Mercedes eSprinter vs 14,000ft! Electric Van Climbs Highest Paved Road In North America

Kyle takes the new electric Mercedes eSprinter up Mount Blue Sky, the highest paved road in North America. They ascend to over 14,000ft of elevation in the electric van loaded to it's maximum payload capacity. If the eSprinter can do this, it can definitely get packages to your front door.
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#mercedes #eSprinter #ev

[@SanDiegoTeslaGuy]

wow. Kyle is NOT in a sweater in 90 degree weather?? What is this world coming to!?? 🤣

[@markfitzpatrick6692]

I know I love he is wearing a t shirt and the coast to coast t shirt

[@777Outrigger]

Yesterday, Jul 7th, we got down to 48F in Evergreen, Co at 8000'. I wore a small jacket yesterday.

[@LarsDennert]

Hoody...

[@jmp622]

The heat does not slow down his run-on and TMI story telling 🙃

[@jmp622]

Why review this?

[@COSolar6419]

As a Colorado resident I would enjoy seeing more EV testing on mountain roads. One of the biggest surprises I’ve had owning an EV is how well they do in the mountains.

[@michaelsmithers4900]

Way better for driving down the mountains as the brakes don’t heat up as the energy goes back into the battery as you come down

[@JeffParkerTexas]

You should have a Mount Blue Sky test for every electric vehicle from now on! That was awesome!!

[@EricMarschner]

It will be closed all next year for repaving unfortunately... but it will reopen eventually.

[@michaelsmithers4900]

Well maybe Pikes Peak can fill in at around 100’ less…

[@joshreed1216]

I am really empressed on how well this made it up that climb for a cargo van. Ev makes it even more impressive. This is setting a new bar and will be a great delivery van.

[@SpottedSharks]

Testing an electric van? woop-dee-doo. 1 hour later: That was AMAZEBALLS! Great choice of music near the summit, too. Kudos to the editor. I went to that observatory as a kid. Great times.

[@MarsPLAYStudio]

23:52 This moment when a Mercedes Sprinter van has a digital rear view mirror and the cybertruck not lol

[@evan010101]

And dealt with the mountain driving better!

[@MarsPLAYStudio]

@@evan010101 tbf, the Cybertruck was carrying a heavier load and weights more combined with the Rivian and trailer than the Mercedes with the water tank here

[@alanmay7929]

@@MarsPLAYStudio the tesla has at least two electric motors that are significantly way more powerful than the mercedes van, the tesla has heat pump and all other kinds of more advanced electronics so technically the tesla shouldnt have struggled. the mercedes is also significantly way less aerodynamic and doesnt have air suspensions to drop down for even better aerodynamics too.

[@tonymcflattie2450]

Party in the front, recuperation in the rear

[@davidkannheiser8748]

What, no hooded sweatshirt?!! I feel a disturbance in The Force! Love your team. Thank you.

[@phxazcraig]

I once took a rental Ford Taurus wagon to the top of Mt Evans, and on the way down I literally melted the hubcaps and burnt the brake fluid. Had to have the brake fluids changed the following day.

[@MediaDevice01]

Lol. The Jeep guys seeing a Sprinter on their turf, followed by a mommy wagon🧐

[@borama7845]

Epic test, epic views, fantastic van. For me one of the best OOS videos ever.

[@danmobile]

I bet a gas van would be a SLUG at that elevation too.

[@wastenotwantnot5953]

47:55 Electrifying things like airport shuttles can have an impact much easier and cheaper than any electric semi. It just makes sense to electrify things that are slow and don't travel far. You don't need a megawatt charger either... It might not be cool, but it is awesome.

[@davidbrayshaw3529]

We should be using the batteries that we're using in cars for stationary storage, first. Use the batteries for 24 hours per day rather than 1. And use the batteries for the benefit of everyone, not just those that live in congested cities.

[@wastenotwantnot5953]

@@davidbrayshaw3529 Good point, and you can even do both. Bidirectional charging is something that could be massively beneficial. Seeing vehicles that don't go far or fast get

[@davidbrayshaw3529]

@@wastenotwantnot5953 It will be interesting to see how far we can get with bi-directional charging. There has been a successful trial conducted in Australia, recently, so we know that we can match the phase of the grid. How efficient that is, I don't know. I'm guessing around 80%. The big question is in scaling and whether automotive batteries are up to the task. Interestingly the Cyber Truck comes with a warning that the battery warrantee will be voided if the vehicle is used for "extended" (whatever that means) periods as a stationary storage device. Clearly there are question marks over the longevity of those 4680 cells, I would suggest.

