Mercedes-Benz is adjusting its timeline for all of its new van models to be electric from 2026, confirming that it will continue producing electric and diesel-fuelled models in the coming years.
Moving away from a commitment made in 2023 to an exclusively electric lineup, all newly developed vans from 2026 onwards will be built on a single modular platform, allowing the company to offer both powertrains efficiently.
The Mercedes-Benz Van Architecture will underpin all future models, beginning with the Van Electric Architecture (VAN.EA), which was initially developed as the foundation for a fully electric future. However, Mercedes has now introduced a second variant, the Van Combustion Architecture (VAN.CA), which will share around 70% of its components with the electric version.
Both will be produced on the same assembly line, allowing for economies of scale while giving customers the flexibility to choose between electric and combustion options.
VAN.EA: Originally designed for an EV-only future
VAN.EA was developed from the ground up as a dedicated electric platform with a modular, three-section design to allow for different vehicle sizes and battery configurations. The front module houses the electric powertrain and axle, the centre module accommodates battery packs, and the rear module is either fitted with an additional motor for all-wheel-drive or left empty for front-wheel-drive models.
Mercedes had previously positioned it as a long-term solution for commercial vehicles, offering high efficiency, extended range, and flexibility for specialist applications such as delivery vehicles, ambulances, and even recreational vehicles.
The platform was also intended to support autonomous driving, launching with Level 2 capabilities and potentially reaching Level 4 — meaning full self-driving without human input — by the end of the decade. Mercedes had also targeted significant CO₂ reductions in its van lifecycle, aiming for more than half of its light commercial vehicle (LCV) sales to be electric by 2030.
Why Mercedes changed course
Despite the push for electrification, demand for traditional diesel-fuelled vans remains strong, particularly in sectors where charging infrastructure is limited or businesses require greater flexibility. While Mercedes has seen growth in electric van sales, figures remain modest — globally, fewer than 5% of the 405,600 Mercedes vans sold
last year were electric.
By integrating combustion engine models into the same Van.CA modular platform, Mercedes can avoid running separate development programs, keeping costs in check while maintaining a broad product range. The move also reflects wider industry trends, where van manufacturers balance electric ambitions with lacklustre customer demand.
What this means for future Mercedes vans
The shift to a dual-powertrain approach using closely related platforms creates an opportunity to keep owner-operator and SME customers happy, delivering commercial workhorses at a lower cost while still providing modular, scalable solutions for fleet operators.
Of course, it also allows Mercedes to keep selling its vans, securing a competitive market position for the future while it waits for eLCV demand to increase across a very sceptical market.
Both VAN.EA and VAN.CA models are set to roll out in 2026.
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