Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the first teaser image of the production version of the EQC. The EQC is Mercedes’ first all-electric vehicle, and they’ve confirmed that they will unveil the vehicle in full next week. This will be the vehicle that will launch Mercedes’s new “EQ” brand for their all-electric vehicles. This vehicle will, of course, compete with several new premium SUV’s that are scheduled to come to market around the same time. Why the name EQ though? At the Paris Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz unveiled its new product brand for electric mobility: EQ. The name EQ stands for “Electric Intelligence” and is derived from the Mercedes-Benz brand values of “Emotion and Intelligence”. The new brand encompasses all key aspects for customer-focused electric mobility and extends beyond the vehicle itself. EQ offers a comprehensive electric mobility ecosystem of products, services, technologies, and innovations.
Sure, the car might be great, but what about charging it? Mercedes-Benz already offers a suitable charging infrastructure for electric cars, including a wall box as a fast-charging station for the home, the free app “Charge&Pay” for convenient recharging at public charging stations as well as – for home-owners and businesses – stationary energy storage units for power generated by photovoltaic or solar systems. All these products and services will in the future be bundled under EQ. In this way, Mercedes-Benz is creating a consistent and clear image for sustainable products and services with the star.
When you fill up your tank of gas, how far can your car take you? With the EQ, you can drive up to 500 kilometers before you have to recharge. Is that far enough though? I guess it depends. Most of my current driving is done in the city, and while my car can go farther than that, it wouldn’t hurt if I had to fill up before I do now. Would it be annoying? Yes, but if I could “fill up” while my car was parked, then maybe I wouldn’t mind.
The last thing I want to explore is whether or not electric vehicles are worth it? They have a lot of perks – zero emissions, a quiet ride and instant acceleration. But, can they save you money? If they can, then this is an industry that is as good as gold. But if they can’t, well, then they’re going to have to figure it out. The short answer is no, it can’t save you money. The sheer cost of the electricity over the course of a year is going to cost you far more than the price of a gallon of gas. Sure, you might not be driving as far on electric, but you’re not necessarily going to be able to make up for that cost.
Electric cars do have lower maintenance costs. Owners can drive in the high-occupancy vehicle lanes, and in general, know that they’re causing less damage to the environment. But, we’re still a car culture. A lot of our identity is tied up in cars. Which means it’s going to be a while before we are able to come to terms with the fact that electric cars might be better for us and the environment. I’m happy to see manufacturers like Mercedes building electric options into their fleet. When they will become more mainstream is anybody’s guess.