[@wastenotwantnot5953]

@@davidbrayshaw3529 interesting, I hadn't heard about that with the cybertruck

[@davidbrayshaw3529]

@@wastenotwantnot5953 That little revelation was on a Louis Rossman upload, other day. The still not crash test rated Cyber Truck won't warranty one of the very things that it advertises. And Tesla stock is rallying.

[@StewartMidwinter]

I was more impressed with the cyclist. I saw rolling down from the summit after climbing up there with no electric power!

[@iMaxPatten]

no regen either 😢

[@paulas_lens]

They are the REAL GOATS

[@GamingProject23]

Full load, highest road in the US, full throttle, full regen - never even limited the power or the regen and got great efficiency. Im impressed, this van exceeds the diesels and could replace them in most use cases

[@stevenichols4639]

When I saw the video was an hour long, I thought it was in a real time video driving to the top of pikes peak. ( mt blue was a surprise ). But, as usual, far more entertaining. PS. Kyle has arms. ;-)

[@harriska]

Really good video! Thought a lot of effort was put into the editing of this one so well done and it was nice to see Kyle in merch

[@annavariumful]

Great content, nicely presented. Stunning images. I lived in Winter Park for three years. I do miss those mountains.

[@tonymcflattie2450]

Brake lights sooner to prevent rear end collisons

[@fiehlsport]

Kyle looking like a retiree in his Sprinter doing a road trip

[@Lillia-nu2xt]

You've got a fan in me, keep 'em coming!

[@StewartMidwinter]

How to say you're from Colorado, without saying you're from Colorado? "We are at 6000 feet, wow, so low".

[@davidrandall2742]

No guardrails. Colorado says: "Pay attention and turn the damn corner on your own!" :)

[@mowcowbell]

No, there were guardrails there until the stupid Texans smashed into them.

[@markrichards9792]

actually, as you get higher in elevation, air resistance is reduced, so you potentially have MORE power in an EV at 14,000'!!!

[@michaelsmithers4900]

And less power in an ICE vehicle as they can’t get enough O2.

[@user--PM]

50:00 RE brake lights on EVs @TechnologyConnections made a great video about this issue a year ago, and i am very surprised that this is still an issue. my perspective - in regen - when the vehicle is no longer coasting, the brake lights NEED to come on.

[@Cowcow211]

The EU has mandated this since 2023.

[@brandti1367]

"No longer coasting" can be quite a large rage. Seeing brake lights should catch your attention, so they should only come on when the vehicle is actually decelerating (not just one-pedal-driving down a slight hill with near constant speed). The EU mandates that they have to come on when decelerating more than 1.3 m/s² and may come on below that (with no lower limit unfortunately). This is a deceleration that would bring you to a stop from 96 km/h (60 mph) within 273 m (300 yards), which is no hard braking at all.

[@Pampalak]

Something was off this in video and I couldn't working out and just clicked! Kyle in T-shirt!!!!

[@hallcrash]

A little out of spec-history about Mt. Blue Sky.

[@steinwaymodelb]

This was the perfect place to make an hour-long van video...

[@_Hao_Nguyen_]

It would be awesome to have an electric conversion van. Fill the roof with solar to camp days without worrying about draining main battery. Can not wait for rhe future of e-van campers. Maybe 3rd iteration. First will be CRAZY expensive.😂

[@rickrasco]

What are your thoughts regarding first generation of e van campers "crazyexpensive" compared to current options

[@_Hao_Nguyen_]

@@rickrasco first of anything is expensive and buggy! I wait for 2nd & 3rd iteration on most things before buying. I dont think they make e camper conversion vans yet, but current camper van (one Kyle has) is like $150K. It's cool but over the price I want to pay for.

[@Charlie-UK]

Great reviews of the Mercedes eSprinter. It's taken them long enough to start putting realistic size Battery packs in them. But they are finally becoming usable, for distance travel...

