Mercedes-Benz shares cost of the its new eSprinter van, is it worth a camper conversion?
Is a viable option for electric van life finally here? Possibly! Earlier today, Mercedes-Benz shared more details of its 2024 eSprinter Van refresh, including a more accurate range estimate (although still not official). What is official is the pricing, however, and when compared with its other specs, we may see some van enthusiasts consider a conversion.
The eSprinter is an all-electric version of Mercedes-Benz’s long running last-mile van that debuted in 2018 and hit the streets of Europe a year later. We constantly comment about how the EV community sees a large, all-electric van and immediately starts inquiring about camping versions, but this first generation model was not up to snuff.
With battery packs options of 41 kWh and 55 kWh, the original eSprinter Van could only deliver 115 km (71 miles) or 150 km (93 miles) of range, respectively. Not ideal for trips beyond neighborhood deliveries or service appointments and certainly well below the necessary range for road trips.
In 2020, Mercedes-Benz promised a eSprinter refresh atop a new EV platform, vowing to deliver significantly better range and efficiency… oh and word that it would be sold in North America in the second half of 2023.
Since then, we’ve learned that the second-generation eSprinter is getting a major battery upgrade as large as 113 kWh, capable of delivering range close to 500 km (311 miles), based on TÜV SÜD testing we reported on last November.
Today’s announcement is touting lower range than that, but still a major upgrade compared to the last eSprinter Van. Alongside official pricing, it may still be worth a genuine look as an electric camper.
Mercedes’ next-gen eSprinter van starts under $72K
Mercedes-Benz USA is celebrating the arrival of the second-generation eSprinter as the automaker’s first all-electric van to enter the North American market. To begin, Mercedes is launching a 170” wheelbase cargo van version, complete with a high roof and the aforementioned 113 kWh lithium/iron phosphate (LFP) battery.
Today’s release was focused on the larger battery launch version, but Mercedes-Benz shared the following when it announced the 2024 eSprinter van refresh back in February:
Customers can choose between three different batteries for the new Mercedes-Benz eSprinter, depending on their individual range and payload requirements: a battery with a usable capacity of 56, 81, or 113 kilowatt hours. Lithium/iron phosphate (LFP) cell chemistry allows the battery variants to be kept free of cobalt and nickel, while active thermal management ensures maximum efficiency.
Mercedes states the on-board AC charger has a maximum charging power of 9.6 kW, while the max charging rate at DC fast charger stations is up to 50 kW. That being said, future van owners can opt for the DCFC upgrade which can garner rates up to 115 kW. the automaker states those rates can replenish the eSprinter’s battery to charge from 10-80% in just over 40 minutes. We’d recommend splurging for the charging upgrade, especially if you seriously are considering converting this electric van into a camper.
Still, this isn’t the cheapest EV for the performance you get, although it is essentially a blank canvas for you to customize for your lifestyle, another huge perk. The 2024 eSprinter van starts at an MSRP of $71,886 for the standard charging capabilities and $75,316 for the “High Output” version. Neither price includes $2,295 destination and delivery charges.
According to Mercedes-Benz, the 2024 eSprinter van with the 113 kWh battery is available for purchase starting today. What do you think? Is it worth converting to a camper for its range and price?
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The Stripe logo on a smartphone with U.S. dollar banknotes in the background.
Budrul Chukrut | SOPA Images | LightRocket via Getty Images
Stripe cut 300 jobs, representing about 3.5% of its workforce, mostly in product, engineering and operations, CNBC has confirmed.
The payments company, valued at about $70 billion in the private markets, still expects to increase headcount by 10,000 by the end of the year, which would be a 17% increase, and is “not slowing down hiring,” according to a memo to staff from Chief People Office Rob McIntosh. Business Insider reported earlier on the cuts and the memo.
A Stripe spokesperson also confirmed to CNBC that a cartoon image of a duck with text that read, “US-Non-California Duck,” was accidentally attached as a PDF to emails sent to some of the employees who were laid off. Some of the emails mistakenly provided affected employees with an incorrect termination date, the spokesperson said.
