Car – eqc: the better electric mercedes

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EQC: The better electric Mercedes

It has everything you could wish for in a Mercedes. And it runs on electricity. The EQC is the beginning of an entire family of electric cars with the star.

The EQC is characterized by good driving comfort and sufficient range for longer journeys.

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E-mobility is gaining momentum, slowly but steadily. Around 40,000 pure electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids are currently on our roads – i.e. around one percent of all cars are fully or partially electric.

The charging infrastructure is growing step by step, battery production is becoming more efficient and Empa is currently working on a solution for battery recycling, according to which 93 percent of the batteries should be recycled.

With the ever-improving framework conditions, the range of e-cars is also growing. Because the car manufacturers in particular have a strong interest in bringing as many electric vehicles onto the road as possible. This is the only way to meet the ever stricter CO2 targets. Mercedes is therefore launching the “sub-brand” EQ, under which purely electrically powered models will be presented in the coming years.

The EQC starts off in the guise of an upper mid-range SUV – the segment that probably promises the best sales opportunities at the moment. With all-wheel drive, 408 hp and 80 kWh battery capacity, the EQC costs from 84,900 francs. A comparably large Mercedes GLC with all-wheel drive and 330 diesel hp is around 10,000 francs cheaper, but more expensive to maintain.

Dignified and stress-free on the go

An e-car has to be able to compete with a conventional combustion engine in order to be successful, and not only when it comes to costs. In order to convince prospective buyers, the Stromer simply has to be the better car. Or in the case of the EQC: the better Mercedes. The brand’s image is undoubtedly strong.

It stands for quality, sublime luxury and sovereign travel. In this respect, the EQC manages to outdo its combustion engine colleagues. The quiet electric drive in combination with the very good noise insulation makes the SUV appear extremely solid, especially since it accelerates without delay and jerks and always has enough reserves in stock. This is how you glide through the traffic in the electric star in a superior and stress-free manner.

Car - EQC: The better electric Mercedes-better

Noble cockpit: The interior is based on the latest innovations in the field of electronics. Image: Aeberli/zvg

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Traveling with an e-car naturally also includes the topics of range and charging options. According to the advantageously calculated NEDC standard, Mercedes specifies 430 kilometers. 380 kilometers are realistic in everyday life, if you drive sparingly, you can also drive 400 kilometers before you have to head for the next charging station.

This means that the EQC drives significantly further than its competitors from Audi (e-tron) and Jaguar (iPace), although it has the lowest battery capacity at 80 kWh. With a consumption of 17.8 to 24.5 kWh/100 km, depending on driving style, the EQC is more economical than its competitors, so that it not only drives further, but can also increase its range more quickly at the charging station.

At a DC fast charging station, it charges with up to 100 kW; from 10 to 80 percent it takes about 40 minutes. The only pity is that the EQC can be charged with just 7.4 kW at an AC charging station, which is often found in cities or in public buildings. The battery only provides power for around 30 kilometers in one hour – even if the charging station, usually 11 or 22 kW, could give significantly more.

Car - EQC: The better electric Mercedes-electric

Unlike the competition, there is no storage space under the hood. Image: Aeberli/zvg

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Loading via screen or chip card

Nevertheless, the EQC proves to be fully suitable for everyday use in the test. It reliably shows the remaining range, and the navigation system also calculates how much power will still be left at the destination. In addition, the navigation system also helps to find charging stations on the go; but does not always plan the fastest possible stations.

This works without any problems using the included smartphone app, which can also transmit the routes to the car. You can either pay, which is a bit cumbersome, via the screen in the car or a chip card that is supplied.

With the EQC, the Swabians have succeeded in creating a mature e-car that shows that a real Mercedes can very well be on the road with electricity – or: that the Stromer is actually the better Mercedes in the end, especially since the network of fast charging stations in Europe is constantly growing.

And improvements in details, such as route planning, can be submitted later via software update.

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