"The Mercedes-Benz EQC is not just a vehicle with electric drive, it combines hallmark attributes of the brand such as quality, safety and comfort. Its progressive design, unique driving comfort and an operating range absolutely suitable for day-to-day needs emphasise that the EQC is the Mercedes among electric vehicles. This is also shown by its services - from optimised navigation to charging management. It all comes under the heading "Electric Intelligence" – a mobility package that goes well beyond the vehicle itself," says Britta Seeger, member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Mercedes-Benz Cars Sales.
Optimum planning before a journey
Individual services relating to e-mobility have been around for a while. The EQC takes a new, comprehensive approach: the intelligent networking of services and functions considerably simplifies use of the vehicle. With its intelligently coordinated drive system, battery management, charging management, recuperation strategies, digital services and the infotainment system MBUX, the EQC is a new departure in e-mobility.
The experience already begins before the journey. EQC drivers can plan their destinations from the home or office, enter a departure time and bring the interior to the desired temperature. They receive an intelligently planned route including necessary charging stops and an arrival time. On request they can receive a push notification when the charging process starts and ends. This creates transparency and helps drivers to plan upcoming journeys to best effect. Programming is possible directly via MBUX - Mercedes-Benz User Experience or via the Mercedes me App.
Intelligent navigation – more than just from A to B
The vehicle's electric intelligence is also shown in for the EQC optimised navigation. It uses numerous factors to plan a route automatically – including loading stops if necessary. It takes into account e.g. the current charge status of the battery, the weather, the topography and traffic flow, and available charging stations. The route calculation is always based on a fast and convenient route with few charging stops and short charging times – therefore quick-charging stations are given preference. Customers do not necessarily have to charge the vehicle fully, but can charge it to suit the total journey time. The route planning also responds dynamically to changes. It can take place both offboard and onboard, i.e. externally (via the Mercedes me App) and within the vehicle. The journey can therefore be conveniently planned at home before departure, or while already en route if required. The voice control specific to the Mercedes-Benz EQC makes operating the EQC easier – thanks to natural language recognition. It is activated by the key words "Hey Mercedes". This is because the LINGUATRONIC of MBUX recognises and understands many questions and commands relating to electric car specific control aspects. A few examples: “Show me the energy flow”, “What charging settings have been made?”, “Charge the vehicle to 85 percent” or “Where is the nearest charging station?”.
Via Mercedes me Charge the customer receives access to the world's largest charging net with over 300,000 charging points and over different operators of public charging stations in Europe alone (municipalities, carparks, motorways, shopping centres, etc.). Thanks to EQC-optimised navigation, Mercedes-Benz customers can find these stations easily and can gain convenient access to the charging stations via the Mercedes me Charge card, the Mercedes me App or directly from the car. No separate contracts are necessary for this: apart from authentification, customers benefit from an integrated payment function with simple billing. The customer chooses the preferred payment method only once. Every charging procedure is debited automatically. The individual charging processes are clearly listed in a monthly invoice.
Mercedes me Charge also allows access to the quick-charging stations of the pan-European network IONITY. Especially over long distances, the short charging times make for a pleasant journey. By 2020 IONITY will construct and operate around 400 quick-charging stations along the main traffic arteries in Europe. IONITY was founded in November 2017 as a joint venture by BMW Group, Daimler AG, Ford Motor Company and the Volkswagen group with Audi and Porsche.
Tailor-made drive system for efficiency and dynamics
To exploit the advantages of locally emission-free electric drive to the full, the developers of the first Mercedes-Benz vehicle under the new product and technology brand EQ decided on a completely newly developed drive system with intelligent control. Both the electric powertrains (eATS) and the battery were tailor-made for the Mercedes-Benz EQC. Tractive power is provided by an asynchronous motor at each axle. The asynchronous motors generate an output of 300 kW and a maximum combined torque of 760 Nm. The electric motor, a fixed-ratio transmission with a differential, the cooling system and the power electronics form a highly integrated, very compact unit.