McIntosh sent a follow-up email to staffers apologizing for the “notification error” and “any confusion it caused.”
“Corrected and full notifications have since been sent to all impacted Stripes,” he wrote.
In 2022, Stripe cut roughly 1,100 jobs, or 14% of its workers, downsizing alongside most of the tech industry, as soaring inflation and rising interest rates forced companies to focus on profits over growth. The Information reported that Stripe had a few dozen layoffs in its recruiting department in 2023.
Stripe’s valuation sank from a peak of $95 billion in 2021 to $50 billion in 2023, before reportedly rebounding to $70 billion last year as part of a secondary share sale. The company ranked third on last year’s CNBC Disruptor 50 list.
In October, Stripe agreed to pay $1.1 billion for crypto startup Bridge Network, whose technology is focused on making it easy for businesses to transact using digital currencies.
Brothers Patrick and John Collison, who founded Stripe in 2010, have intentionally steered clear of the public markets and have given no indication that an offering is on the near-term horizon. Total payment volume at the company surpassed $1 trillion in 2023.
WATCH: Early Bridge investor weighs in on $1.1 billion Stripe deal
Thinking about upgrading your EV? Rivian (RIVN) launched a new promo on Tuesday, offering up to $6,000 to upgrade your R1S or R1T. Here’s how you can snag some savings.
Rivian R1S and R1T upgrade deal offers up to $6,000
Rivian delivered over 51,500 vehicles last year as the EV maker gains momentum. Although it was only slightly higher than the ~50,100 delivered in 2023, Rivian is expected to see even more growth this year.
After shutting down its Normal, IL manufacturing plant last April and renegotiating supplier contracts, Rivian has seen “significant cost improvements,” according to CEO RJ Scaringe.
Rivian also began delivering its next-gen R1S and R1T models last year. The new Large and Max battery packs have redesigned modules and more efficient packaging, “making them easier to manufacture and service.” For example, Rivian’s new EVs use seven ECUs, down from 17 in the first-generation R1T and R1S.
With new plant upgrades, reworked supplier contracts, and more efficient vehicles, Rivian is now passing the savings on to customers.
Rivian introduced a new promo on Tuesday, offering up to $6,000 to upgrade your R1T or R1S. The bonus amount varies by trim:
- Tri with Max battery: $6,000 USD / CAD 8,600
- Dual with Max battery and Performance upgrade: $4,500 USD / CAD 6,500
- Dual with Max battery: $3,000 USD / CAD 4,300
The offer is for current R1T or R1S owners or lessees in the US and Canada. Rivian launched the new promo on January 21, and it runs through March 31, 2025.
After you purchase or lease a qualifying vehicle, Rivian will apply a discount toward the MSRP. You must take delivery by March 31, 2025. In the fine print, Rivian stated, “You must request a trade-in estimate to qualify for this offer, but trade-in of a vehicle is not required.”
Any other models are excluded from the offer. These include Dual Standard configurations, Dual with Large battery configurations, custom builds, demo vehicles, and pre-owned vehicles.
The new offer follows Rivian’s previous upgrade promo introduced last October, giving qualifying gas-powered vehicle owners or lessees up to $3,000.
Check out the Rivian R1 Shop to view eligible models. You can see eligible Rivian R1S here and R1T models here.
Electrek’s Take
Rivian’s R1S was already the tenth best-selling electric vehicle in the US last year, with nearly 27,000 models sold. With more driving range and power at a lower cost, the electric SUV could see even more demand in 2025.
Then again, with the arrival of new luxury electric SUVs, like the Jeep Wagoneer S and Volvo EX90, Rivian will face more competition in the US.
Rivian’s latest promo comes as the Company looks to carry the momentum from the end of 2024 into the new year. The EV maker is offering other deals, including 1.99% APR for 60 months on the R1 Dual with a Max Battery and Performance upgrade.
Even if you are not eligible for the promo, we can still help you find deals on Rivian’s electric SUV in your area. You can use our links below to view offers on the Rivian R1S and R1T near you today.
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