Mercedes Building Electric eVito Van in Spain

MADRID – Mercedes-Benz is assembling its eVito battery-electric light-commercial vehicle at its Vitoria, Spain, plant and says deliveries will begin in October.

The electric version of the midsize Vito van was unveiled in late 2017 but was reintroduced earlier this year at a sustainable-mobility conference in Bilbao in northern Spain. Reasons for the delayed production launch are not clear, although the Vitoria plant had to be remodeled to accommodate both the eVito and the EQV, a medium-duty electric van sold in the U.S. as the Metris.

The eVito initially will be available in two body versions, Van and Tourer, the latter with 8-9 seats. It also will be sold in two wheelbase lengths: the basic, 202-in. (5,140-mm) version

and a 211-in. (5,370-mm) version, both capable of carrying up to 2,235 lbs. (1,015 kg).

The eVito Van and Tourer share a three-phase, six-pole electric motor making 116 hp and 221 lb.-ft. (300 Nm) of torque. Energy is provided by three lithium-ion battery modules with an installed capacity of 41 kWh. Range is estimated at 93 miles (150 km) and the batteries can be fully recharged in just six hours, Mercedes-Benz says.

The starting price of eVito in Spain is $47,500 (€42,900).