The Mercedes-Benz EQC, a family-size SUV, is the first all-electric vehicle from the company that, by one definition, claims to have built the first car.
It’s built by EQ, the division of Mercedes-Benz established to guide the company’s transition to electric mobility.
Mercedes tell us it’s designed to provide the performance, comfort, safety, luxury and practical ownership experience expected of a Mercedes-Benz vehicle.
Mercedes-Benz Australia-Pacific CEO and Managing Director Horst von Sanden said Australia was among the first countries in the world to receive stock of the ground-breaking EQC, with the first deliveries to customers expected to begin from early 2020.
“The EQC is a game-changer for Mercedes-Benz, but also it imposes a more luxurious standard of electric vehicle ownership,” he said.
“Our aim has never been to be the first to this market, but to offer the most complete solution possible to the question of future mobility. With the all-electric EQC, we are confident we have done just that. Electric now has a Mercedes.”
Energy consumption for the Mercedes EQC is rated at 21.4 kWh/100km. With a full charge the EQC can travel between top-ups for up to 434 km (ADR).
Charging options include free and unlimited fast-charging for the first five years of ownership at Chargefox ultra-rapid charging stations.
A ever increasing number of other public charging stations operated by Chargefox and other providers offer cost-effective recharging options at shopping centres, carparks and other convenient locations.
Mercedes-Benz EQC owners can also recharge at home using the optional Mercedes-Benz Wallbox Home or even by plugging into a standard domestic wall outlet.
By the time the first EQC deliveries begin, approximately 20 ultra-rapid charging sites will be located in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, with many more sites expected to join the ultra-rapid network in 2020. Using this network can provide a driving range of approximately 220 kilometres in 30 minutes, at the maximum DC charging rate of 110kW.
Mercedes-Benz EQC owners will also be able to use a growing number of commercial pay-as-you-go fast-charging locations fitted with a Type 2 CCS plug.
EQC customers can add a Mercedes-Benz Wallbox Home to their purchase, which can be installed on regular single-phase power to deliver up to 7.4kW, which is also the EQC’s maximum AC charging rate. At 7.4kW, the Mercedes-Benz Wallbox Home can add approximately 15km extra range in 30 minutes. The Wallbox Home can also be future-proofed with a supply of three-phase power to deliver approximately 22kW AC.
Customers who have already registered to purchase a Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4MATIC will be first in line to confirm the specification of their vehicle. This follows the successful local launch of an innovative retail program enabling EQC customers to go online, register to purchase, and now lodge a deposit.
As well as pure electric vehicle, Mercedes EQ will also offer a range of options including electrically-boosted combustion engines and plug-in hybrids.
The Mercedes-Benz EQC will be launched to the Australian motoring media on December 2nd. We will bring our initial driving impressions together with further technical details after that event.
The Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4MATIC is priced at $137,900 plus on-road charges. It will be on sale and available to view in EQ showrooms from December 9th, with first customer deliveries to begin from early 2020.
