Mercedes eVito Tourer Long 41 kWh

Overview

The 2020 Mercedes eVito Long 41 kWh was an early pioneer in electrifying the commercial people-mover segment. Aimed squarely at urban transport operators like airport shuttles and eco-conscious taxi firms, it wrapped Mercedes' robust build quality in a zero-emissions package. Its key selling point was its practicality and nine-seat capacity for navigating low-emission zones. As a discontinued model, it now represents a budget-friendly entry into the commercial EV world, with used examples fetching around €21,890. However, its very limited range makes it a highly specialized tool for predictable, short-haul routes only.

What's New for 2020?

For the 2020 model year, this specific 41 kWh version of the eVito was essentially in its final production run. There were no significant feature updates; instead, 2020 was the year Mercedes announced this model's far more capable successor. A heavily revised eVito Tourer with a much larger 90 kWh battery was on the horizon, promising to solve the significant range limitations of this early version. Therefore, this 2020 model isn't defined by new tech, but rather as the final iteration before the eVito received a game-changing battery and performance upgrade.

Design & Exterior

The 2020 eVito plays it cool, looking almost identical to its diesel-powered Vito sibling, a deliberate move to not intimidate commercial buyers. It's a design driven by function, not flair. As the 'Long' variant, it's a sizeable machine, measuring 5,140 mm in length, 1,928 mm in width, and standing 1,934 mm tall, giving it a commanding presence. The design is clean and professional, with the only real visual clue to its electric powertrain being the discreet charging port located on the front left side of the bumper, ready for a plug-in.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Inside, the eVito is all business, favouring hard-wearing, durable materials over plush luxury to withstand the daily grind of commercial life. It’s a true nine-seater minivan, offering impressive passenger space across its three rows. The main event is the cargo space; even with all seats up, you get a substantial 990 litres in the boot. Fold the seats away, and you unleash a cavernous 4,630-litre van. There's no frunk for extra storage, though. Tech is functional rather than fancy, typically featuring a basic infotainment system without the advanced MBUX experience of Mercedes' passenger cars.

Performance & Driving Experience

Don't let the 16-second 0-100 km/h time fool you; the eVito feels surprisingly nippy in its natural habitat. The single front-wheel-drive Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor delivers 85 kW and, more importantly, 295 Nm of instant torque. This makes it feel responsive and quick off the line in city traffic. The driving experience is incredibly smooth and quiet, a huge upgrade over a diesel van. Ride comfort is excellent for a commercial vehicle, though the top speed is limited to 120 km/h to maximize its limited battery range, reinforcing its urban-focused mission.

Range, Battery & Charging

This is the eVito's defining characteristic: it's a short-range specialist. The 35 kWh usable battery pack provides a real-world range estimated by Green Cars Compare at around 124 km, with an efficiency of 3.54 km/kWh. Charging is handled exclusively via its Type 2 AC port at a maximum of 7.4 kW, meaning a full recharge from empty takes approximately 6 hours – perfect for overnight charging. Critically, this model has no DC fast-charging capability whatsoever, making it entirely dependent on AC power and unsuitable for quick top-ups or long-distance travel.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

While this commercial van was not rated under the standard Euro NCAP passenger car protocol, it's built on a solid foundation. Standard safety kit was often focused on the basics, including Crosswind Assist for stability and Attention Assist to monitor driver fatigue. For more advanced features, you had to dive into the options list. Crucial driver aids like Active Brake Assist, Blind Spot Assist, and Lane Keeping Assist were typically bundled in optional packages, so it’s essential to check the specific configuration of any pre-owned model to see what's included.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

From the factory, the eVito was covered by Mercedes' standard 2-year, unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty in Europe. The crucial high-voltage battery received a much longer warranty, typically for 8 years or 160,000 km, guaranteeing it against significant degradation. One of the biggest ownership perks is reduced maintenance. With no engine oil to change, spark plugs to replace, or exhaust systems to fail, running costs are significantly lower than its diesel counterpart. This means less workshop downtime and more money in the pocket, a major plus for any commercial operator.