The compact electric powertrains (eATS) at the front and rear axles give the EQC the driving characteristics of an all-wheel drive. Intelligent control allows dynamic torque distribution between the two driven axles over a wide operating range, creating the conditions for high driving dynamics. Torque shifting allows the torque to be distributed dynamically between the front and rear axles, ensuring that there is always a satisfying balance between power and efficiency.
To reduce power consumption and increase dynamism, the electric drivetrains are configured differently: the front electric motor is configured for best possible efficiency in the low to medium load range, while the rear one determines dynamism.
The battery: powerful energy pack from in-house production
The centrepiece of the Mercedes-Benz EQC is the lithium-ion battery arranged in the vehicle floor. With an energy content of 80 kWh (NEDC)[2], it employs a sophisticated operating strategy to supply the vehicle with power, enabling an electric range of 445 - 471 km (NEDC)2.
The latest-generation lithium-ion battery consists of 384 cells and is located in the vehicle floor, between the two axles. The battery system is modular in design, consisting of two modules with 48 cells each and four with 72 cells each. The powerful high-voltage battery has a maximum voltage of 405 V and a nominal capacity of 230 Ah.
The entire battery system is liquid-cooled. At low temperatures a battery heater ensures outstanding performance and efficiency, especially while charging. The battery is an integral part of the crash concept for the vehicle as a whole. Its low, central location also has a positive effect on the handling characteristics of the EQC. The battery is produced in Germany, by the wholly-owned Daimler subsidiary Deutsche ACCUMOTIVE in Kamenz/Saxony.
Intelligent recuperation and assistants for good progress
To ensure that the technical operating range is used to the maximum, the Mercedes-Benz EQC also charges its batteries when on the move. On the overrun or when braking, the mechanical rotation is converted into electrical energy and used to charge the high-voltage battery (recuperation). During this process, both electric motors are used as generators. This achieves the maximum recuperative deceleration.
The driver has a major influence on recuperation. He/she is also able to influence the recuperation level using so-called paddles behind the steering wheel. The paddle on the left increases the level of recuperation, the paddle on the right reduces it. The following stages are available:
- D Auto (recuperation via ECO Assist to suit the situation)
- D + (coasting)
- D (low recuperation)
- D - (medium recuperation)
- D - - (high recuperation) This makes one-pedal driving possible, because in most situations the recuperative deceleration is enough not to require operation of the brake pedal.
The ECO Assist assistance system is a particularly intelligent tool that helps drivers to achieve maximum efficiency. Following the maxim of "predictive driving for economy", navigation data, traffic sign recognition and information from the intelligent safety assistants (radar and stereo camera) are networked. The ECO Assist assistance system comprehensively supports drivers in implementing this effective efficiency strategy: by prompting the driver when it is appropriate to come off the accelerator, e.g. because the vehicle is approaching a speed limit, and by functions such as coasting and specific control of recuperation.
In combination with EQC-optimised navigation, active range monitoring ensures that the driver reaches the destination even if a charging stop is missed. The driver receives additional support in the Max Range driving mode, which was specially developed for the Mercedes-Benz EQC. In this mode the driver is encouraged to keep to the speed limit by a haptic accelerator pressure point, so that the next charging point or the destination is reached.
ECO Assist takes the following traffic situations and information into account in its driving recommendations and efficiency strategy: route profile (bends, junctions, roundabouts, gradients), speed limits and the distance from vehicles travelling ahead.The power consumption and range of electric vehicles greatly depend on the driving style. The EQC supports its driver with driving modes that have different characteristics.[3] In the more economical driving modes, the haptic accelerator pedal that prompts the driver to conserve power plays an important role.
Strategic driving for longer range
The power consumption and range of electric vehicles greatly depend on the driving style. The EQC supports its driver with driving modes that have different characteristics.
[1] In the more economical driving modes, the haptic accelerator pedal that prompts the driver to conserve power plays an important role.
The following programs are available:
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COMFORT: Default setting; accelerator pedal characteristic supports a comfortable driving style, but also automatically becomes more dynamic depending on the driving style.
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ECO: Driving program focused on high efficiency and low consumption.
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MAX RANGE: Intelligent driving program that can help the driver achieve the maximum possible range.
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SPORT: Driving program focused on the best response for the highest driving performance.
