The Mercedes S-Class is going electric.
According to a recent report from Bloomberg, Mercedes’ flagship luxury sedan will become electrified in the near future as part a new fleet of electric vehicles. Mercedes plans to offer 10 new EVs by 2022.
The new S-Class is tentatively called EQ S—EQ being the name of the sub-brand that will identify the new electric Mercedes vehicles.
Speaking at Mercedes’ unveiling of the new A-Class hatchback in Split Croatia, Chief Executive Officer Dieter Zetsche also revealed that the EQ class of cars will be alongside a line of plug-in hybrid vehicles that will offer a “totally different” battery range from current models. Mercedes’ gas-powered cars will also get the hybrid treatment, becoming “mild hybrids” that use 48-volt technology to reduce energy losses and improve fuel mileage.
“All vehicles will be electrified,” Zetsche said
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Electric cars are the next big thing in the automotive world, pushed to the forefront by governments desperate to reduce carbon footprints and stave-off global warming. No government is pushing electric cars harder than China, where demand for the cars has skyrocketed.
Mercedes is already the top-selling luxury brand globally and sees China as a means of retaining their pole position. However, Chinese ownership laws have prevented global car manufacturers from making major inroads as all carmakers are required to partner with a Chinese firm to sell cars in China.
However, the government has recently signaled that it may relax those requirements, opening the gates to more foreign-branded cars being made and sold domestically.
Referring to easing ownership caps, Zetsche commented, “We would, of course, welcome additional opportunities.”
Zetsche was also quick to hedge his bets. “We have a very good cooperation with BAIC [Motor Corp] in China and might come to the conclusion that there won’t be any change. But of course, it’s better to have more instead of fewer options.”
We’ll find out more of Mercedes’ plans to electrify in the coming months.