For several years, Mercedes-Benz Vans has been dripping details about its Van Electric Architecture (VAN.EA) platform. But before the first production models hit the market in 2026, we’re now learning that gasoline counterparts will join the electric vans. The newly announced Van Combustion Architecture (VAN.CA) will carry over about 70% of the parts used by the EVs. Mercedes intends to build gas and electric vans on the same assembly line.
The German automaker previously said VAN.EA is a scalable and modular platform intended strictly for EVs. It will underpin everything from “high-end family vehicles and exclusive VIP shuttles to spacious limousines.” The electric vans will come in single- and dual-motor configurations featuring front- and all-wheel drive, respectively. The platform’s electric version will be used on midsize to large vans for personal and commercial purposes. VAN.EA-P will be the foundation for private vans and VAN.EA-C will be used for commercial vans.
Photo by: Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes is coy on details about the new VAN.CA architecture, only saying it’ll achieve economies of scale by engineering the ICE vans on a variation of the same platform used for the electric models. The three-pointed star pledges to deliver a “clear differentiation” between private and commercial versions, regardless of the powertrain.
Leading the way for the new wave of vans will be a near-production concept portraying a “luxurious, highly elegant, and spacious limousine.” It’ll break cover this spring. Mercedes has already confirmed an 800-volt charging system, a 22 kW AC charger, and the latest iteration of its infotainment (MB.OS). Provided the showcar is purely electric, it could preview a belated rival for the Volvo EM90. Should a gasoline version be planned, it would go up against the Lexus LM. Both are sold in China, where Buick offers a fancy minivan, the GL8 Avenir.
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