Mercedes-Benz is reportedly on course to launch four new electric cars in its range by 2020.
The German company is expected to launch two electric sedans and two SUVs by 2020. According to existing information, all four models will borrow platforms, technology, and body shells from production cars with internal combustion engines.
This will be a cost-saving strategy that will also accelerate development for the new electric vehicles of the Stuttgart brand. Mercedes-Benz already employs this strategy with the B-Class Electric Drive, and the new models are expected to follow the trend with minimal changes from the route.
Therefore, the four EVs will look almost identical to their internal-combustion twins, but each will have dedicated design touches to underline its propulsion system.
A report from the Brits at Autocar mentions that the plans for these four models are under the direct guideline of Mercedes-Benz’s Research and Development director, Thomas Weber.
The electric SUVs planned by Mercedes-Benz are reportedly linked to the GLA and GLC, while the sedans share roots with the C-Class and S-Class. Naturally, the latter would probably not be eligible for a government subsidy, but customers of Mercedes-Benz’s flagship sedan do not need such benefits to be stimulated in purchasing a new vehicle.
By using existing platforms and body shells, Mercedes-Benz will be able to provide electric models with lower price tags than those of the current Tesla range. None of the ongoing models in Tesla’s range are eligible for the German subsidy plan, and neither is Renault’s Twizy, as it is classified as a quadricycle, and not an automobile.
Considering that the German government announced a subsidy plan for electric vehicles last week, Mercedes-Benz’s new business initiatives fall in the right spectrum. However, there will be a price cap on the grant scheme, as electric or plug-in hybrid cars will have a maximum price of 60,000 euros, which will prevent the sale of high-end electric vehicles through government support.
This will be a cost-saving strategy that will also accelerate development for the new electric vehicles of the Stuttgart brand. Mercedes-Benz already employs this strategy with the B-Class Electric Drive, and the new models are expected to follow the trend with minimal changes from the route.
Therefore, the four EVs will look almost identical to their internal-combustion twins, but each will have dedicated design touches to underline its propulsion system.
A report from the Brits at Autocar mentions that the plans for these four models are under the direct guideline of Mercedes-Benz’s Research and Development director, Thomas Weber.
The electric SUVs planned by Mercedes-Benz are reportedly linked to the GLA and GLC, while the sedans share roots with the C-Class and S-Class. Naturally, the latter would probably not be eligible for a government subsidy, but customers of Mercedes-Benz’s flagship sedan do not need such benefits to be stimulated in purchasing a new vehicle.
By using existing platforms and body shells, Mercedes-Benz will be able to provide electric models with lower price tags than those of the current Tesla range. None of the ongoing models in Tesla’s range are eligible for the German subsidy plan, and neither is Renault’s Twizy, as it is classified as a quadricycle, and not an automobile.
Considering that the German government announced a subsidy plan for electric vehicles last week, Mercedes-Benz’s new business initiatives fall in the right spectrum. However, there will be a price cap on the grant scheme, as electric or plug-in hybrid cars will have a maximum price of 60,000 euros, which will prevent the sale of high-end electric vehicles through government support.