Mercedes-Benz’s next-gen, factory-built electric camper vans are coming soon

A slew of new factory-warrantied Mercedes-Benz electric campervans could be coming to the US in 2026

By Mike Richard October 8, 2024 9:20AM

A Mercedes-Benz VAN.EA electric van covered in heavy vehicle camouflage. — Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz is among the most iconic names among vanlifers and custom campervan builders. Now, the automaker is looking toward the future with a fresh, all-new electrified van architecture. The better news, though? Atop the new VAN.EA van platform will be a new luxury midsize e-van and factory-built (and warrantied!) electric campervans, too.

Mercedes-Benz confirmed as far back as 2023 that a new electric van platform was on the horizon. That time draws nigh, and we’re now starting to see the first prototypes being test-driven on public roads. The heavily camo-wrapped vehicles hint at a hard, angular (and likely futuristic) design, although that could change or simply be a head fake.

An electric Mercedes-Benz prototype van covered in heavy vehicle camouflage. — Mercedes-Benz

What matters is what’s under the sheet metal. The new-for-2026 vans will utilize M-B’s VAN.EA (that would be “Van Electric Architecture”), a modular, scalable architecture that will underpin all of the company’s battery-electric-vehicle vans. Everything from luxury midsize vans to large commercial delivery vans will use this configuration. This design also means every van should be available as either FWD or AWD.

Diagram of Mercedes-Benz's VAN.EA electric van platform architecture. — Mercedes-Benz

Buried in the company’s latest press releases, however, is the most interesting bit, for vanlifers anyway. Beginning likely in 2026, Mercedes-Benz will “expand the portfolio of RV vans ‘built from factory’ with a new model line of fully electric midsize and large camper vans, based on VAN.EA.” That could mean larger campervans built on the new Sprinter platform and smaller vans based on the next-gen Metris van or whatever compact van M-B is dreaming up next.

Recommended Videos

It’s still early days for Mercedes-Benz’s next generation of campervans. Aside from a few press releases and a handful of spy shots of heavily camo’d prototype rigs, the confirmed details are thin. But, the German automaker is confident that the VAN.EA architecture could give the company as much as 20% of the total market share by 2026 and up to 50% by 2030. Translation: Vanlifers should be very, very excited about many good Mercedes-branded things to come.

Topics

Auto
Camping

Contributor

Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…

Outdoors

War Horse All-Terrain’s built-to-order camper vans: A cozy, luxe off-roader

With all the comforts of home and the off-road chops to take you as far from it as you can imagine

War Horse All-Terrain custom camper van parked near a lake in Florida.

So many of the biggest, baddest, and meanest camper van builds we see are coming from out West. These days, it seems like Colorado, Utah, and the Pacific Northwest have a lock on premium, van-life-worthy rigs. But one Florida-based builder is looking to shake things up. Meet: War Horse All-Terrain.
Everything we know about War Horse All-Terrain's custom camper van builds

Most van builders offer a decidedly finite lineup of less than a handful of off-the-rack models. But War Horse leans heavier on the "bespoke" side of things, allowing buyers to customize their rigs. Every one of its models is born from a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van with either the standard 144-inch wheelbase or the upgraded 170-inch-long alternative. That means every War Horse rig gets M-B's 4Matic all-wheel-drive system right out of the gate. The company then adds an aftermarket suspension kit, a 2-inch Agile Offroad lift, and beefy 35-inch Nitto Ridge Grappler all-terrain tires. Translation: However you choose to option your War Horse rig, it's guaranteed to be very capable off-road.

Outdoors

Scout debuts Yoho, its first pop-up truck camper, with more models to come

Pack a full kitchen, toilet, and room to sleep 4 adults—all in the bed of almost any midsized pickup.

Rendering of a Toyota Tacoma with a Scout Yoho pop-up truck camper installed.

Way back when, in the dark days of the Pandemic Era, stir-craziness was rampant, fueling an explosion in new RV development. Scout Campers became part of that craze, releasing three new hard-sided truck campers in rapid succession. Now, the Washington-based builder is getting into the "pop-top" game with the debut of its all-new Yoho pop-up truck camper.
Everything we know about Scout's new Yoho pop-up truck camper

Since 2020, Scout Campers' entire line-up of hard-sided truck campers has been about portability, durability, and comfort. The Yoho continues that trend but with an even lighter, more compact, more portable design. Fully deployed, it's similar in size and proportions to its hard-sided brethren. But, Scout used next-gen materials—namely composite panels over an aluminum exoskeleton, a one-piece monocoque composite roof, and featherweight interior materials like recycled paper and bamboo—to pare down the dry weight to just under 1,000 pounds. On the outside, it's purpose-built to fit short- and long-bed midsize trucks like the Toyota Tacoma. What's more, the shorter design lowers the overall center of gravity for improved agility and handling on challenging trails.

Outdoors

This luxe, high-roof camper van is like a Parisian micro-apartment on wheels

With a high roof line and clever convertible bed setup, this camper van sleeps four adults comfortably

Man stepping out of a Noovo Plus camper van parked near the beach.

Another week, another new camper van model to seduce you into trading all your earthly belongings for a free-wheelin' life on the open road. There are so many new van life-worthy camper vans on the market these days that it's damn hard to tell them apart. But the all-new Noovo Plus has one trick up its sleeve—er, roof—that truly sets it apart.
Get the full details on the new Noovo Plus camper van

The Noovo Plus joins two other camper vans—the Noovo Lite and Noovo Pop—as the flagship model in Noovo's lineup. What sets it apart from its more affordable brethren is its ultra-high roof profile. Built on the Super High Roof Platform, the Plus is purpose-built to offer a full seven feet of headroom. This provides for a more open and comfy interior (especially for taller travelers) and, more importantly, makes room for an electric lift bed mounted above the rear living quarters. At night, the queen bed lowers from the ceiling at the press of a button; by day, it rises out of the way just as easily. Along with the convertible sofa bed underneath, this camper van can sleep and transport four adults comfortably.