Mercedes-Benz changes direction on EVs! EQS and EQE set for the chop to be replaced with battery-powered variants of the C-, E- and S-Class
Mercedes-Benz has announced it will no longer offer its EVs in a distinctive body shape and will follow arch-rival BMW by offering battery-electric powertrains of its conventional models, alongside the usual combustion and hybrid offerings.
In the future, according to Automotive News, the German car-making giant will respond to slow electric car sales growth by phasing out its EQ model line-up, as well as its EQ nomenclature that was introduced to help buyers identify a Benz EV.
From now on Mercedes will follow the naming strategy already introduced by the battery-powered ‘G580 with EQ Technology’ off-roader.
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All future EVs will wear the ‘with EQ Technology’ suffix to identify whether it is battery-powered.
The bigger change is Mercedes will no longer produce dedicated EQ models. The current EQE sedan (pictured top)and SUV, EQS limousine and EQS large SUV are set to be the last with bespoke styling and body styles dropped for future Benz EVs.
Benz execs revealed that instead of EQ-branded vehicles, the German car-maker will offer all-electric versions of the next-generation E-Class and S-Class, although the new S-Class with EQ Technology won’t land until around 2030.
A prime example of the shift in strategy is the all-new soon-to-debut CLA that will be available with an electrified combustion engine and an all-electric power.
The EV will be badged CLA with EQ Technology, while the petrol fed version will be the CLA with EQ Hybrid Technology.
The conventional petrol and turbo-diesels, meanwhile, will be simply badged the ‘CLA’.
Next up, the replacement for the EQA and EQB SUVs will both be integrated into the next-generation GLA and GLB
Benz has also confirmed an all-electric version of the GLC is also on the way, although the old EQC has already been dropped from all global markets.
Mercedes has already declared that between now and 2027, it will launch 17 EVs and 19 vehicles powered by combustion engines as part of its “biggest-ever product launch campaign”.
One of the inbound models is the highly-anticipated baby G-wagen that is being pitched as the “son or daughter” of the rugged G-Class.
Based on the same MMA architecture as the CLA, expect the pint-sized G-Class to come with all-electric, hybrid and pure-combustion engines.
