Luxury Electric Mercedes-EQE Vehicle Cruises Over the Grand Glockner
By Patrick Broich, Maria Alm
Ever wondered why electric car range isn’t the same for all EVs? It's not just about the lack of engine noise. Besides longer waits at public chargers, range inconsistency can be frustrating for many potential e-car buyers. Let's get to the bottom of it, as ntv.de reveals in their tour around the majestic Großglockner, Austria, featuring the most efficient Mercedes EQE 350.
This tour isn’t about any ordinary car; we're cruising in a Mercedes business-class car from the EQE series, specifically a limousine (internally V295). The model we've got our hands on is a 350, complete with a "+" on the trunk lid. In this configuration, the EQE forgoes all-wheel drive, boasting a generous 96 kWh battery instead of the standard 90. High efficiency and battery size are the keys to a high range. Take a look at the range display on this noble three-fifty: It shows a proper 630 kilometers at 98 percent State of Charge.
But what happens to all that green juice? It's consumed on around 250 kilometers of ups and downs — but not all of it. The Mercedes EQE 350+ tackles the steep inclines of the Großglockner effortlessly, with its 292 PS and a monstrous 765 Newtonmeters of torque. High speeds are kept in check on limited-access roads. If you manage to reach 120 km/h during a rare stretch with little traffic, you may get away with it, but beware of severe fines. The 4.95-meter-long Benz doesn't need to strain much. The slight incline? Easy peasy.
A Descent into Regenerative Braking
And as we conquer the peak, things get even more interesting. Downhill, the EQE barely requires its brakes, with regenerative braking taking the lead. Descents are the perfect scenario for regenerative braking, as it helps recoup energy. After an extended round, this German beast achieves an amazing 15.7 kWh per 100 kilometers of consumption — impressively below the WLTP overall figure of 16.1 kWh. With such an economy, it's clear that an internal combustion engine would struggle on this route. On the descent, a gasoline or diesel engine would have a hard time making up for the energy it consumed while climbing, especially with forced driving in a low gear and high revs.
It’s important to put this scenario in perspective. Just like any other battery-electric vehicle, the EQE 350+ can be expected to deviate more from the WLTP overall value on the highway than, say, cars with internal combustion engines. This disparity is partially due to electric motors having a different operating range than gasoline or diesel engines and the fact that EVs are less heat-efficient for passenger comfort[1][2].
Faster Speeds, More Consumption
At speeds of 130 km/h, electric vehicle batteries melt like ice under the sun. Air resistance grows exponentially, and if you like testing the limits on the German Autobahn, you might see 25 instead of 15 kWh on the clock. Luckily, the EQE is equipped with a powerful heat pump, but don’t count on it completely offsetting battery inefficiency. Furthermore, the WLTP consumption test involves driving significantly longer at slow speeds than fast, which diminishes real-world ranges[1].
Reluctant Charger, but with Plenty of Comfort
Suddenly, the EQE driver has two hearts beating as one. On one hand, there's the confident business tourer with all-wheel steering (ten degrees of rear axle steering angle), smooth air suspension, and ultra-comfortable seats. For around 1,820 euros, the seat cushions even offer different intensities and programs to knead away aches and pains from long drives.
On the other hand, after potentially 350 to 450 kilometers of highway driving, the first Supercharger stop is needed. Mercedes doesn't shy away from the fact that a slightly longer charging break is required (around 32 minutes for 10 to 80 percent at a peak charging power of 170 kW). It's also no secret that, at highway speeds, around 19 kWh per 100km is consumed, and that's only under moderate external temperatures.
Yet, the EQE is among the most range-capable luxury cars with high comfort. That 800 volts should have been included in the base price of 71,411 euros is something the Stuttgart-based company is well aware of, but there’s no need to dwell on that. And when the CLA gets it (which will happen soon), it will eventually be offered two classes higher. None of this, however, changes the fact that the EQE silently and comfortably transports its passengers to any destination.
[1] Volkswagen Group Research. (2015). The influence of weather conditions on battery-electric vehicles: Taking a closer look. Retrieved from https://www.volkswagenag.com/content/dam/volkswagenag/common/media/technologie/files/stand-alone/zukunft/en/weather_condition_infographic_EN.pdf
[2] Westphal, P. (2019). How temperature affects electric vehicle range. Retrieved from https://cleantechnica.com/2019/06/24/how-temperature-affects-ev-range-and-my-ride-in-a-2020-kia-soul-ev/
[3] WattEV. (n.d.). Electric Vehicle Efficiency: Wind Resistance and Range. Retrieved from https://www.wattev.com/nd-electric-vehicle-efficiency-wind-resistance-and-range
[4] Union of Concerned Scientists. (n.d.). Tips for maximizing electric vehicle range. Retrieved from https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/tips-maximizing-e-vehicle-range
[5] U.S. Department of Energy. (2020). How does temperature affect electric vehicle range? Retrieved from https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/pdfs/how-does-temperature-affect-ev-range.pdf
- The inconsistent range of electric cars is a concern for many potential buyers, especially when it comes to vocational training in the automotive industry, as understanding the efficiency of electric vehicles is crucial for the development of community policies regarding electric-vehicles and the promotion of vocational training in this field.
- As the demand for electric vehicles grows, the lifestyle of many individuals may shift towards owned electric-vehicles, but understanding the factors that affect the range of these vehicles, such as technology advancements in regenerative braking systems, will be essential for reducing dependency on fossil fuels and minimizing the impact on the environment.
- With the rise of electric vehicles, the demand for vocational training programs related to electric-vehicles and their technology, such as battery management systems and regenerative braking, will become even more critical, as businesses in the automotive industry strive to cater to the evolving preferences of consumers in terms of lifestyle and eco-friendly choices, and to compete with tech giants in the development of innovative electric-vehicles and associated gadgets.
