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Mercedes-Benz has launched an innovative Electric Sliding Load Door (ESLD) for its Sprinter van, which allows the driver to access the cargo area without having to put down the parcel he is carrying or even take the van keys out of his pocket. The £595 option, which is likely to prove popular with UK parcels companies, emergency services and minibus operaters, works by remote control.

When the driver approaches the van's sliding side door, it unlocks and slides open. The driver can also  walk away from the van safe in the knowledge that the door is closing behind him. It's a similar story with the driver's door, which automatically unlocks when the driver is in its vicinity. This all sounds great on paper, but what about in the real world? MT borrowed a van with the option and tried living with it for one week.

Overall we were impressed with the system. Not having to put down heavy items in order to open the door is a huge blessing, and saves considerable time and effort. However, the system is not flawless. On more than one occasion we found ourselves pacing up and down the side of the van, desperately trying to get it to recognise our presence.

In the end we had to solve the problem by taking the key fob out of our pocket and wave it about near the door. But these problems were few and far between, and in no way dampened our enthusiasm for the ESLD. We will be very surprised if this doesn't become a popular choice with parcels com-panies in the coming  years.