While Mercedes-Benz might offer a wide range of EQ-branded electric cars right now, it was actually quite a late entrant to the market. This is a surprise when one considers the company’s domination of the hybrid-era of Formula 1, but rather like the opposition, it was left trailing by new, bespoke products from Tesla, Nissan and others.
The firm dipped its toe in the EV waters in 2014 with the B-Class Electric Drive (below). Largely forgotten now, this usefully-sized family car had its drive system supplied by Tesla, and thanks to a 189hp motor, proved a reasonably entertaining drive. With a 28kWh battery, it was limited to a range of about 100 miles in real-world driving, but as a first effort, it was a good effort from Mercedes-Benz.
However, being based on a petrol/diesel powered car was a compromise, so it started work on its own all-new Mercedes-Benz electric car platform that would ultimately lead us to the ever-expanding model range on offer today, starting with the EQC. That led the firm to developing its Electric Vehicle Architecture (EVA and EVA2), which underpin the EQE, EQS and EQS SUV.
All of Mercedes-Benz’s EQ-branded electric cars feature smooth, aerodynamic styling and full-width light strips front and rear, so they certainly stand apart from their petrol- and diesel-powered counterparts. We’ve listed every example you’re able to order now below, and there’s info on forthcoming models at the bottom of the page, too.
Mercedes-Benz electric cars available in the UK now
Mercedes-Benz EQA
The Mercedes EQA is based on the GLA, and was the firm’s second EV to hit the UK market. It’s a premium family car to rival to the Audi Q4 E-Tron, and although it doesn’t benefit from bespoke EV architecture like the Audi, it puts up a great performance. Thanks to a chunky 66.5kWh battery, you’ll get between 250 and 264 miles of claimed range depending on which spec you go for.
The EQA 250 has a single 190hp motor that drives the front wheels, resulting in 0-62mph in 8.9 seconds, while the EQA 300 and 350 add a second motor at the rear for four-wheel drive and a whole lot more performance. How much more? The 350 dashes from 0-62mph in 6.0 seconds flat. Best part of an EQA is its interior, which is a clean, modern design that matches the comfortable nature of the car.
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Mercedes-Benz EQB
The Mercedes-Benz EQB is the big brother to the EQA, with the added advantage of having seven seats. It was launched in 2021 and is basically the electric version of the Parkers award-winning GLB – and as such, it’s a highly-practical and prestigious electric family car. The nearest rivals to the EQB is probably the Volkswagen ID.4 and Skoda Enyaq iV, which are saddled with five seats.
It shares the EQA’s 66.5kWh battery pack and offers a similar claimed range of 260 miles with 200-220 in real-world driving. The EQB 250 is the entry-level offering at launch with 190hp to play with, while the EQB 350 gets 240hp – more than enough to keep up with traffic. Like the EQA, it has a plush interior featuring twin screens and the firm’s excellent MBUX voice control system.
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Mercedes-Benz EQC
This is where the Mercedes-Benz electric car range gets pricey. You’re going to need almost £70,000 to get behind the wheel of one, and then you’re going to need to start optioning it up. But it’s a capable and comfortable luxury electric SUV that’s also quick off the blocks with a 0-62mph time of 5.1 seconds, thanks to a 410hp motor.
The 80kWh battery gives you 259 miles of range on paper (nearer 220-230 in the real world), and you can top up cells from 10 to 80% full in just 35 minutes if you can find a 100kW rapid charger. As it’s closely related to the Mercedes-Benz GLC, it doesn’t make the bold visual statement that. a Jaguar I-Pace or Tesla Model X, but you do get a well-built, luxury cabin, a show-stopping dashboard and relaxed motorway cruise.
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Mercedes-Benz EQE
The Mercedes-Benz EQE is essentially a partner to the next-generation E-Class, and as such, has a futuristic and smooth style that you’re about to see a lot more of. It’s also very closely related to the EQS (below), which right now, means it really stands out of the road. It’s a great long-distance cruiser, with a decent range thanks to its ample 90kWh battery pack.
The entry-level EQE 350 has 295hp to play with, and an impressive claimed 410-mile range – call it an easy 300-plus of motorway driving. You can attribute much of that to the car’s sleek profile to cut through the air with the minimum of drag. The interior is drop-dead gorgeous too, although it lacks the EQS’s panoramic set of screens. There’s an AMG 53+ version available, too, for those craving more performance.
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Mercedes-Benz EQS
The Mercedes-Benz EQS sits at the top of the company’s current range, and is sold as an electric counterpart to the highly successful S-Class limousine. The entry-level EQS 450+ has some astonishing numbers, and if its 340hp motor leaves you nonplussed, the range of up to 485 miles is very impressive and delivered by a mammoth 107.8kWh battery. That makes it the longest-range EV you can buy today.
The EQS’s interior has an astonishing 1,410mm ‘Hyperscreen’ as its centrepiece. It spans the entire width of the dashboard and brings three digital displays into a single unit, albeit at an additional cost of £7,995. Other than that there are automatic pop-out doors, 350 sensors throughout and much else besides: this is the EV of choice for wealthy business folk with an eco conscience.
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Mercedes-Benz EQV
The Mercedes-Benz EQV is an MPV based on the popular V-Class van. It’s a top-end option with a 100kWh battery for a claimed 213 miles of range. It develops 204hp, which sounds like a lot for a vehicle of this type, but it has 3,500kg of its own bulk to contend with. So it’s not exactly fast.
That said, there’s lots of space inside for passengers and their luggage, and the 45-minute charge time for a 10-80% top up means it won’t have to spend too long out of service.
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Mercedes-Benz electric cars worth waiting for
From its late start, Mercedes-Benz has been rolling out its electric car range at pace since 2020. Following on from the EQE, the firm is rushing to launch an SUV version, which is expected to go on sale before the end of 2023. It’ll be gunning for the Audi E-Tron and upcoming BMW iX5 – and likely to replace the current EQC.
Before that, we get the range-topping EQS SUV, which comes in three flavours – EQS 450+, 450 4Matic and 580 4Matic. It’s not known yet which variants will make it to the UK, but the 450+ claims up to 410 miles on a single charge. Both the 4Matic ones claim up to 380 miles, and every EQS SUV is capable of 200kW fast charging. Expect it in the UK before the end of 2022.
