The Mercedes-Benz EQC, a family-size SUV, is the first all-electric vehicle from the prestigious German company. It’s built by EQ, the division of Mercedes-Benz established to guide the company’s transition to electric mobility.
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 for up to 434 km (ADR measured).
Charging options include free and unlimited fast-charging for the first five years of ownership at Chargefox ultra-rapid charging stations.
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 expected to join the ultra-rapid network in 2020. Using this network can provide a driving range from ‘empty’ 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. This can be installed on regular single-phase power to deliver up to 7.4kW, which is also the EQC’s maximum AC charging rate. This 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.
DRIVING
During a two day media launch that began at the Melbourne “Mercedes me” facility in Collins Street (try it for yourself sometime, it’s not just for Merc owners – all car lovers will enjoy it) we drove for almost 40 kilometres in a long and winding road through the CBD and suburbs, haunted by seemingly endless traffic lights.
Driving doesn’t get much more realistic than that. Stop-start running is what electric cars actually love because they are travelling at relatively slow speeds and every time you slow down and/or put the brakes on electricity is added to the battery. (It also greatly increases brake pad life.)
The Merc EQC is a decent sized vehicle but has an excellent turning circle as there’s no combustion engine taking up space between the front wheels. This makes it a cinch around the tightest of roundabouts.
Acceleration is instantaneous, our favourite feature of any vehicle running purely on electricity.
We had started with the computer saying we had 318 km till empty. Less than you might expect, but very slow speed driving in tight underground carparks does chew up any type of fuel. After that initial 40km near the city the range the distance to empty was indicated at 293 km.
At long last we were onto the open road, heading by a circuitous country drive to Torquay beside the Bass Straight. There were plenty of hills, again you use extra electricity going up and get some of it back on the way down.
Bends were taken with a minimum of fuss, partly because of the low century of gravity due to the 600 kilograms of batteries under flow. Steering feel is a good on the EQC as on any other SUV Merc we tested.
Again, the huge spread of torque made life simple and pleasant.
When we finally arrive at the RACV Resort at Torquay we had covered 165km and the computer was showing 214km range remaining.
SUMMING UP
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 Mercedes EQ showrooms from December 9th. Deliveries will begin from early 2020.
Would I buy a Mercedes EQC with my own money? Not unless I was wealthy and loved to be an early adopter. Neither is the case.
I’ve driven many electric cars over the last 10 years and improvements are being made at an exceptional rate. I fear that if I bought one today, it would be hopelessly out of date in five years time when I moved to my next car. Perhaps to the extent that the son of the EQC I’ve just tested would cost less, have a range of 650km and be able to take an 80 per cent charge in 20 minutes.
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