Mercedes-Benz accelerates plans for release of EVs
News
7 Jun 2016
Mercedes-Benz has brought forward its plans for a range of new electric vehicles (EV).
The announcement has come after the German government confirmed it would offer sales subsidies on all EVs priced at below £47,300, as part of an electric car purchase incentive scheme.
The car manufacturer has said that four new electric models will join the Mercedes line-up by the end of 2020.
Two electric saloons and two SUVs are expected, each of which will include so-called hard points such as the windscreen roof structure. While recent comments have suggested the balloons will be based around the C-Class and S-Class and the SUV will share links with the GLA and GLC, little else is known about the upcoming electric-powered Mercedes models.
The first recipient of the new platform will be the GLC fuel cell, expected to be released in 2017. The new hydrogen-powered model will be offered to customers on either a limited lease or outright purchase scheme.
Furthermore, a new generation of lithium-ion battery cells from Accumotive will enable the Mercedes EVs with an extended range of 250 miles, the minimum prescribed by Mercedes-Benz’s R&D boss, Thomas Weber, to make the new zero-emissions models a practical alternative to their more conventional petrol, diesel and hybrid siblings.
