THE MOVE TO ELELCTRIC vehicles has been given another boost with the announcement that Australia’s first electric Mercedes-Benz production vehicle, the ground-breaking EQC, will arrive in local showrooms within days.
The Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4MATIC, a family-size SUV, is the result of several years of intensive research, development and testing to create a production-ready, all-electric vehicle delivering the performance, comfort, safety, luxury and practical ownership experience expected of a Mercedes-Benz vehicle.
Customers who have already registered to purchase a Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4MATIC will be first in line to confirm the specification of their vehicle. This follows the successful local launch of an innovative retail program enabling EQC customers to go online, register to purchase, and now lodge a deposit.
The first of a new breed
The EQC is the first fully electric vehicle to be offered for sale from EQ, the division of Mercedes-Benz established to guide the company’s transition to electric mobility. EQ will offer a range of options including electrically boosted combustion engines, plug-in hybrids and fully electric models.
Mercedes-Benz Australia-Pacific CEO and Managing Director Horst von Sanden said Australia was among the first countries in the world to receive stock of the ground-breaking EQC, with the first deliveries to customers expected to begin from early 2020.
“The EQC is a game-changer for Mercedes-Benz, but also it imposes a more luxurious standard of electric vehicle ownership,” he said.
“Our aim has never been to be the first to this market, but to offer the most complete solution possible to the question of future mobility. With the all-electric EQC, we are confident we have done just that. Electric now has a Mercedes.”
The Mercedes-Benz EQC incorporates the accumulated knowledge of more than a century of experience in mass vehicle production. It also harnesses cutting-edge thinking in the creation of a premium driving experience alongside an enticing ownership proposition.
Easy and intuitive
Mercedes-Benz has prioritised a comprehensive package to ensure owners of the new Mercedes-Benz EQC can experience all of the benefits of owning a family-size SUV combined with easy and intuitive day-to-day operation.
Energy consumption for the EQC is rated at 21.4 kWh/100km. With a full charge on board, the EQC can travel between top-ups for up to 434 km (ADR).
When recharging is required, EQC owners have numerous choices. These include free and unlimited fast-charging for the first five years of ownership at Chargefox ultra-rapid charging stations. A growing number of other public charging stations operated by Chargefox and additional providers offer cost-effective recharging options at shopping centres, car parks and other convenient locations. EQC owners can also recharge at home using the optional Mercedes-Benz Wallbox Home or via a plug into a standard domestic wall outlet.
Partnership with recharging company
Mercedes-Benz has partnered with Chargefox as it rolls out a national network of ultra-rapid charging stations, which is the first ultra-rapid network in Australia. Once EQC deliveries commence, approximately 20 ultra-rapid charging sites will be strategically located to assist drivers commuting between Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, with many more sites expected to join the ultra-rapid network in 2020.
Using this network, EQC owners can restore driving range of approximately 220 kilometres in 30 minutes, at the EQC’s maximum DC charging rate of 110kW.
“In partnering with Chargefox, Mercedes-Benz is making a contribution to the uptake of electric vehicles in Australia,” Mr von Sanden said.
“Chargefox is installing the latest technology in order to future-proof its network, and we expect to see the continuation of significant expansion of the ultra-rapid network, providing the seamless experience that Mercedes-Benz owners expect on route to a growing number of destinations.”
Mercedes-Benz EQC owners can also access a growing number of commercial pay-as-you-go fast-charging locations fitted with a Type 2 CCS plug. This would on average provide extra range of approximately 100km from a 30-minute charge.
EQC customers may also add a Mercedes-Benz Wallbox Home to their purchase, which can be installed on regular single-phase power to deliver up to 7.4kW, which is also the EQC’s maximum AC charging rate. At 7.4kW, the Mercedes-Benz Wallbox Home can add approximately 15km extra range in 30 minutes. The Wallbox Home can also be future-proofed with a supply of three-phase power to deliver approximately 22kW AC.
Alternatively, flexible charging is possible from any conventional domestic electrical outlet using a supplied trickle-charger with eight-metre cable.
| Charger type | EQC battery input |
Approx. range added in 30 mins |
| 240V AC – domestic outlet | 2kW | 4km |
| Mercedes-Benz Wallbox Home AC | 7.4kW | 15km |
| DC fast charger | 50kW | 100km |
| DC ultra-rapid charger | 110kW | 220km |
Range may differ subject to variables including charging infrastructure, ambient temperature and battery state
Service and warranty
The EQC is fitted with a lithium-ion battery pack and comes with an eight-year, 160,000km warranty, while a three-year, unlimited kilometre vehicle warranty applies to all other items, with annual servicing intervals.
Owners may specify a cost-effective maintenance package or wear-and-tear package as an option when purchasing, or benefit from three-year, capped-price servicing.
All servicing and mechanical repair work may be performed at any metropolitan-based Mercedes-Benz service centre. Any high-voltage repairs will be performed by specially trained technicians at designated EQ centres.
Power to spare
Ample performance comes standard on the EQC 400 4MATIC, courtesy of two asynchronous 150 kW electric motors generating a total of 300 kW of power and 760 Nm of torque. Via a single-speed, fixed ratio transmission on each axle, and 4MATIC all-wheel-drive with dynamic torque distribution, the EQC 400 can sprint from standstill to 100km/h in a brisk 5.1 seconds. The 405-volt, 80kWh (usable) lithium-ion battery forms part of the EQC’s floor, providing a low centre of gravity.
The Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4MATIC is fitted with a generous standard specification. A highlight of the interior is side-by-side 10.25-inch digital screens, including information displays and functions specific to the emerging EQ family of electric vehicles. The futuristic feel is augmented by the acclaimed MBUX operating system, which allows voice-actuated control of dozens of common functions and also has the ability to ‘learn’ the driver’s habits and preferences.
EQC owners will enjoy all the connectivity benefits of Mercedes me Connect, the smartphone-based app that allows remote engine starting and door locking/unlocking, remote checking of vehicle status, geofencing and many more functions.
High level of standard equipment, tempting option packages
The Mercedes-Benz EQC can be ordered in any of seven standard metallic paint finishes from Polar White and Brilliant Blue to High-Tech Silver, Graphite Grey and Obsidian Black. Three ‘designo’ colours – Diamond White, Hyacinth Red and Selenite Grey Magno – can be added as an option. Open-pore black ash wood trim is standard on the EQC 400, while carbon-fibre-look trim and aluminium-look trim are no-cost options. Upholstery including seats is in AMG black leather, with ARTICO/DINAMICA microfibre able to be optioned at no cost, while other premium finishes such as Nappa leather are available as part of a wider package.
The Edition 1 package is limited, available to just 25 of the first EQC customers. It offers enticing and sporty additions including 21-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels, two-tone designo Nappa leather with diamond-stitched platinum white pearl inserts, climatised front seats, tri-zone THERMOTRONIC climate control, MBUX navigation with augmented reality, and ‘Edition 1’ badging on the B-pillar. The Edition 1 package is priced at $6,900 in Graphite Grey metallic paintwork, or $8,600 in designo Diamond White paint.
The Electric Art Line package ($5,900) includes top-stitching in rose gold, dashboard with fine surface texture in metallic silver grey and topstitching in rose gold, the ENERIZING PACKAGE PLUS wellness program, AIR-BALANCE ioniser, multi-contour front seats featuring adjustable bolsters and massage function, climatised front seats, and a choice of leather finishes.
Pricing
The Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4MATIC is priced at $137,900 (plus on road costs). It will be on sale and available to view in EQ showrooms from December 9 with first customer deliveries to begin from early 2020. More information about the EQ sales network will be announced in coming weeks.