Mercedes-Benz is getting ready to reveal its flagship electric model, the EQS. The sedan EV, which is purpose-built, is expected to boast industry-leading specs. The reveal will take place on April 15th and Mercedes has chosen to tease us with some info ahead of the day.
The battery is the biggest news here. With a 108 kWh, it is expected to keep the EQS going for a whopping 435 miles on a single charge! Fast charging for as a little as 15 minutes will yield a range of 155 miles!
This is huge in an industry where top electric cars in the industry boasts around 400 miles of range. It shows Mercedes’ willingness to compete.
Mercedes is going to make the batteries itself at its Hedelfingen plant in Germany. The company plans to be involved in all the aspects of battery production, including research and development. It has started the process of establishing nine factories dedicated to batteries all over the world.
Apart from the battery, the EQS will also feature a massive 56 inches screen dubbed the Hyperscreen as the dashboard. It will be curved and run the full width of the car. It will feature a second screen for the co-driver, subject to local regulations.
More electric Mercedes vehicles are in the horizon as the German auto maker is going to produce 8 purely electric models next year, as part of its plan to fully embrace e-mobility. By 2030, the company wants half of its production to be hybrids and BEVs.
Markus Schaefer, the Chief Operating Officer, explained in a phone interview: “We boosted flexibility of all factories worldwide so that we can produce hybrids, fully electric cars and combustion vehicles everywhere, depending on customer demand and individual market developments.”
In preparation for more activities in the electric segment, Mercedes is carrying out a complete restructuring of its long-serving manufacturing plants to handle EV production. As a result, the parent company, Daimler AG, is going to spin off its truck operation.
Mercedes expects an increase in electric vehicle demand and is positioning itself to claim a share of the market by being flexible enough to quickly scale up the production of any part of its line-up. This will include sharing parts or platforms with models from competing brands, where it makes sense to do so.