Mercedes-Benz has reached a major milestone on its path to electrified mobility as the first Mercedes VLE Electric Van has gone into pre-series production at the brand’s upgraded Vitoria plant in Spain. This is a key step before the model’s world premiere and series production in 2026.

A New Era on the VAN.EA Platform

The VLE is the first vehicle to be built on Mercedes’ new Van Electric Architecture (VAN.EA). This scalable and modular platform is part of the company’s strategy to move its mid-size and large vans to dedicated, electric-first foundations. With this move Mercedes aims for better efficiency, more interior space and seamless integration of next-gen technology.

Modernized Vitoria Plant in Spain

Production of the VLE starts at the Mercedes-Benz Vitoria facility in Spain’s Basque Country, which has been extensively modernized. More than 90% of the construction work is already completed and the plant will be a flexible production hub for both electric and combustion powered vans under VAN.EA and VAN.CA architectures.

Key Features of the Mercedes VLE Electric Van

• First Mercedes van to feature the new MB.OS infotainment and operating system
• Positioned as a premium all-electric MPV or “Grand Limousine” with up to 8 seats
• For families, business shuttles and luxury fleet operators
• Based on new VAN.EA platform for scalable efficiency and more range

Efficiency and Testing

Prototypes of the Mercedes VLE have already shown impressive efficiency. In real-world testing the van drove from Stuttgart to Rome – around 1,100 km – with just two short charging stops. This is a preview of a practical range expected to be between 400-480 km (250-300 miles) which is ahead of the outgoing EQV.

Expert Commentary

Thomas Klein, Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans, emphasized the achievement, stating that the VLE showcases “the first realization of our modular and highly flexible van architecture, achieved in record time from concept to production readiness.”

At the plant level, Bernd Krottmayer, head of the Vitoria site, praised the adaptability of the workforce: “The VLE signals a new era, and our team has shown remarkable speed and flexibility in achieving this milestone.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Andreas Zygan, Head of Development at Mercedes-Benz Vans, highlighted the efficiency gains: “The VLE proves the long-distance practicality of our future MPVs, redefining what customers can expect in everyday electric mobility.”

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Competitive Edge over the EQV

Looking Ahead

The Mercedes VLE Electric Van is slated for a full world premiere in the first half of 2026, immediately followed by the start of series production. By combining cutting-edge architecture, luxury orientation, and long-range capability, the VLE stands ready to redefine Mercedes-Benz’s role in the premium van segment.