Mercedes-Benz is taking EVs somewhat seriously. It has invested in great operating software, two dedicated EV platforms, new manufacturing facilities, and aerodynamic designs. It has only five all-electric models currently on sale in the US. However, the three-pointed star brand will continue with its portfolio's total electrification and gradual transformation. That might be why we now get to go inside one of its battery-making plants.
Just like BMW has a shy "i" division for all-electric vehicles, Mercedes-Benz created the EQ brand to underline that it is making EVs as well. It's no standalone entity like AMG yet and might not ever be because, just like BMW, it is slowly incorporating everything "EQ" into the main car-selling business.
At some point, all we will see in the Stuttgart-based brand's showrooms will be battery-electric vehicles and, if proven viable, maybe even some hydrogen-powered automobiles too.
It's not us saying it; it's the brand: "We at Mercedes-Benz are convinced that the future is electric." Maybe that's why the marque downsized the gas-powered engines of some of its most well-known cars by literally cutting away half the cylinders.
In the US, Mercedes-Benz sells the boxy seven-seater EQB, the EQE, the EQS, the EQE SUV, and the EQS SUV. The brand didn't want to find new monikers for its high-riding and more expensive EVs, so it just added "SUV" to the indicative.
Of the five pricey EVs it sells, only two should qualify for the EV tax credit in 2023 – the EQB and the EQE. They meet the price cap. But only the latter was able to get the federal perk. Customers had to have taken delivery before April 18, 2023. As things stand when writing, none qualify. The EQB, for example, is made in Hungary (Europe), and it doesn't stand a chance at getting the incentive because of final assembly requirements.
Even though it has just five EVs on sale stateside and just one that could've got the updated EV tax credit, the automaker made sure to have a battery manufacturing facility in the US. The partnership with Envision AESC allowed the brand to start producing these high-voltage energy storage units in Bibb, Alabama. Mercedes-Benz wants its business and customers to benefit from all the local, state, and federal incentives.
Photo: Mercedes-Benz
Moreover, it understood that shortening the supply chain benefits its business and the environment. The less you need to transport parts throughout the country, the smaller the production carbon footprint is. That's why the automaker also has a battery manufacturing facility in Hedelfingen, Stuttgart.
Just like many others have done before, Mercedes-Benz takes us on a tour of that plant by flying a drone inside. It doesn't reveal too much, but it shows that a team comprising robots and humans makes the energy storage units with care.
It doesn't look as busy as what we've seen at Tesla or Rivian, but it's worth noting that this is where only the battery packs for the EQS and EQE are made. The footage reveals, however, that assembling these energy storage units is not very demanding.
The Mercedes-Benz EQE boasts a 90-kWh battery pack, while the EQS gets the same, plus the option to upgrade to a 107.8-kWh energy storage unit.
Now watch how things happen in Hedelfingen, and don't hesitate to share your take with us below.
Peek behind the curtains: Get an exclusive look at our Mercedes-Benz Hedelfingen plant in Stuttgart, where the high-quality battery systems for the EQS and EQE come to life.#MercedesBenzpic.twitter.com/04ZSaxzqGL
Car shows on TV and his father's Fiat Tempra may have been Florin's early influences, but nowadays he favors different things, like the power of an F-150 Raptor. He'll never be able to ignore the shape of a Ferrari though, especially a yellow one. Full profile
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