IAA Mobility 2021: why the new Mercedes EQE will challenge the fleet market

Mercedes-Benz revealed four new EV models with the promise of "more sustainable mobility" in Munich at the IAA Mobility event on Sunday. The new EQE has plenty of assets to seduce corporate fleets. 

The EQE can be called the advanced version of the EQS. The EQE is not only a good looking but also a promising EV, with a series of connectivity features and an impressive EV autonomy..Equipped with the user-friendly MBUX hyper screen (12.3-inch OLED display) the EQE offers improved driver assistance. Besides infotainment, the EQE includes an "industry-first" entertainment system, offering a hyper screen display to all front-seat passengers to watch content during their journey.

Based on the premium-class electric architecture (EVA2), the EQE has a larger interior than the E-Class models, offering a volume of 430 litres with an 80 mm longer interior length. The wheelbase of the EQE is 90 millimetres shorter than the EQS, standing at 3120 millimetres.

The navigation system of the EQE is designed to plan the fastest and the most convenient route, reacting to traffic jams and changing the driving style in certain circumstances. The navigation system also calculates the charging plan according to available stations and the visualization on the MBUX infotainment system shows the driver if the battery capacity is enough to go back to the starting point.

660 km autonomy

With 530,000 charging stations globally including 200,000 in Europe, the new EQE promises a more convenient charging experience through the Charge Plug & Charge function. This function requires no authentication of the user and enables charging by just inserting the charging cable.

The EQE model range will include two variants, the first being the EQE 350 with a 215 kw/h (288 hp) engine. The details of the second model haven't been disclosed.

Armed with a 90 kw/h lithium-ion battery, the new EQE can travel up to 660 kilometres with one charge and can charge up to 250 kilometres in just 15 minutes. DC fast charge support will fill up the EQ from %10 to %80 in just 32 minutes. The range of the EQE is a benchmark figure among its competitors, according to Ola Kallenius, Chairman of the Board of Management. 

Mercedes will be fully electric in 2030

Being the fourth new EV model of Mercedes in 2021, the EQE will be followed by the SUV models of the EQE and the EQS, according to  CEO Ola Källenius. He defined the roadmap as “renewing their promise of our industry as driving towards a more sustainable mobility.”

Ola Källenius also revealed their ambition to become fully electric in the luxury car segment as Mercedes plans to offer battery-electric options in all segments it serves by 2022. By 2025, Mercedes plans to offer an all-electric alternative for every model it produces, while launching three EV-only architectures. In the same year, Mercedes aims to increase xEV share to %50 in total sales. Eventually, Mercedes aims to go all-electric until the end of this decade.

Smart Concept #1 wants to conquer the small SUV segment

Daimler AG already shared its plans to spend more than 40 billion euros for electrification. Besides Mercedes, Smart is also working on a new SUV concept with the Chinese partner Zheijang Geely Holding Group. Smart Concept #1 plans to hit the small SUV market with a progressive design and premium equipment, using Geely's Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA). The architecture will allow Smart Concept #1 to have a range of up to700 km and reduce the charging time through 800V technology. Concept #1 will be equipped with a central computer controlling the infotainment, driver assistance features and the E/R architecture. Concept #1 will include a 12.8-inch touchscreen with a 3D display.

Smart's cars will be manufactured in Xian, China and the new models are expected to go on sale in 2022.

Author: Müfit Yilmaz Gökmen
Copyright: Daimler, 2021.