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INDIVIDUAL: There is also an individual driving program which allows the various parameters to be adjusted separately.
Efficient charge management
Whether at home via a wallbox, while shopping, at work or particularly fast on the motorway: there are various ways to supply electric vehicles with power. Intelligently networked charging solutions focussed on the mobility and convenience needs of customers are an integral part of the new product and technology brand EQ.
As standard the EQC is equipped with a water-cooled onboard charger (OBC) with a capacity of 7.4 kW, making it suitable for AC charging at home or at public charging stations. The charging time required for a full charge depends on the available infrastructure and the country-specific vehicle equipment.
It is faster still with DC charging – which is standard for the EQC – for example via CCS (Combined Charging Systems) in Europe and the USA, CHAdeMO in Japan or GB/T in China. This usually public quick-charging system expands the existing technical standard for AC charging of electric vehicles with the capacity for DC fast charging. Depending on the SoC (state of charge) the EQC can be charged with a maximum output of up to 110 kW at an appropriate charging station. In around 40 minutes, the battery can be charged from 10 - 80 percent SoC.[4]
The EQC can be charged at a domestic power socket, but with the Mercedes-Benz Wallbox Home, all battery-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids by Mercedes-Benz can be charged much faster than from a domestic socket. The Mercedes-Benz Wallbox Home is a charging station that allows fast, safe and convenient recharging at home.
In cooperation with a country-specific charger installation partner, Mercedes-Benz also offers easy and rapid installation of the Mercedes-Benz Wallbox and professional advice on all aspects of e-mobility.
Long-term worry-free vehicle usage
Also available for the Mercedes-Benz EQC are optional, customer-friendly e-mobility services, which ensure long-term worry-free vehicle usage. These include the optional service packages “Maintenance Service”, “Pick-up & Delivery Service” and “Vehicle Warranty Extension”, as well as the "Wearing Parts Package", which are already available on vehicle purchase.[5]
The “Maintenance Service” comprises all required maintenance work for a period of up to six years or a mileage of 150,000 kilometres. Special attention is paid to checking safety-relevant parts and checking the functionality of electrical components. Use of Mercedes-Benz GenuineParts and special tools ensures a smooth and reliable driving experience.
In combination with the “Maintenance Service”, the "Pick-up & Delivery Service" makes planning workshop visits as convenient as possible. The Mercedes-Benz EQC will be collected for maintenance work over a period of six years (or up to six times) and will also be returned upon the customer's request. This service is available from the customer's home, from the office or from any other place within a defined radius around an authorised Mercedes-Benz workshop.
The service package “Vehicle Warranty Extension” protects the vehicle owner against unexpected repair costs beyond the standard Mercedes-Benz new car warranty[6] up to a vehicle age of six years. The extension of the vehicle warranty is the optimal addition to the standard EQC battery certificate for the high-voltage battery, which is valid for eight years or 160,000 kilometres. It guarantees a properly functioning high-voltage battery and also covers significant capacity loss.
The "Wearing Parts Package" includes replacement of important wearing parts such as brake linings, brake discs or wiper blades for a period of up to six years. This supports high value retention for the Mercedes-Benz EQC, and a high level of cost certainty.
All of the service packages are bound to the vehicle for a period of six years and are transferred to subsequent owners in case the vehicle is sold. This additionally contributes to the vehicle's value retention.
In time for the Mercedes-Benz EQC launch there will be a "Holiday Mobility Package" available for customers in Germany[7]. Through access to a Mercedes-Benz rental vehicle with a traditional combustion engine, the customer will be able to travel further distances on holiday in areas that do not yet have sufficient charging infrastructure.
With the Holiday Mobility Package the customer receives a specific "mobility budget" for the premium rental service Mercedes-Benz Rent. This will give access to the full range of Mercedes-Benz products, from a convertible for a summer weekend break, through to the V-Class for a family holiday. The mobility package will be simple to redeem at Mercedes-Benz EQ partners, tailored according to individual needs and with the customary Mercedes-Benz Rent premium service. EQC customers will benefit from a price advantage of around 10% compared to regular Mercedes-Benz rental fees.