[@elde667]

One of the best OOS video’s ever. Plus a history lesson…..can’t get any better.

[@desmoheli]

Cant wait to have these as Camper Vans as well. My current one is still an ICE.

[@pault4905]

Love your videos. I have a video suggestion...compare same size, same season EV specific tires and also vs non-ev specific tires. Noise, rolling resistance, energy used, etc. I know it's a time-consuming video to make, but NOBODY has done the video yet. Tirerack tried a high-level video recently, but they didn't get into the weeds on energy consumption, etc. Thanks, and keep the great videos coming. You are my go-to source. :)

[@edmundhayes1840]

After watching the race to Vegas, I'm more impressed the EV9 got to the top. Nice work, Max!

[@MrRicearonie]

I haven’t really been paying attention to Mercedes for a bit, besides the A class hatch nothing interests me from them, but watching this Sprinter series and the race to Las Vegas that just went up damn I’m impressed

[@MrRicearonie]

Oh, and because I’m in the US I can’t even get the A class hatch :/

[@bullshitbingo2259]

Luckily next year the Mercedes CLA coupe with 800V-architecture will be introduced in the same size class as the the Model 3 and it's going to be amazing.

[@alanmay7929]

lol.... mercedes has literaly all kinds of vehicles you can think off, from those small a class the gwagen, the sprinter( van pickup truck single/double cab....), the unimog, 6x6, 8x8 trucks and all kinds of configurations you can think of.

[@MrRicearonie]

@@alanmay7929 oh of course, but for as long as I can remember I’d rather have something from their competitors so I haven’t paid attention to Mercedes too closely. Although your right, the Unimog is sick

[@spencermain6686]

Good test and awesome video! I drove Mt Blue Sky just 3 weeks ago in my 2021 Subaru Crosstrek. It was a cool experience. I saw a camouflaged prototype hatchback testing that I think I've identified as a Cupra Leon. I was glad to have the 2.5L instead of the 2.0L because it was missing some power at elevation, but it still had enough. It definitely would've been more nerve wracking in a large vehicle. It was about 20° warmer when I was up there and I did the short hike to the summit. So, I can say I hiked a 14er*. I was pleased to get a clean run up and down Hwy 103 with any traffic pulling off to let me pass. I used the paddle shifters and engine braking to keep my speed under control on the downhill.

[@ulfw]

I can’t believe that a Sprinter run is your most beautiful video. What a gorgeous landscape and the weather played along perfectly. Well done guys! Must have been so fun! Wish I was there to help film.

[@Kispestilacika]

You really love this van!

[@supamario3055]

Great video. Would like to see slightly more compact sizes (slightly shorter, slightly less length), with more ground clearance, AWD, more affordable - from more manufacturers.

[@detroitmissioncontrol508]

WOW 😮 … Super efficient van. I would love ❤️ to see a race to Vegas with all vans

[@abmpsu]

Great video, like you guys always do! One thing I don't hear more details about is the source of the interior climate. Meaning, is it using a heating element for warmth and "traditional" compressor system for the air conditioning, or have EV's gone to a "heat pump"? I know that the EV9 uses a heat pump, at least as a heat source or will it work like a residential mini-split that can provide hot & cold air? And what are the limits for using a heat pump; basically max outdoor low temp. The lowest residential setup is now around zero and still produce heat. Thanks

[@privettoli]

Well, we know EV range and charging speed is great in the summer, what would really be important is how much range it would eat up to go from Denver airport to Vail/A-basin during winter storm.

[@RandomActsOfMusic1]

this was very informative for my exact use case for an electric van. Thank you very much.

[@BarryGGould]

aqua is my absolute favorite color so i love the color of this van

[@slyguyaction]

There's the TFLTruck video with this van (exact one maybe?) and then there's an OutOfSpec and crew video. Holy hell, I'm here for it!!

[@Matt-dx3wo]

I wonder what the limiting factor is on my model 3 LFP, it limits regen pretty quickly doing long descents. Side note, it is sad how many mountains used to have restaurants or hotels, and even rail lines up to them in the US. In Europe there would definitely still be some refreshments at the top.

