Changing of the van guard: Mercedes-Benz vans like V-Class, Vito, and EQV to go more upmarket, at least 50 per cent electric by 2030 in next generation

"Almost no other series in the Mercedes-Benz portfolio is so differentiated and has such a diverse customer base as the medium-sized vans," according to the German brand upon the reveal of the new look and strategy for some of its most versatile vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz is giving its mid-size vans, including the V-Class, Vito and eVito, and EQV, a refresh ahead of a total platform overhaul set to kick off in the second half of this decade.

Speaking to Australian media ahead of the reveal of the updated series of Mercedes vans, the brand's designers and executives outlined some of the surface details of the new vans' design highlights and features, including a strategy plan for the brand to achieve 50 per cent of its van sales as electric by the end of the decade.

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While the Mercedes mid-size vans revealed today are just a stepping stone to the new generation of purpose-built electric vans, the brand says they're important in ramping up to a new platform for its versatile V-Class and Vito.

"The aim is to fully implement this strategic change with the introduction of the upcoming modular and scalable Van Electric Architecture (VAN.EA for short) from 2026 onwards," says Mercedes.

Mercedes-Benz is giving its mid-size vans, including the V-Class, Vito and eVito, and EQV, a refresh ahead of a total platform overhaul.

"The new mid-size vans mark an important intermediate step on this path."

As part of the journey on 'this path', Mercedes is leaning into its image as a luxury brand, upping the game for plush features when it comes to the passenger and private-use versions of its mid-size vans like the V-Class, EQV and Camper V-Class Marco Polo.

Highlights of the vans will largely depend on the specific model and variant in question.

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For example the passenger vans - V-Class, EQV, and Marco Polo - come with a pair of 12.3-inch multimedia displays and a new MBUX system.

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As part of the journey on ‘this path’, Mercedes is leaning into its image as a luxury brand.

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Upping the game for plush features when it comes to the passenger and private-use versions of its mid-size vans.

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Highlights of the vans will largely depend on the specific model and variant in question, for example the passenger vans - V-Class, EQV, and Marco Polo - come with a pair of 12.3-inch multimedia displays and a new MBUX system, keyless start, wireless phone charging, a more premium-bent centre console design, ambient lighting and upgraded interior trim.

Of course, the Marco Polo also comes fitted as a camping setup including pop-up roof with a bed, a bench seat/lounger, a folding table, a fully equipped kitchen and a wardrobe with a make-up mirror as standard.

Of course, the Marco Polo also comes fitted as a camping setup.

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Including pop-up roof with a bed, a bench seat/lounger, a folding table, a fully equipped kitchen and a wardrobe with a make-up mirror as standard.

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Even commercial-focused Vito and eVito vans will come with an updated 10.25-inch central touchscreen display and USB-C ports, keyless start and useful conveniences like surround-view parking and wireless charging for phones, optional or standard depending on the specific variant.

But the real highlight of the announcement from Mercedes is how much it points towards an electric van future - before the brand launches its new VAN.EA platform in 2026, it expects to hit around 20 per cent electric power for its vans sold - Australian media was told - before hitting 50 per cent by 2030.

So far, Mercedes says it’s sold more than 40,000 electric vans, with the eVito the most popular of its battery-electric van models.

So far, Mercedes says it's sold more than 40,000 electric vans, with the eVito the most popular of its battery-electric van models.

Mercedes' mid-size van footprint is relatively small in Australia, with only 477 Vito vans, 192 V-Class, and 5 EQV vans having sold in the first half of 2023. Locally, the larger Sprinter is much more popular, racking up 1647 sales in that time.