Mercedes-Benz Concept EQ technology explained

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Mercedes-Benz, as we know, is looking to launch their first all-electric vehicle next year with electrification of its entire portfolio by 2022. The brand’s EQ range of electric vehicles will play a pivotal role in this monumental change and what we have here is the Concept EQ which previews a range of EVs that are currently under development. 

The EQ models will be underpinned by the Modular Electric Architecture (MEA) which allows compatibility for electrification components. Mercedes’ parent company Daimler will be investing 10 billion Euros (Around Rs 80,000 crores) in the expansion of its electrical fleet and an additional one billion Euros in global battery production network. The in-house developed battery technology will scale the global production network with production facilities all around the world. Currently Daimler has five battery factories across three continents.

Coming back to the Concept EQ, it features two electric motors, with a system output that can be increased to up to 300 kW (402bhp) thanks to scalable battery components, and permanent all-wheel drive. While the two electric motors are placed on the front and rear axles, the battery can be found in the vehicle floor. Thanks to all-wheel drive with axle-variable torque distribution and maximum torque of up to 700Nm, the Concept EQ can accelerate to 100kmph in under five seconds.

When it comes to transferring the tech into series production, Mercedes benefits not only from its in-house development, but also from the Group's cross-model-series modular strategy for alternative drive systems and direct access to key components for electric mobility. The high-efficiency lithium-ion battery originates from the Daimler subsidiary Deutsche ACCUMOTIVE. Thanks to their modular design, the battery systems have a model-specific total capacity of over 90bhp.

The range of EQ electric vehicles will be based on an architecture developed specifically for battery-electric models, which is scalable in every respect and usable across all models: the wheelbase and track width as well as all other system components, especially the batteries, are variable thanks to the modular building-block system. The concept therefore has been optimised to meet every requirement of a future-oriented, battery-electric model family. The basic architecture is suitable for SUVs, sedans, coupes and other model series.