Mercedes-Benz hitting EV stride in 2020 with four models

By Bruce Brown Published May 22, 2016

Mercedes-Benz isn’t letting the automotive world go electric without planning to play a major role. Benz fans have been wanting to know why MB lacked a response to the Tesla S. The German government has announced a $1.1 billion electric car purchase incentive. And now the word is that four EV models will be in the Mercedes lineup by 2020, according to Autocar.

Due to the high cost of producing new electric-only models from the ground up, it’s expected the Mercedes electrics will share platforms, bodies, and major design components with other models. With the expectation of two sedans and two SUVs, it’s speculated that the sedans will be electric versions C-class and S-class models. The SUVs will share components with GLA and GLC models.

Recommended Videos

The current Mercedes B-class all-electric car‘s Modular Front Architecture (MFA) platform will be used by the GLA electric SUV. In the B-class EV there’s room in the back for batteries. The other three EV models, the C-class, S-class, and GLC SUV-based varieties, will use a newer Modular Rear Architecture (MRA), which is referred to at Mercedes-Benz as Modular Electric Architecture (MEA), according to Autocar.

The Mercedes GLC Fuel Cell, planned for next year, is seen as a precursor to the new EV vehicles. The Fuel Cell is the first vehicle to use the MEA, which gives it room in the floor for batteries and, in this case, hydrogen tanks as well. The MEA platform allows for a range of combinations, supporting either front- or four-wheel drive with as many as three electric motors.

Driving range is always a major talking point for electric vehicles, of course. The baseline for the new Mercedes EVs will be a 250-mile minimum range for all versions. Anything less will make it hard to compete with gas, diesel, and hybrid models.

Contributing Editor

Bruce Brown Contributing Editor As a Contributing Editor to the Auto teams at Digital Trends and TheManual.com, Bruce…

Topics

Cars

Mercedes bets solar paint is part of EV-charging future

mercedes solar paint evs benz electric camper

It’s been said that Albert Einstein’s genius came from his ability to freely wonder and ask child-like questions way before he even tried applying science-based solutions.
It seems some within the R&D department at Mercedes-Benz might be similarly inspired. The German automaker is currently developing a special solar paint that, when applied on the surface of vehicles, can harness enough energy from the sun to power up EVs.
The energy generated by the paint’s solar cells can be used for driving or fed directly into a high-voltage battery.
“The photovoltaic system is permanently active and also generates energy when the vehicle is switched off,” Mercedes says. “In the future, this could be a highly effective solution for increased electric range and fewer charging stops.”
The layer of paste to be applied on EVs is significantly thinner than a human hair, yet its photovoltaic cells are packed full of energy. Covering the surface of a mid-size SUV with the paint could produce enough energy for up to 7,456 miles per year under ideal conditions, Mercedes says.
This does imply being in geographic locations with plenty of sun hours during the day.
But even with less-than-ideal sun hours, the energy yielded can make a significant difference to EV charging. Mercedes says the solar-paint charge could provide 100% of needed energy for an average daily drive of 32 miles in sun-drenched Los Angeles. In much less sunny conditions -- such as around Mercedes’ headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany -- it would still yield enough energy for 62% of the distance.
An added bonus for environmentally-conscious drivers: Unlike some solar panels, the solar paint contains no rare earth or silicon – only non-toxic, readily available raw materials. It’s also easy to recycle and considerably cheaper to produce than conventional solar modules, Mercedes says.
The likes of Aptera, Sono Motors, Lightyear, and Hyundai have also been researching how to best harness solar energy to power up EVs.
But that’s been mostly through solar panels yielding enough energy for small and light vehicles, such as Aptera’s three-wheel solar EV. Solar paint could bring solar charging for bigger vehicles, such as electric SUVs, Mercedes says.

Cars

I spent a week with an EV and it completely changed my mind about them

The Cupra Born VZ seen from the front.

After spending a week with an electric car as my main vehicle, opinions I’d formed about them prior to spending so much time with one have changed — and some quite dramatically.

I learned that while I now know I could easily live with one, which I wasn’t sure was the case before, I also found out that I still wouldn’t want to, but for a very different reason than I expected.
Quiet and effortless

Cars

Aptera’s 3-wheel solar EV hits milestone on way toward 2025 commercialization

Aptera 2e

EV drivers may relish that charging networks are climbing over each other to provide needed juice alongside roads and highways.

But they may relish even more not having to make many recharging stops along the way as their EV soaks up the bountiful energy coming straight from the sun.