None
NL
First Drive: Mercedes-Benz VLE
['Simon Harris', 'Alex Grant']
EV Fleet World
The luxury shuttle and premium chauffeur sectors have long relied on adapted commercial vehicles to shift corporate clients, but the arrival of the all-electric Mercedes-Benz VLE represents a new direction.
While the top-tier dual-motor variant offers rapid, all-wheel-drive pace, the 272hp single-motor VLE 300 emerges as the sweet spot.
Cruising range and charging architecture are vital metrics for operational viability, and the VLE delivers a definitive competitive edge.
Verdict:Ultimately, Mercedes-Benz has stopped trying to make a van look like a luxury car and has instead built an expensive, high-tech electric limousine that happens to have eight seats.
Key fleet model: VLE 300For: Range; refinement; hi-tech showcaseAgainst: Prohibitive price; complex user interfaceSummary: Bespoke electric limousine, expensive but deeply impressiveAlso consider: Volkswagen ID.