So, my friend asks, “Hey, Casey, what are you driving this week?”

To which I reply, “One of the new Mercedes electric vehicles.”

“Is it roomy?”

“Oh, yeah, lots of space. It’s like a bus inside!”

My daughter overhears this conversation as we’re rushing out the door to my dentist appointment. I’m sure she imagines her favorite Mercedes EQS uber-luxury electric sedan as she smugly sweeps out the door. She drops all of her attitude, flips around, grimaces, and busts out giggling when she spies the eSprinter.

It's not quite what she had in mind. It is one ginormous Mercedes-Benz, an electric version of the popular Sprinter commercial van that you’ll likely see picking up a cadre of travelers for an airport run or fronting your plumber when they arrive to fix your toilet.

This barn-dominium is astonishingly easy to drive, though. I’d be careful not to scalp its walk-in roof going into parking garages, but we had no trouble running errands. It parked easy at the dentist. You sit high and forward with big glass and mirrors all around. It shrinks in your hands, which should be a relief for contractors who will be slipping them in and out of tight driveways and narrow alleyways as part of their daily toil.

I tell my daughter to be careful getting out. She says, “Yeah, it would be quite a tumble! Might need repelling ropes.”

Making deliveries, the eSprinter makes a cavern of sense. Base models achieve 160 miles range, but a larger battery is available for 250 miles. Drivers can quick charge 10-80% in 42 minutes or fully charge in 12.5 hours — an easy overnight on a 240v charger back at the shop. Regenerative braking can be adjusted via paddles. Thanks to a stout 201 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, the big rear-drive van runs 0-60 mph in 12.7 seconds — quite quick for a delivery van — but top speed is limited to 75 mph. No worries, though, as the eSprinter is designed for urban toil.

But it is meant to haul. The cavern behind the safety wall can hold 488 cubic feet of cargo weighing up to 2,624 lbs. For reference, that’s about 800 lbs. more than a Smart car. The ride is a little bouncy unloaded, but settled nicely with 700 lbs. or so hitching a ride during my review.

Yet, it’s still a Mercedes-Benz. There’s no EQS hyperscreen, but the dashboard and controls seem lifted straight from the chic little GLA crossover. A thick leather-wrapped steering wheel, automatic climate control, heated seats, and voice-activated infotainment add comforts. Safety is enhanced by automatic emergency braking, blind spot warning, rear cross path detection, and crosswind assist to keep you driving straight ahead. A rear-view camera mirror provides a clear view for maneuvering through traffic or when backing to a loading dock.

Need to take your horse in for a check-up? No problem, pull out ramps and load her up. Need a dockload of beer for a frat party? Swing wide open the doors and shove it in by the pallet! Moving across town? No worries, the eSprinter has you covered! American Van Lines dreams of this electric slider.

The jokes kept coming, but the eSprinter is exceedingly serious. It can haul large and heavy cargo, and do it efficiently. It’s smooth, quiet, easy to drive and can easily be plugged in for a recharge after a long day. No gas stops to crimp your schedule. And, if you’re worried about service and maintenance, don’t.

The first four services within the first four years, or up to 100,000 miles, are covered. Mercedes guarantees that over eight years, the maximum remaining capacity of batteries will not be less than 70% of initial capacity. An optional battery certificate can extend that by an additional 85,000 miles to eight years or 185,000 miles total.

I’m on my way out for one final drive when I call into my house, “Baby, I’m heading to the liquor store to pick up a pallet or two of bourbon. Anything you need at Costco?”

Especially given its ability to earn a living, the eSprinter should prove a far better investment than an EQS — though it’s definitely priced more like a Mercedes. Far more than the Ford eTransit at $51,095, but surprisingly less than the Ram ProMaster EV’s $77,995 opening bid, base eSprinters start at $71,886 for the base battery and rising to $75,316 with the extended-range battery pack.

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