Mercedes Teases New Electric Vans by Taking Them on a European Road Trip

Mercedes Teases New Electric Vans by Taking Them on a European Road Trip originally appeared on Autoblog.

The electric van tackles the Eurotrip

Mercedes-Benz gave curious customers and enthusiasts an update on one of its future vehicles on July 2. New photos show heavily camouflaged versions of the three-pointed star’s upcoming all-electric VLE vans on the streets of Rome following a test that saw it traverse over 1,090 kilometers (~677 miles) across Europe from its technical home in Stuttgart.

The test served as a preview for vehicles that will soon be produced on the automaker’s new “modular and scalable” electric Van Architecture, which will underpin models described as the “next generation” of “Grand Limousines and commercial transporters,” adaptable to meet particular customer needs. The vehicle tested on the ultra-long drive was the VLE, a van that is said to be configurable for up to eight seats, including “flexible vehicles for families and leisure active customers to exclusive VIP shuttles.”

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The VLE’s journey from Stuttgart to Rome was not intended to be a picturesque photoshoot with a van with funky graphics, nor was it some sort of Roman holiday for Mercedes engineers using company property; some serious real-world usability testing was conducted.Previous expeditions included cold-weather testing in Sweden and a northern route from Stuttgart to Norway’s North Cape.

The road trip was a test of the van’s performance under the kind of conditions a theoretical van driver would undertake including a wide range of altitudes, extreme temperature changes from 11°C (52°F) in Germany to 33°C (91°F) in Rome, as well as a diverse variety of roads that included Alpine passes, highways, country roads, and narrow European city streets.

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On the road, engineers measured the vehicle’s drivetrain performance, regenerative braking efficiency, and thermal management as it encountered various conditions. One particular feature that engineers liked was the VLE’s rear-axle steering, which was helpful on both winding mountain roads and in the tight, cramped streets of Rome.

“Our future MPVs have once again impressively demonstrated their suitability for everyday use on the long-distance route,” said Dr. Andreas Zygan, Head of Development at Mercedes-Benz Vans. “With just two short charging stops from Stuttgart to the Alps to Rome, the Mercedes-Benz VLE demonstrates impressive efficiency of the new Van Electric Architecture.”

Even with these hurdles, the VLE completed the 13-hour journey while keeping the cabin at a reasonably comfortable temperature and stopping only twice to charge, which took 15 minutes each.

Final thoughts

Mercedes-Benz plans to launch its VAN.EA-based vehicles in 2026, which it calls a “completely new era” for its van lineup. According to Mercedes, there will be a clear distinction between its passenger and utility vans and what it calls Grand Limousines. Last month, Mercedes showed off what such “Grandness” could look like in the form of the Vision V concept, a luxurious van concept that features a “Private Lounge” for passengers.

I do not fathom any sort of “personal use” for vans like the VLE or VLS, nor am I a certified member of #vanlife. Still, it is impressive to know that one of the van leaders is ready to tackle the electric era with a vehicle capable of the extreme adventures it might have to tackle in everyday use.

Mercedes Teases New Electric Vans by Taking Them on a European Road Trip first appeared on Autoblog on Jul 3, 2025

This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jul 3, 2025, where it first appeared.