The three pointed star goes all-in on all-electrics. Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – Oct. 16, 2022 2023 Mercedes Benz EQE In January of 1886, Carl Benz filed an application in Berlin to patent his three-wheeled motor car. That day is considered the official birthday of the automobile. At the same time, Gottlieb Daimler was developing the first four-wheeled motor car. Working independently of each other, the two founded Mercedes-Benz which laid the foundation for all passenger cars, commercial vehicles and buses from that century going forward. Mercedes-Benz was also quick to pursue alternative drive technologies. As early as 1906, Mercedes equipped its automobile lineup with battery-electric drives. Which brings us to today… Building on well over a century of innovation, Mercedes-Benz is on its way to emission-free mobility. Meet the Mercedes-Benz EQE The EQE SUV is built from the same platform the EQE sedan is, but the wheelbase is 119.3 in., 3.5 in. shorter. The exterior design starts upfront with a black panel grille an embedded three-dimensional star. LED High Performance headlamps are standard. The Day light opening (DLO) is surrounded by chrome. The outside mirrors are mounted on the shoulder for aerodynamic and aeroacoustic reasons. A chrome underguard sits in the black surroundings of the lower bumper. The profile includes flush-fitting door handles, standard. The bottom of the profile is equipped with either an optional running board or a three-dimensional chrome trim. The wheel arches and side sill panels are cladded in black while wheels range from 19 to 21 in. Out back, smooth transitions conceal the luggage compartment sill. Inside, the reverse camera is hidden behind the star. As for the rest, it is std. upscale Mercedes Benz through and through. The MBUX Hyperscreen is one of the best looking, curved dash wide displays ever placed in an automobile. The standard Navigation adjusts your DTE adjusting for topography, route, ambient temperature, speed, heating, and cooling requirements plus calculates the expected charging costs for a charging stop. If there is a risk of not reaching your destination or charging station, Active Range Monitoring issues the prompt to activate ECO driving functions. In addition, the driving speed for reaching the next charging station or the destination is calculated and displayed in the speedometer. One of the most important aspects is that Navigation with Electric Intelligence preheats the battery prior to reaching a charger to maximize the charging rate. Mercedes-Benz EQE Drivetrain The RWD EQE EVs drivetrain includes a single motor outback. The AWD variants include 4MATIC that continuously distributes drive torque between the rear and front electric motors. The front motor can be electronically disengaged allowing for more range than freewheeling the motor would allow. The motors are wrapped in a foam mat to reduce NVH. Its lithium-ion battery consists of ten modules while its battery management software is over the air (OTA) updateable. While Mercedes-Benz has not yet released an EPA range, its WLTP of 342 miles should see it arrive with a 250+ mile range as a back of the envelope guesstimate. The EQE can charge at home on an L2 at a maximum 9.6 kW. When connected to a DCFC, the EQE is capable of charging at 170 kW. The EQE SUV also features a standard heat pump. The waste heat from the electric drive (inverter and electric motor) and high-voltage battery can be used to heat the interior. This reduces the draw on battery power for the heating system, thus increasing the range. Plenty of cargo volume. Mercedes-Benz EQE Safety Like all Mercedes-Benz models, the EQS SUV incorporates a rigid passenger cell, deformation zones and modern restraint systems. The EQE SUV can ALSO detect whether the rear seats are occupied. If a passenger in the rear is not wearing a seat belt, the driver receives a specific warning. The occupant presence reminder can indicate children who may have been overlooked in the rear of the vehicle. Standard equipment includes Active Brake Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, and Parking Package with Surround View System. Mercedes-Benz EQE Chassis The chassis of the new EQE SUV is comprised of a four-link suspension up front and an independent multi-link out back. An optional AIRMATIC air suspension with ADS+ is optional. To increase ground clearance, the vehicle level can be raised by up to an inch. A rear axle steering system with a maximum steering angle of 10 degrees is available as an option. By decades end, Mercedes-Benz intends to go all-electric with BEVs offered in all segments. Since 2022, the two Mercedes-Benz plants in Alabama are carbon neutral. That checks off more than one box to the new US “IRA” law requiring EVs to be locally manufactured – read North America, so new owners are eligible for the $7,500 Fed TC. Local production of batteries is the second key to that Tax Credit and to that end, Mercedes-Benz is producing its battery systems in Bibb County, GA while attempting to source cells manufactured in the U.S. going forward. Production of the EQE SUV will start at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Tuscaloosa (USA) in December. The battery factory in nearby Bibb County supplies the batteries. A battery warranty includes a non-specified performance guarantee of 10 years or a mileage of 155,000 miles with a defined residual capacity. I have no idea what that residual cap is? Mercedes-Benz EQE Early Conclusions It not only looks good it will easily fit into a Mercedes owners’ fleet. The two large drawbacks include charging at just 170 KW and an EPA rated range as low as 250-miles. Currently, that is a strong macro headwind that could limit sales once it reaches dealerships.
