Mercedes-Benz will, on April 15, debut the EQS, a flagship model built on dedicated electric-car underpinnings, according to Bloomberg. The model will boast a market-leading battery range and mark a milestone for the German brand that has been criticized for taking too long to embrace EVs.
The expected launch follows the automaker’s pledge to compete in the luxury electric-vehicle segment with top technology.
Chief Operating Officer Markus Schaefer said Mercedes would be making eight fully electric cars in three continents next year.
Mercedes is in the midst of a fundamental overhaul that includes disruptive restructuring of combustion-engine sites.
The company will flank the compact EQA and EQB with the larger EQS and EQE this year and make SUV versions of the latter two models at its US Alabama factory.
The battery range model would exceed the 412 miles that Tesla estimates for the Long Range version of the Model S.
Schaefer expects a steep increase of plug-ins this year and EVs that accounted for 8% of deliveries in 2020.
Mercedes forecasts that half of its deliveries will be plug-in hybrids and fully electric in 2030.
The company is open to sharing components or electric car underpinnings with more peers in addition to Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings Plc.
Daimler AG stock is currently gaining. DAI is up 1.01%
