Mercedes-Benz is moving with the times, or rather, ahead of the times. Forget hybrids, by 2022 Mercedes plans to launch an entire 10-series of electric vehicles under the EQ series and Tesla better look smart.
The first of the models is the EQC that was introduced in 2018 and then released in 2019, and more are expected to be at dealerships by 2022. For Mercedes, the idea is that by 2025, 15-20% of the sales will comprise of electric vehicles.
It seems the future truly is electric, at least with Mercedes Benz. Needless to say, the industry is pretty excited about all these new launches and the increased competition and array of electric vehicles will prove to be a boon to the consumer as well.
With 2020 having been a dud year for automobile launches and sales with the pandemic having put a spanner in the works of everyone’s life and style; the new lineup sounds like a pleasant thing to look forward to in the next couple of years.
Here’s what we know of the Mercedes-Benz electric line-up and why it's so, well, electrifying.
What We Have Seen To Date
Daimler AG, the parent company of Mercedes-Benz plans to invest more than a billion dollars into new projects in the battery division. One of these projects is the lithium-ion battery division and the billion dollars is part of the 11 billion dollars mega-investment into the development of electric vehicles.
The first of the EQ models, the EQC was released in 2019 as a compact-sized SUV on an all-wheel-drive with 402 horses, 564 ft-lb torque, and a 259-mile range on a full charge. The second of the line up is the EQV, an electric van, boasting 200 horses, and 267 ft-lb of torque with a 252-mile range.
Being Mercs, both the EQC and the EQV are top of the class with the best in luxury, suspension, and of course infotainment.
Even before these launches, in 2018, all the ‘Smart’ cars were also rebranded as Smart EQs even if sales have been disastrous in the US, enough for discontinuation. The three-car lineup is now called the Smart EQ Fortwo, SmartEQ Fortwo Cabrio, and the Smart EQ Forfour. Along with this, all the hybrid models of Mercedes will now go under the EQ Power brand with the ones carrying a 48 volt or lighter battery being called the EQ Boost.
The Future Is Merc-Lectric
The rest of the EQ lineup will be based on the same platform all through and it will be a modular one, thus fitting into every kind of car needed, be it an SUV, a racecar, or even a small hatchback. More models have also been announced.
Four models are slated for a 2021 release. The first is the EQA, basically, an electric version of the second-gen GLA crossover hatchback, and further details on the powertrain and range are awaited. The EQB is a GLB-class subcompact crossover and promises a cool 310-mile range on a single charge.
The EQS and the EQS SUV are next in line, with the former being an electric version of the S-class sedan and the latter being an SUV-version of the same. The EQS is the first of the EQs to implement the modular electric architecture (MEA) platform that Mercedes-Benz is pouring money into.
For 2022, there are the EQE and the EQE SUV. The EQE will be the electric counterpart of the C-Class compact executive car and will be the second car based on the MEA. Plus it boasts the highest range yet of 373 miles on a single full charge, along with 400 horses and a 0-100 mph sprint of 4.5 seconds. Its the most comparable to the Model 3, if we pit Mercedes against Tesla. The SUV may boast similar figures though the sedan will arrive next.
The Unannounced Models
There’s another SUV in the works which hasn’t been announced or unveiled yet, plus Mercedes is also planning to put out an electric G-class vehicle.
The one model that has been exciting performance enthusiasts, with deep pockets, of course, is the EQ Silver Arrow, that is being developed under the EQ Power + label. For now, this is a concept vehicle, fully electric, that plans to go at top speeds of 250 mph as Mercedes-Benz’s answer to the 2021/22 Tesla Roadster.
The look and shape are very reminiscent of the ‘50s and ‘60s sports coupes that Merc brought out but what goes under the hood is as futuristic as it can get. The car is a single-seater and comes with a front visor for the driver along with a front LED panel with motion lighting that's more reminiscent of a Star Wars Pew-Pew gun than an actual car.
Tesla may have started the electric vehicle war but Mercedes-Benz has definitely upped its gameplan as well. EV fans are soon going to be swamped with many different models, and probably end up as spoilt for choice.
Sources: Daimler, CNet