Mercedes-Benz tests new electric vans with Van.Ea architecture from Stuttgart to Rome

Mercedes-Benz has been testing its electric vans with the innovative Van.Ea architecture, to be implemented starting from next year, on road and under real life conditions. The German carmaker announced the completion of a significant test with the van running from Stuttgart to Rome, covering abou 1,100 km “with just two short charging stops of 15 minutes each”, according to Mercedes.

More into details, the Mercedes‑Benz VLE (this is the name of the van) was able to cover the 1,090 ‑ kilometer route from Stuttgart to Rome in flowing traffic in around 13 hours. At the start in Stuttgart, the outside temperature was 11 degrees Celsius, while the arrival in Rome took place at 33 degrees. The van interior was air-conditioned to 22 degrees throughout the entire route.

Mercedes Van.Ea architecture: the first on road tests

Test drives such as the long-distance route from Stuttgart to Rome are part of a comprehensive program for testing the performance of the overall vehicle, which includes numerous climatic zones and route profiles. In addition to digital validation of the maturity level and tests in state-of-the-art test facilities at the Mercedes‑Benz Vans development campus in Stuttgart/Untertürkheim, the development vehicles are put through their paces in real operation on the road.

Starting 2026, Mercedes‑Benz will introduce its newly developed, modular and scalable Van Architecture. “Our future MPVs have once again impressively demonstrated their suitability for everyday use on the long-distance route. 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”, commented Andreas Zygan, Head of Development Mercedes-Benz Vans.