Mercedes-Benz Pledges All-Electric Lineup by 2030
By Edward A. Sanchez – July 25, 2021
Over the last several weeks, western Germany has been hit with some of the worst flooding in over a century. Climate scientists are claiming this is yet another indication of the effects of climate change. Triple-digit temperatures that hung over the Pacific Northwest of the U.S. and southwestern Canada were another. Against this backdrop, Mercedes-Benz announced that it will wind down its investment in internal-combustion engineering while aggressively ramping up investment in battery-electric powertrain technology. Therein, all new Mercedes vehicle launches from 2025 forward will be all-electric, and full electrification of its light vehicle lineup to full battery electric will come by 2030.
The timeline roughly parallels that announced by Volvo, as does its goal of developing of a long-range vehicle capable of a range of 1,000 km (621 miles, presumably on the WLTP cycle), and an efficiency of more than 6 miles per kWh. To help it achieve these goals, Daimler acquired U.K.-based electric motor specialist YASA, which has developed high-efficiency axial flux technology.
Unlike some of those with more idealistic and naïve views of electrification, it seems Mercedes-Benz is fully aware of what a heavy lift fully electrifying its lineup in less than a decade will be. To that end, it is planning up to eight battery gigafactories, both in partnership and in-house, for a combined battery output of 200 gigawatt-hours.
At least initially, the Mercedes-Benz EQS will be the company’s the most visible entry into the EV market.
Naturally, enthusiastic consumer adoption of EVs requires as painless a charging and ownership experience as possible. To meet that goal, Mercedes is implementing Plug&Charge (ISO 15118) on its just-introduced EQS EV flagship which, true to its description, is a one-step charging protocol that handles charge initiation and billing automatically. Mercedes claims its Mercedes me Charge app network encompasses more than 530,000 charging points globally and counting.
Mercedes-Benz’s strategy in terms of platforms sounds similar to that announced by Stellantis. In the case of Mercedes, it will consist of the MB.EA platform, which will underpin medium-to-large passenger cars, AMG.EA, which will underpin high-performance variants, and VAN.EA, which will be the basis for electrified vans and light commercial vehicles. Production will take place across seven factories on three continents (presumably Europe, North America, and Asia).
Mercedes has ambitious electrification ambitions, claiming its light vehicle fleet will be completely electrified by 2030.
It’s easy to get jaded and cynical after reading these news releases week after week that make ambitious claims of electrification, and in some cases, contain hedging language like “aim,” “goal,” or “aspiration.” But gone are the days when executives are publicly saying, “We believe internal combustion will be the predominant powertrain technology until 2050.” Whether they are saying that privately, or secretly wishing for a relaxation of CO2 and emission standards, most seem like they have come to terms that regulations and environmental standards are moving in one direction, and it’s not toward higher numbers of ICE vehicles.
When the company credited with essentially inventing the automobile gets behind electrification, you know it’s a significant development.
While Mercedes may not usher in the era of the $20,000, 400-mile, full-charge in 20 minutes EV, it will take effort at every strata of the automotive hierarchy, and luxury cars are no exception. We wish Mercedes-Benz the best in what seems to be an earnest effort to fully electrify in less than a decade.
(Images courtesy Mercedes-Benz)
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