GENERATION EQ
Mercedes guns for Tesla
MERCEDES-BENZ is rushing towards a Tesla-fighting electric future and estimates that up to 25 percent of its sales will come from the new EQ sub-brand announced at the recent Paris motor show.
The Generation EQ concept seven-seat SUV hints at the first of at least seven Benz-branded battery cars to come by 2025.
Mercedes’ head of car development, Thomas Weber, says the tipping point is approaching where battery advancements will allow its new vehicles to strike the right balance of affordability, capability and performance.
Generation EQ (which stands for ‘electric intelligence’) previews a new electric architecture. Its stackable battery technology allows for a range of up to 500km, which Weber says is just the beginning. Heady outputs of 300kw and 700Nm reflect a desire to build electric cars that don’t compromise performance.
“What we are going for is a completely flexible electric architecture, as modular as possible, with all-wheel drive and less than five seconds to 100km/h,” Weber said.
“More than in most of our series production cars, driving performance will be key. And that shows a new idea.
“At the start, going electric was only an environmental topic, but we are looking for essentially the best combination of performance and efficiency.
“If that’s possible, the shift from a conventional car to a new type of vehicle really can start.”
Benz has invested ¤ 1 billion ($A1.5b) in its own battery plant. Weber says energy density has doubled in the past five years over the previous five years prior, and there’s more to come.
“There is still uncertainty around pricing. Will customers really jump? Will they like it? In the meantime the [emission] regulations are even tougher.
“We believe this forecast of 15-25 percent EVS is linked to a cost development and an energyy density development, which gives es us a chance to announce this vehicle can be offered in the sameme price range as a fully loaded GLCC with a conventional drivetrain.” Today, that’s about $80K.
Weber even managed a glancing blow at EV darling Tesla.la.
“Such a vehicle from another famous American company is $100-150K, so immediately you are jumping into a completely different price range.
“Volume expectation is linked to sensational design, perfect features, but also price.”
Significantly, EQ models will be produced in existing Benz manufacturing facilities, eliminating the production bottleneck facing Tesla.