Mercedes-Benz EQ-Class
The Mercedes-Benz EQ-Class is an upcoming family of battery electric vehicles to be manufactured by Mercedes-Benz. The first model in the class was previewed at the Paris Motor Show in 2016 with the Generation EQ concept vehicle.[1] Mercedes-Benz will introduce 10 models in this class by 2025, all of which will be based on a single platform developed specifically for electric drivetrains, and which can be configured for any type of vehicle owing to modularization.[2][3] Three models will have the Smart brand.[4]
Dieter Zetsche, chairman of Daimler AG, stated that the new brand will consist of all Mercedes-Benz "electrification efforts", with a goal of having it represent between 15% and 25% of global sales for the company by 2025, dependent on "the continued development of infrastructure and customer preferences".[2] Jurgen Schenk, a director of Daimler who will oversee the development of the electric drivetrain, stated that the company expects energy density improvements to battery technology to be about 14% per year until 2025, equivalent to improvements seen between 2010 and 2016.[2]
To meet production targets, Daimler AG will invest €1 billion for capital expansion projects at its Deutsche ACCUmotive subsidiary lithium-ion battery manufacturing facilities in Kamenz, Germany.[2][5] This is part of the company's investment of up to €10 billion for the design and development of electric vehicles.[4]
The vehicles will use the Combined Charging System,[2] a wall charger, or an optional wireless inductive charging system.
Generation EQ concept vehicle
The Generation EQ is the first model in the EQ class.[2] It is an entry-level sport utility vehicle (SUV) scheduled for release in 2019.[2] It is expected to have a range of 500 kilometres (310 mi) and cost about $45,000.[2]
The vehicle will have two electric motors, one on the front axle, and one on the rear axle.[1] It will be an all-wheel drive vehicle[3] with a power output of 300 kilowatts and a torque of 700 newton metres (520 lb·ft).[1] The battery is floor-mounted.[3]
Instead of side mirrors, the vehicle has rear-facing cameras which project video of traffic behind the driver onto door displays.[1]
The eventual production version of this vehicle will be in the same category as the Tesla Model 3.[2]
Notes
References
- Bubbers, Matt (8 November 2016). "For decades the future of electric vehicles has seemed a few years away". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
- Hall, Emme (29 September 2016). "Mercedes-Benz jump starts new EQ brand with Generation EQ concept". CNet. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
- Savov, Vlad (29 September 2016). "Mercedes launches EQ brand with electric SUV concept". The Verge. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
- Vijayenthiran, Viknesh (31 October 2016). "Mercedes will launch 10 electric cars by 2025". Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
- "Daimler to invest 10 billion euros in electric vehicles - paper". Yahoo! News. Reuters. 25 November 2016. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
External links
- Generation EQ at Mercedes-Benz
- Electric mobility: Mercedes-Benz flips the switch: Generation EQ – mobility revisited at Daimler AG
- Behrmann, Elisabeth (29 September 2016). "Mercedes EQ Brand Plans 10 Models to Take on Tesla". Bloomberg. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
- "Mercedes-Benz Energy Storage enters the U.S." (Press release). PR Newswire. 2 November 2016. Retrieved 28 November 2016.