Benz eCitan.
The Mercedes-Benz eCitan is the electric version of the smallest transporter in the Mercedes-Benz portfolio, the Citan. It’s a compact van that can be used for urban delivery, service, or passenger transport. It’s also the first product of a new cooperation agreement between Mercedes-Benz and the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, which will see the two companies share platforms and technologies for future light commercial vehicles.
The Mercedes-Benz Citan electric van was unveiled in August 2021 and is expected to go on sale in Europe in mid-2022. It will be available in three different lengths (4.5 meters, 4.75 meters, and 4.95 meters) and two body variants (panel van and tourer). It will also offer a range of customization options, such as different roof heights, seating configurations, cargo space layouts, and equipment packages.
What's Under the Hood?
A front-mounted electric motor that produces 245 Nm (181 lb-ft) of torque and 75 kW (102 hp) of power powers the Mercedes-Benz eCitan. It can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 13.9 seconds and has a top speed of 130 km/h (81 mph). The motor is fed by a 44-kWh lithium-ion battery pack under the floor, giving the van a low center of gravity and not compromising the interior space.
The battery pack can provide a range of up to 285 km (177 miles) on the WLTP cycle, which is enough for most urban applications. It can also be fast-charged from 10% to 80% in about 40 minutes using a DC charger with up to 75 kW of power. Alternatively, it can be fully charged in about six hours using an AC wallbox with up to 11 kW of power.
The Mercedes-Benz Citan electric minivan also comes with an intelligent energy management system that optimizes the efficiency and performance of the electric drivetrain. It can adjust the power output based on the driving mode, road conditions, speed, and battery level. It can also recuperate energy during braking or coasting, which can extend the range by up to 10%.