Electric powered roadside support unit launched by Mercedes-Benz Vans

A 24-hour roadside assistance pilot using the electric e-Sprinter has been launched in London by Mercedes-Benz Vans.

The Mercedes-Benz eSprinter is kitted out in the same way as the diesel-engined vehicles that provide the same service and is being operated from the Marshall Van Croydon dealership in south London.

Simon Neill, customer operations director at Mercedes-Benz Vans UK, said: “We’re really pleased to have added the first electric roadside assistance vehicle to the fleet of around 180 vans operating nationwide.

“It’s important to demonstrate to customers for our eSprinter and eVito models that we can fully support them with an electric van.

“The vision, on completion of this pilot, is to introduce more eSprinters to the fleet nationally where appropriate.

“We’re also planning, later this year, to set our first eSprinter based mobile servicing unit on the road.”

The eSprinter’s 55kW high-voltage battery pack is mounted beneath the body allowing the space needed in the cargo area to provide technicians with a practical workspace and to carry equipment and parts.

The van will travel 95 miles (combined WLTP with 80 km/h speed limiter) on a single charge, which Mercedes-Benz Vans says is ample for the overwhelming majority of roadside call-outs attended by Marshall Van and other members of the Mercedes-Benz Vans network.

Marshall Van Croydon dealer principal, Mark Effenberg, said: “We are very proud to have been chosen by Mercedes-Benz Vans UK to take part in this exciting pilot project.”

The average response time for the Mercedes-Benz Vans roadside assistance unit is 66 minutes, with 87% of vans fixed at the roadside and sent on their way.

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