Mercedes-Benz has unveiled six new electric models and concept cars at the Munich motor show, demonstrating the company is getting serious about accelerating the transition from “electric first” to “electric only”.
The new models unveiled included the EQE business saloon, Mercedes-AMG EQS luxury saloon and the EQB family car.
Concept cars included lthe uxury SUV Mercedes-Maybach EQS, an all-electric all-terrain Mercedes-Benz EQG and the Smart concept #1 from a new generation smart range.
The German car maker aims to be fully electric by the end of the decade.
The EQE business saloon is set for a staggered global launch in mid 2022. The premium class electric will be produced in Bremen, Germany for the world market and in Beijing for the Chinese market.
The EQE has a sporty design that’s more compact than the EQS with a 90kWh (useable energy) battery and range up to 660 km (WTLP).
The car’s inbuilt air quality HEPA filter (high efficiency particulate air) traps fine particles, microparticles, pollen and other substances. It will be one of the first vehicles built using steel which is 100 percent recycled from Salzgitter AG.
Luxury saloon car, Mercedes-AMG EQS will be the first battery-electric AMG model.
The AMG EQS boasts a powerful electric powertrain with two motors located at the front and rear axles allowing the vehicle to accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in 3.4 seconds. The car’s battery has useable energy 107.8kWh and a range up to 300 km (WTLP).
The EQB had its European premiere at the motor show. The second all-electric compact car from Mercedes-EQ, the EQB vehicle is expected to be well suited as a family car, with five seats standard, and optional seven-seater.
The EQB’s lithium-ion battery has a usable energy content 66.5kWh. It has a 419 km range with, a long-range version is expected to follow.
Production of the EQB is expected to start in October 2021 at the Kecskemét plant in Hungary and Beijing in China.
The three concept vehicles were also revealed including a luxury all-electric SUV, an all-electric all-terrain offroader and the first of a new smart range.
Making good on a 2018 promise made to movie star and ex Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mercedes-Benz unveiled plans to electrify a G class vehicle. The concept Mercedes-Benz EQG revealed at the motor show is an all-electric, all-terrain, luxury off-road vehicle.
The concept Mercedes-Maybach EQS is a luxury all-electric SUV, the first fully electric model for the prestige Maybach brand.
The third electric concept vehicle revealed was the smart Concept #1, a compact SUV. Smart was the first to switch completely from combustion to electric drive. The concept #1 is the first of new generation of all-electric vehicles in the smart range.
Read more about that story here.
Mercedes-Benz has five Australian electric and plug-in hybrid models available according to the Electric Vehicle Council’s state of electric vehicles report. The auto manufacturer is expected to bring three more models into the country in 2021-22, including the EQB and EQS.
Petra Stock is a Master of Journalism student who has worked in climate change, renewable energy and transport. She also works part-time in climate change for the Australian Conservation Foundation.