[@GregMoffattgm]

I remember when I went there. Got out of the car at the summit and fell into the side of the car because of how thin the air was

[@zachlafond2652]

Same. Came from low elevation (600 feet) and drove right up to the top and about passed out. Didn't stay long. Also my car had almost no power up there. I coasted most of the way back down (5 speed manual).

[@ezpoppy55]

Pretty awesome test and results!

[@pennyharris446]

Wow. For 2024 EV 7% regen recoup over 14 miles is good. Steep decline, but good, still. Yay Mercedes. Now just make sure the break lights come on when the vehicle slows down. 😊

[@solomongabert6776]

I want to see this and the rivian van attempt a race to vegas. That would be epic!

[@iforpowell7390]

But this would beet the Rivian by hours and hours. The race videos are only good if it's going to be close.

[@rcpmac]

Excellent test boys!

[@wydryfly]

Always come to your vids for the sick synth B-Roll music! Great review.

[@RWBHere]

Keep that route in your itinerary for future vehicle tests. Thanks for the video. And I love the colour of that van. ;-)

[@michaelsmithers4900]

I’m so glad you made the point about weight not being that relevant on the flat. Once up to speed “an object in motion tends to stay in motion” so you only need to add energy to overcome rolling resistance and as you said, to a greater degree wind resistance. That’s also why I’d like to see towing tests at lower speeds. That’s what the slow lane is for and usually the trailers are only rated for 55mph anyway… I think 60mph should be the standard for highway truck towing. IMHO

[@snapbox]

Woooo looking forward to this one!

[@jerrygalveston440]

Was just to the top of Mt Blue Sky in a Lexus, been up that road 4-5 times, but think I have had enough of the drop off etc. Really great to see the video, and I take my hat off to you to do it in a fully loaded van....... that road is not that wide!

[@Bounty5996]

You should be sponsored by mercedes, that was just awesome 👏

[@jovceata]

amazing place and thank you

[@wastenotwantnot5953]

58:07 Right.... Drive that slow on flat ground and see what the efficiency is.

[@berthogendoorn2133]

Ok Kyle you need to buy one and get a really great RV conversion and do some awesome road trips, thats what we call viewership excitement!

[@blessguy5330]

THIS VAN IS INSANE! what the hell 52% at the top?

[@kevinweber5129]

My Walmart delivery came in an electric Ford Transit Connect.

[@ViaBuenCorazon]

Were you able to discern what DRIVE mode would allow for Brake Lights during ReGen?

[@JakeRichardsong]

Great efficiency.

[@Crackin-Egg]

imo the towing loop you use would be more challenging for commercial vehicles fully loaded, so run them just the same as ur towing loop, just with payload vs a trailer, it feels like it would be more realistic/challenging than just driving straight up and down the same road.

[@momatedise]

Would've been interesting with OBD data during the test

[@dennislyons3095]

One of my complaints with the R1T is the poor regen. My Bolt does a much better job at regen & returning range. (very helpful in a 2017 Bolt!)

[@cordkretzschmar5693]

Wonderful view.

[@iowa_don]

20:42 - You need different terminology as "wide open throttle" (WOT in your mechanical engineering class) refers to an engine that has air moving through a throttle body or carburetor with a butterfly valve controlling the airflow (and hence the air breathing engine power output).

[@showoe3126]

there are plenty of common terms from the older version of something, we still say diesel ships are "sailing" after all.

[@paulas_lens]

Kyle turned the knob all the way to ELEVEN! :D ;)

[@user-iw2gj9gk4j]

Still wants to see BYD comparisons 🤔🤷‍♀️✌🏻

[@Kosahdus]

More tests whit max weight and that route.

[@ALRinaldi]

Why does Mercedes and Ford not have the passenger vans available yet; just the cargo vans? My SIL has 6 kids; they have literally no options for EV's period... Need 12 passenger van options.

[@brp154]

I drove my original Honda Insight up Mt. Blue Sky in 2005 on my honeymoon, only to park next to a crazy car that I thought had 32 cylinders. Turns out, it was a Bugatti Veyron being tested, 16 cylinders. Two awesome cars, would have made for great OOS content.

[@CraigMatsuura]

I think towing and hauling up hill record the energy used and when you come down record the energy gained. Trucks and vans.

