Mercedes putting tech from electric range king EQXX into production

BERLIN: The Vision EQXX is considered the most efficient Mercedes ever built, perhaps even one of the most efficient electric cars overall, given its ability to cover more than 1,000km without a charging stop.

Too bad it's not on sale anywhere. But Mercedes now says the technology behind the efficiency of this Batmobile-like concept car is set to make its way into real-world production cars from the German manufacturer.

Mercedes wants to bring the technology from this streamlined electric coupé into series production as soon as possible, and during test drives, the manufacturer confirmed that the battery and motor are now planned to make their way onto Mercedes' so-called MMA platform.

Designers say the car has twice completed a long-distance journey of more than 1,000km without stopping to recharge and managed to consume less than 9 kWh/100km - about half the energy that Tesla's Model S burns through.

The EQXX's range, although still only demonstrated in in-house tests, puts it several notches above even the best electrics around today, and so far the Lucid Air had set the upper limit at around 835km, followed by the Tesla Model S at 650km.

If the technology does extend the range of Mercedes electrics, it could help ease the so-called "range anxiety" of many buyers still reluctant to switch from combustion cars over fears of running out of power with no charging station in the area.

The new MMA architecture for electric cars is set to be the backbone of the next generation of EQA and EQC electrics, among others, Mercedes now says, and promises first sales by 2024 or 2025.

The motors developed and produced in-house are to have less energy loss than before, while the battery will have a greater energy density.

With a good 100 kWh, it has a similar capacity in the EQXX as in the current electric flagship EQS, but needs only half as much space and weighs a third less.

In addition, Mercedes wants to raise the operating voltage to over 900 volts in order to shorten charging times. The motor in the EQXX on the rear axle produces 245hp and is good for speeds of up to 140kph.

Other details of the technology carrier also have future prospects. For example, the next generation of the MBUX infotainment system is already running on the enlarged Hyperscreen in the cockpit.

For the first time, Mercedes has installed large-scale solar modules on the roof and the rear. These are supposed to additional energy and on sunny days can deliver electricity for 20km to 30km of driving distance.

In other respects, however, the EQXX is still ahead of its time. Its materials made from renewable raw materials, which are grown in the laboratory with minimal energy input, are unlikely to make it into series production in less than three years.