Mercedes-Benz to go all-electric by 2030…in some markets

Like most automakers, Mercedes-Benz is joining the all-electric, emissions-free future and will be saying goodbye to the internal combustion engine. With it, the German marque announced that it will go all-electric by 2030. There is a catch though, the automaker will only sell all-electric vehicles “in markets where conditions” allow.

With that, it seems to imply combustion engines aren’t gone for good from Mercedes-Benz, but more on that later.

By 2022, Mercedes-Benz says they will offer a fully electric model in all segments it serves. So far, the brand’s EQ lineup already has them covered from the EQA up to the EQS and even the EQV. The automaker adds that from 2025 onwards, all newly launched vehicle architectures will be electric-only. Furthermore, customers will be able to choose an all-electric alternative for every model the company makes.

“The EV shift is picking up speed - especially in the luxury segment, where Mercedes-Benz belongs. The tipping point is getting closer, and we will be ready as markets switch to electric-only by the end of this decade,” said Ola Källenius, CEO of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG.

Mercedes’ plan of an all-electric lineup isn’t easy, especially since they only have less than nine years to do so. To facilitate the shift to EVs, the company introduced a comprehensive plan, which includes significantly accelerating R&D. In total, investments into battery electric vehicles between 2022 and 2030 will amount to over EUR 40 billion.

Included in the plan is the launching of three new electric-only platforms in 2025 – MB.EA, AMG.EA, and VAN.EA. MB.EA will cover medium to large size passenger cars, AMG.EA for performance models, and VAN.EA for commercial vehicles. All three platforms will then form the base of future electric Mercedes models.

The company also hinted at a new model coming soon called the Vision EQXX, which will be revealed next year. Mercedes says the upcoming EV will have a real-world range of more than 1,000 km and a consumption rating of more than six miles per kWh, which would make it one of the most efficient EVs on the market if achieved.

As for ICE-powered Mercedes-Benz models, the company didn’t go into details. But it will likely be offered in markets without any decent EV infrastructure in place.