ON TEST: MERCEDES-BENZ eVITO
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Rock-solid eVito delivers the goods for city businesses Andrew Walker relaxes in the comforting arms of Mercedes-Benz’s eVito
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ne of the first new electric vans to enter the fray was the MercedesBenz eVito, which arrived last summer. The entire range had been facelifted in 2019 and the eVito included all of the updates from the previous version. The electric eVito offers 85 (70) kW of power, 300 Nm of torque, a 91-mile average range and a six-hour charging time. This is based on three-phase charging, which is lucky, because CC&V uses a 7kW Rolec home charger, so we could really find out if this charging time was true. To keep things simple, the front-wheel drive eVito has been aligned with the current Vito range and offers a standard specification that mirrors the Pure model. Specification includes a height and rake adjustable steering wheel, Hill Start Assist, electrically adjustable heated exterior mirrors, sliding doors on both sides of the vehicle, wood flooring and an adaptive brake light. In addition, the eVito exclusively
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offers Mercedes PRO connect, which adds a heated driver’s seat, Tempmatic air conditioning, a four-metre charging cable, with a CanTrack vehicle tracker. The eVito is offered in two lengths, L2 or L3. Prices start from £39,895 ex VAT for the eVito Van Pure L2, increasing to £40,415 ex VAT for the eVito Van Pure L3. And currently, Home Fast Smart charge point and installation worth £549 is included with eVito purchases. As far as storage goes, the L2 model offers 6.0 m3 cargo volume, 2,277 kg kerb weight, 3,200 kg GVW, with a payload of 923 kg. The L3 offers 6.6 m3 cargo volume, 2,302 kg kerb weight, 3,200 kg GVW and a payload of 898 kg. If you want a bit more on your van, then you can always opt for the eVito Progressive. This adds colour-coded bumpers, full wheel covers, front fog lights, Headlight Assist, a 75mph speed limiter, Audio 15, lumbar support and electrically foldable mirrors. The eVito Progressive van L2 costs from £41,600 ex VAT and £42,120 ex VAT for the L3 variant. For both specification levels, Mercedes PRO connect, which we first experienced in the new Sprinter, comes as standard and it’s free for the first three years. Benefits for driver and fleet manager include Remote Access, Digital
Drivers’ Log, Drive Style monitoring, real-time variable servicing monitoring, parking time monitor and geo-fence options. As an electric van, the eVito benefits from pre-conditioning of the heaters and highlights the vehicle charging options nearby. So far so good, but what’s the eVito like to drive and what’s it’s real range? Well, from the outside it looks just like a standard Vito. We were testing the entry level Pure L2 and you’d be hard-pressed to know it’s an electric van unless you get up close and read the discreet eVito and eLECTRIC badging. Even the fuel cap is in the same place on the left hand side of the van. Inside, all seems familiar. You get the 2019 updated Vito interior, which includes two USBs and a heated front driver seat, but not proper AirCon. It was 30 degrees the week I drove the eVito and although AirCon will drain the battery, I was forced to drive with the windows open just to keep vaguely cool. There’s a three-seat configuration up front, as well as some top-of-the-dash storage, a decent glove box and two handy deep door pockets, but not anywhere to fit a large bottle or drinks container. The ignition is on the left. Continued on page 40
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