10 electric Mercs for 2020
EQC SUV to lead electric boom Mercedes to offer concierge services
EQC just the start for brand’s battery-powered boom
THE new Mercedes EQC is only the beginning in what will be a whole family of electric cars as the German brand confirmed its intentions to launch a total of 10 new EVS in the next four years.
The multi-billion-pound investment will see Smart launch three all-electric models with hard and soft-top versions of its Fortwo, plus an all-electric Forfour, and Mercedes is expected to follow the EQC with a smaller EQA hatchback, previewed by the concept (above).
Mercedes’ board member responsible for research and development, Ola Källenius, confirmed that there will be “several sedans in the EQ family”. Auto Express understands a small van and further SUVS and crossovers will complete the 10 all-electric EQ models.
As with the line-up of cars under the Mercedes brand, the range of EQ models will start with the EQA as the smallest, and go up to a large luxury electric vehicle called EQS.
The EQB is expected to be a crossover, while an EQE saloon is also likely to join the family alongside another SUV. The electrified van should be launched in the next few years, wearing the EQV badge.
Mercedes boss Dieter Zetsche confirmed that Mercedes expects fully electric cars to account for “between 15 and 25 per cent of our range by 2025”, with the line-up of 10 models covering “60 per cent of the market”.
The EQC SUV will arrive in showrooms at the end of next year with an expected price above that of the Jaguar I-pace, at between £65,000 and £70,000. It’ll be the first model from what Mercedes claims will be the “coolest and most desirable electric car brand in the world.”
In addition to the EQ models, the EQ brand will be extended, with the EQ Boost name being given to Mercedes models using the new 48V mild-hybrid system, while the new generation of plug-in hybrids due from the end of 2018 will wear EQ Power badges.
The EQ brand is being launched with an array of additional services, including a Mercedes-branded 7.4kw charging wallbox, and a range of concierge services.
Potential customers can also make use of Mercedes’ EQ app that will track a driver’s average use and let them know if an EV fits into their lifestyle, including recommendations for public charging points on regularly taken routes.
“Fully electric cars will make up 15 to 25 per cent of our range g by y 2025” DIETER ZETSCHE Chairman of the board, Mercedes
“EQ will be the ‘coolest and most desirable electric car brand in the world’, according to Mercedes”