Mercedes-Benz eVito’s Batteries Learn To Cope With Low Temps

Launched last November and with deliveries scheduled for the second half of the year, the Mercedes-Benz eVito is the first electric vehicle from the brand’s Vans division.

It has a claimed range of 150km (93 miles), which comes courtesy of a 41.4kWh battery, but when temperatures drop severely, it will have to be charged every 100 km (62 miles) or so.

This is the conclusion reached by a team of engineers, after taking the new eVito to Arjeplog, Sweden, near the Polar Circle, for a round of extreme temperature testing. The electric van had its handling, efficiency, ergonomics and comfort checked, but the main focus was on the battery.

In temperatures down to -30C (-22F), the 2018 Mercedes-Benz eVito performed well, but testing will continue in sunny Spain, where the zero-emission vehicle will have to face temperatures of up to 35C (95F) in the shade.

Pricing for the electric van starts from €39,990 ($49,185) before tax, in Germany. The automaker says that the first 1,000 customers will be rewarded with a special service package that includes the WallBox, which provides fast charging for the battery.

The eVito is only the tip of the iceberg of the Mercedes-Benz Vans division, as their plan is to launch an electric version of the Sprinter next year. The eSprinter will be followed by the eCitan, which is basically a Renault Kangoo with Mercedes badges.

Renault already offers the Kangoo Z.E. 33 with an electric motor, and a NEDC-estimated range of up to 274 km (170 miles), but in the real world, the vehicle can travel for up to 200km (124 miles) on a single charge.