| Mercedes-EQ | |
| Producttype: | Plug-in electric vehicles |
| Currentowner: | Mercedes-Benz Group |
| Producedby: | Mercedes-Benz |
Mercedes-EQ is a series of battery electric vehicles manufactured by Mercedes-Benz. The first model was previewed at the Paris Motor Show in 2016 with the Generation EQ concept vehicle. Mercedes-Benz intends to produce ten EQ models by 2022, three of which will have the Smart brand, representing between 15% and 25% of the company's global sales. All of Mercedes-Benz electric vehicle design and production efforts will target the EQ family.
Mercedes-Benz EQC, the first member of the EQ range, was presented at a special event in Stockholm in 2018.
Dieter Zetsche, chairman of Mercedes-Benz Group, 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". Jurgen Schenk, a director of Mercedes-Benz who will oversee the development of the electric vehicle program, 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.
To meet production targets, Mercedes-Benz Group intends to invest €1 billion for capital expansion projects of its global battery production, half of which will be dedicated to its Deutsche ACCUmotive subsidiary lithium-ion battery manufacturing facilities in Kamenz, Germany. This is part of the company's investment of up to €10 billion for the design and development of electric vehicles.
The vehicles will use the Combined Charging System, a wall charger, or an optional wireless inductive charging system.
See main article: List of Mercedes-EQ vehicles.
In March 2018, the three all-electric Smart models were rebranded to use the EQ brand, Smart EQ Fortwo, Smart EQ Fortwo Cabrio and the Smart EQ Forfour.[1]
In addition to the EQ models, the EQ brand will be extended to the EQ Boost name being given to Mercedes-Benz models using the 48 volt mild hybrid system, while the third-generation of plug-in hybrids due from the end of 2018 will wear EQ Power badges.[1] The new system mates a nine-speed automatic with the electric motor and clutch in the same unit, promising both considerably longer range in electric mode (up to 49 km) and a slightly faster 140km/h top speed.[2]
See main article: article and Mercedes-Benz Vision EQ Silver Arrow. The EQ Silver Arrow was unveiled at the IAA in Frankfurt in 2019, intended as a futuristic electric racing vehicle concept with an intended top speed of over 400km/h. It features a unique body style reminiscent of the 1950s and 1960s era Mercedes sports coupes and features a single center seat with a front visor for the driver. It also features a front fender LED panel that displays motion lighting.
See main article: Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX.
Mercedes-Benz plans to go the full-electric route by 2030 and will soon present a concept car to demonstrate its leadership and capabilities when it comes to electric-vehicle technology. Their goal with the EQXX is a range of 10000NaN0 and part of that is achieved by the slippery body with a .[3]
The automaker has already provided glimpses of the concept, known as the Vision EQXX, and in November its R&D chief, Markus Schaefer, confirmed via a LinkedIn post that the reveal will take place on 3 January 2022. The car will highlight the automaker's stand at the Consumer Electronics Show, which kicks off in Las Vegas, Nevada, on 5 January.[4]
Mercedes-Benz started dropping the EQ identification for its EVs with the battery-electric G580 with EQ Technology.[5] It will be followed by the production of the battery-electric CLA-Class as the first vehicle built on the Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA). A shooting brake and two electric crossovers will be built on the same platform.[6]
Mercedes-Benz cancelled the electric MB.EA Large platform intended to underpin follow-on versions of the Mercedes-Benz EQE and EQS electric sedans and SUVs, instead working on to evolve the EVA2 platform. However, the MB.EA Medium is still in development.[7]
In March 2017, Chinese automaker Chery filed a complaint with the Trademark Office of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce in China regarding the use of 'EQ', as Chery was using the name 'eQ' for an electric version of its QQ3 city car since 2015. The dispute was resolved in July 2017, with Chery retaining the rights to use 'eQ' with numerical models and Mercedes-Benz to use 'EQ' with alphabetical models.
In May 2018, Mercedes-Benz trademarked the terms EQA, EQB, EQE, EQG, and EQS.[8] [9]