Mercedes-Benz announces introduction of five full Battery Electric Vehicles for SA
Through the introduction and inauguration of Mercedes-EQ to the South African market – the all-electric world of Mercedes-Benz and the brand which represents all electric-powered vehicles, Mercedes-Benz provided further proof that the age of electric mobility has arrived.
Five new models from the global Mercedes-EQ range will be launched during the course of 2022 in South Africa as part of a clear strategic push to position the brand as a global and local leader in the electric vehicle market.
The range for 2022 includes the EQA SUV, the family-sized SUV EQB, The mid-sized EQC, based on the GLC platform, the electric business sedan EQE and the luxury sedan EQS. These fully electric vehicles from the Mercedes-EQ family are part of a transformation that’s gaining momentum rapidly.
Leading in electric drive and digitization is a key pillar of the Mercedes-Benz strategy that was announced by Mark Raine, newly appointed President of Mercedes-Benz Cars and Co-CEO of Mercedes-Benz South Africa. The new strategy aims to leverage the brand’s strengths in the luxury space, while unlocking the full potential of its unique speciality brands, namely AMG, Maybach, and EQ.
Raine further added that whilst electric vehicle sales are relatively small in South Africa, we will follow the global push towards zero-emission mobility. The Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, Ola Kallenius, has already stated that over the next 20 years, Mercedes-Benz Cars aims to have a Carbon-neutral new passenger car fleet and aims to have plug-in hybrids or all-electric vehicles to make up more than 50% of its car sales by 2030.
The company has created a strong growth strategy for the South African market to capitalise on what it sees as a ‘growth market potential’. The local EV strategy announced by Mercedes-Benz includes the digital transformation of the entire customer experience, focuses on strengthening the positioning of the company as the most desirable luxury vehicle brand, and provides a clear roadmap to support the growth of Mercedes-EQ in the country.
EQA: all-electric dynamic sports SUV
The EQA is a dynamic, all-electric sport SUV. A close relation of the GLA, it delivers all the characteristics of that vehicle, combined with an efficient electric powertrain. The EQA 250 derivative will be available for the South African market, with a power output of 140KW, a range of up to 412km (WLTP) and combined electrical consumption of 17.7kWh/100km.
The EQB: all-electric family size SUV
The new EQB is an iconic electric SUV that incorporates the square forms of Mercedes-Benz off-roaders and projects them into the future. Whether it’s for a large nuclear family (7-Seat option available) or a small extended family, the new EQB offers space for many family configurations and a wide variety of transport needs. This gives it an exceptional position among compact electric cars. This all-electric compact SUV will be available in the form of the EQB 350 4MATIC derivative. This all-wheel-drive model offers a power output of 215KW, a range of up to 419km and combined electrical consumption of 17.4kWh/100km.
EQC: all-electric mid-sized SUV
The EQC was the first car to be produced by Mercedes-Benz in the line of the new generation of the Mercedes-Benz EQ family with a battery-electric drivetrain. It marked the start of the transfer of Mercedes-Benz towards future electric mobility. This all-wheel-drive model offers a power output of 300KW, a range of up to 437 km*(WLTP) and combined electrical consumption of 21.3kWh/100km *(WLTP).
The EQE: all-electric business sedan
The new EQE offers all the essential functions of the range topping EQS in a slightly more compact format. The EQE’s interior dimensions even exceed those of today’s E-Class, carrying the concept of the business sedan into the future.
The EQS: an all-electric luxury sedan
The first all-electric premium sedan from Mercedes-EQ, the EQS redefines the luxury vehicle segment. The innovative and holistic design is based on a new vehicle architecture that fuses technology, design, functionality and connectivity, delighting both drivers and passengers. With ranges up to 780 kilometres and an output of up to 385 kW. The first models to come onto the market are the 245kW EQS 450+, with combined electrical consumption of 18.9-16.2 kWh/100 km.
Picture/s: Motorpress