Nine other battery-powered models will follow
Mercedes-Benz is gearing up for the launch of its first standalone all-electric vehicle under the newly-announced EQ brand.
The first EQ-branded EV will be an SUV based on the EQ show car unveiled at this year’s Paris Motor Show. Mercedes-Benz has announced the new production model will be built in Bremen by the end of this decade. The company has chosen the plant because of its flexibility, high speed, and quality standard, Mercedes-Benz Cars CEO Dieter Zetsche said.
The battery-powered EQ SUV will have a range of up to 500 km (311 miles) and will be recognizable as a Mercedes not only because of its design but also due to qualities such as safety, comfort, functionality, and connectivity. The model will be the first of more than ten all-electric models planned by 2025, which will be built within Daimler’s existing global production network that has sites on four continents.
While the EQ SUV will be built in Bremen, the battery pack will be supplied by Daimler subsidiary ACCUMOTIVE from its plant in Kamenz. The company is currently expanding its production capabilities as part of an investment of €500 million, with the aim of becoming one of the largest and most modern battery factories in Europe. In the future, ACCUMOTIVE will produce lithium-ion batteries for all Mercedes-Benz and Smart vehicles, including plug-in hybrids and all-electric models.
The Bremen plant currently builds ten different models, including the C-Class (Saloon, Estate, Coupé, and Cabriolet), GLC (SUV and Coupé), E-Class (Coupé and Cabriolet), SLC, and SL.