Mercedes eSprinter becomes electric ice-cream truck

UK ice cream van manufacturer Whitby Morrison has unveiled a fully electric ice cream van based on the Mercedes-Benz eSprinter platform. The vehicle was designed from the ground up as an all-electric ice cream van and has successfully completed the individual vehicle approval process.

UK vehicle converter Whitby Morrison is presenting the vehicle as the ‘world’s first fully certified electric ice-cream van.’ The individually approved vehicle is based on a Mercedes-Benz eSprinter Chassis Cab with a gross vehicle weight of 4.25 tonnes and can be driven with a Category B driving licence. Ice-cream manufacturer Hocking’s of North Devon is now operating the first vehicle of its kind.

The British company emphasises that the ice-cream van is not a converted diesel vehicle but was designed from the outset as a fully electric model. According to Whitby Morrison, the eSprinter chassis offers a range of up to 274 miles (around 440 kilometres) and can charge from 10 to 80 per cent in 34 minutes. This suggests that the eSprinter used for the first certified ice-cream van features the largest of the three available batteries, with a net energy content of 113 kWh. However, other battery options are also said to be available.

Whitby Morrison equips the body with its ePower system, which supplies power to the onboard ice-cream refrigeration equipment, among other functions. The system enables quiet operation without excessive noise from conventional auxiliary power systems.

Ed Whitby, Operations Director at Whitby Morrison, commented: “Every so often, a vehicle comes along that feels like a real turning point. This is one of those moments. The launch of our first fully certified electric ice cream van is something we are incredibly proud of. Our purpose-built electric ice cream van is developed to meet the needs of real operators while helping move the industry towards a cleaner and quieter future.”

Whitby Morrison expects the first electric ice-cream van to be followed by further vehicles and anticipates growing interest in the concept. The company says the fully electric model gives ice-cream van operators another option for their businesses while retaining the familiar customer experience.