Mercedes teases electric VAN.EA prototype as testing goes underway

Mercedes-Benz Vans - the commercial side of Mercedes - lifted the curtain off its new VAN.EA platform. Starting in 2026, all newly developed medium and large vans from the German automaker will be based on the scalable electric architecture.

The VAN.EA platform Van Electric Architecture, is designed for versatility. It will underpin a wide range of vans, from luxury private vehicles to premium commercial models.This will allow Mercedes-Benz to cater to diverse needs while streamlining its production process. The platform will support both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations, providing further flexibility.

All VAN.EA-based vehicles will feature the latest version of the Mercedes-Benz OS, promising a state-of-the-art digital experience. Every VAN.EA vehicle will feature 800V architecture and 22 kW AC charging.

Mercedes-Benz is already putting VAN.EA prototypes through their paces. Last June, a specially constructed test vehicle embarked on a long-distance journey from Stuttgart to the North Cape. This grueling trip focused on evaluating the chassis, electric powertrain, battery, and high-voltage components under a number of different environments. The next major test phase will involve winter testing in Sweden, where the prototypes will face the challenges of extreme cold and icy roads.

The development of the VAN.EA platform is a major investment in the future of electric vans. By creating a modular and scalable architecture, Mercedes-Benz can efficiently develop a wide range of electric vans to meet the evolving needs of its customers.

Source