Mercedes-Benz Confirms World Premiere of All-Electric VLE

Mercedes-Benz has announced that the all-electric VLE will make its world premiere on 10 March 2026 in Stuttgart, introducing the first model based on the new VAN.EA platform. Learn more.

Mercedes-Benz has officially confirmed the world premiere date of its new all-electric VLE, marking an important step in the brand’s van strategy. The model will make its global debut on 10 March 2026 in Stuttgart, a location deliberately chosen as the birthplace of the automobile.

The VLE will be the first series-production Mercedes-Benz vehicle to be built on the newly developed VAN.EA modular electric architecture. Designed specifically for the next generation of vans, this platform is intended to underpin a broad range of future models, from family-oriented vehicles to exclusive shuttle solutions.

Positioned between a classic MPV and a luxury passenger car, the VLE aims to combine limousine-like ride comfort and handling with the versatility expected from a multi-purpose vehicle. The interior offers seating for up to eight occupants, with configurations tailored to private customers as well as premium transport services.

Additional information from German and English-language automotive sources provides further insight into the technical direction of the model. The VLE is based on an 800-volt electrical system, and publicly available data points to a battery capacity of up to around 113 kWh. The estimated driving range is cited at approximately 480 kilometres (WLTP), while prototype testing has demonstrated the vehicle’s suitability for long-distance travel with limited charging stops.

Preparation for series production is already underway. Pre-series assembly has begun at Mercedes-Benz’s Vitoria plant in Spain, which has been extensively upgraded to meet the requirements of the new electric architecture. The site is set to become a central production hub for passenger vans based on VAN.EA.

While key figures such as drivetrain output and charging performance have not yet been officially disclosed, the overall concept of the VLE clearly signals Mercedes-Benz’s intentions. Rather than treating electric vans as derivatives of existing models, the brand is positioning them as a distinct premium segment. Based on the announced architecture, testing programme and manufacturing preparations, the VLE is expected to play a central role in this strategic shift.