It boasts a huge solar cell that can increase the range by thousands of miles per year.

The Mercedes-Benz Sustaineer Tech Demonstrator represents the German brand’s vision of the future commercial vehicles. The company begins with an electric Sprinter, and then loads it with cutting-edge technology.

Mercedes’ Sustaineer is Mercedes’ portmanteau for sustainability and pioneer, as a way of expressing the automaker’s desire to make a delivery van more efficient. It has a huge solar panel on its roof, measuring 51.7 square feet (4.8 meters). The panel charges the batteries even when it is not in use. It can reach 2,361 miles (3 800 kilometers) per year in sunny areas.

The Sustaineer is equipped with the technology to clean cities. The vehicle’s particulate filters are located in the front and underbody. They clean the air. These filters can capture small particles such as brake dust, asphalt, and tires. Mercedes claims that this technology can reduce particles measuring 10 micrometers by 50% in the immediate vicinity of the van. These filters will need to be replaced once per year.

The van concept uses a lot of sustainable materials. The panels under the body are made from recycled polypropylene as well as textile fibers from reclaimed tires. The straw partition between the cargo and cab is coated with waterproofing. The shelf uprights are made from water-based paint and a small amount of organic solvents. Vegan leather is used for the steering wheel cover.

Sustainer’s Speed Delivery Door can be used to identify the driver and opens automatically when the person approaches it. It is also quieter than traditional sliding doors. Mercedes estimates that this innovation could cut down on delivery times by up to 25 minutes for a round of 150 stops.

The Sustaineer, like many modern cars, has cameras to monitor the roads. But Mercedes uses that technology in a unique way. It monitors the roads for potholes and other hazards. The system then transmits the information back to Mercedes. Mercedes can also share the location with other vehicles so drivers can avoid the danger.

Mercedes believes electricity is the future of its vans. It already offers the eVito panel van and eVito tourer. The eCitan is coming soon, as well as the EQT. The brand’s window to this segment is the Sustaineer.