[@tazeat]

Just need to keep that tote with you so you can fill it up whenever you get to the top of a mountain pass for better efficiency on the way down xD

[@Dqtube]

47:57 They need to make a passenger version of the eSprinter for this purpose since they already have EQV, but you wouldn't like that because it is FWD. There is also a #Klassen edition of the EQV that you should try the next time you are in Germany. For higher capacity services they have eCitaro line-up.

[@Bluelightning23]

Even the sky looks a little darker at the top

[@johnlynch5007]

Wow that as really cool.

[@JackHill-km9qw]

Thanks for the video! After the epic Silverado, I hope GM does an Express EV. My wife drives a passenger Express that's been converted to be wheelchair accessible. It would be awesome to have an electric one. Or just see more passenger van variants on the market (I imagine they'd be a hit with livery companies).

[@susihormon7821]

I love the color. I ordered the egolf in „Pfauengrün“. Before they cancelled Black rubin. VW was going „Gray“ only. It ended in blue atlantic metallic. So give color a chance.

[@paulas_lens]

I would LOVE it if you guys could test in Arizona going up and down between Phoenix and Flagstaff on I-17 and then also up and down on 89 between Phoenix and Happy Jack (via Payson). Spring/Fall AND Summer data would be SO AWESOME to see.

[@michaelsmithers4900]

If you wanted to vanlife this thing could you use the main battery to power your living area? Could you charge the pack off solar. That roof could hold a nice array especially if you had extra panels extend out as shade canopies…

[@MediaDevice01]

I guess I missed it, but since this is rear drive, did Mercedes make a frunk? I know most of their EVs don't have an accessible hood, but for a van meant for cargo, I'd assume front storage would be a no-brainer.

[@anthonyc1883]

Kyle's "Hello and welcome" occurs at 2:45 meaning that the meat of this video is finally just barely under one hour total. I knew he could do it! ;-)

[@prantto3914]

Get the rivian, gm, Ford and the merc and then compare.

[@JP-sw5ho]

Ram was not impressed 😂

[@gbphil]

Kyle, isn’t the ID Buzz passenger rated and that has a van version? 😎😇

[@Knnnkncht]

Yes and Mercedes EQV also

[@rvboondocker2559]

We’re a Sprinter campervan couple and Tesla early adopters and I’d say my concern would be the weight of the necessary number of batteries taking too much of the useful load.

[@vhol93]

Nice

[@fenceman53]

That tee shirt looks good

[@fascistpedant758]

That's higher than you're allowed to fly without supplemental oxygen.

[@StewartMidwinter]

Highest restaurant in the world, on that mountain? Not. There are plenty of full service "tea House" restaurants at 5000 m elevation, 16,500 feet, on the trail to Mount Everest Basecamp

[@Olddahg]

Great production value! Doesn’t the window roll down all the way?

[@Knnnkncht]

He didnt roll it down because of the gopro Sticked to it, of course it can

[@RonPaulgirls]

I WONDER IF YOU COULD INSTALL A 200 KW BATTERY ON SAY A 2022 ICE SPRINTER WITH WHAT A REAR MOTOR OR HUB MOTORS OR WHATEVER SINCE THIS IS SIMILAR TO THE ICE VERSIONS

[@davemayo70]

My anxiety watching those sheer turns with no guardrails. 😬

[@xrotaryguy]

Good to know I can Doordash 2,600 lbs of Jersey Mikes up Mt Evans!!

[@ronald4life1]

Fords been somewhat uncontested with their E-Transit for consumer.. The Sprinter is arguably one of the best vans for consumers, if you want a mini RV though EVs are ideal for this, no generator whine, fast chargers everywhere these days, and many RV parks even have 220V outlets available.

[@dennislyons3095]

I've been reading & hearing that some campgrounds do not allow RV charging on their power. Something to check.

[@alanmay7929]

nope! EVs are not ideal for RVs, you dont need generators when you can have solar in places where the sun shines, and for those who goes where its cold electric makes no sense, the EVs arent even awd let alone lifting them will significantly affect their range.

[@phxazcraig]

How can you not have ever been to Mt Evans before? (Mt Blue Sky? WTF)

[@vhol93]

40:00 me too lol

[@wdentondouglas]

Should test with and without cargo.