Mercedes Proves Vision EQXX's Claim of 1000km Real-world Range With A Roadtrip Across Europe

Remember when Mercedes-Benz unleashed the Vision EQXX electric vehicle (EV) concept back in January, boasting a bonkers claim of 1000km of range on a single charge? Well, they’ve proved that claim after driving a prototype from Germany to southern France on a single charge! The concept vehicle managed the 1008km trip with an average consumption of 8.7kWh per 100km, significantly better than most production EVs. 

The trip started at the carmaker’s Sindelfingen research and development centre near Stuttgart, Germany. It took the Vision EQXX and its crew across country borders to Switzerland and Italy before reaching the end point at Cassis in France. 

Most of the trip involved highway driving – not ideal conditions for an EV since there’s little room to use regenerative braking to boost range. Nevertheless, the Vision EQXX managed to recuperate energy with every step on the brake pedal and every downhill descent, and arrived at its destination with 15 percent of battery capacity and 140km of range still available! 

Mercedes says that the EQXX stayed close to the speed limit (110-130kmph) throughout the trip to save energy. Even small increments in speed impact an electric car’s efficiency on the highway. On unrestricted stretches of the Autobahn, the EQXX maintained a steady 140kmph cruise.  

Extensive efforts have been made to improve the Vision EQXX’s efficiency. A solar panel on the roof provides power for the infotainment system and charges up the 12-volt battery to improve range by 2 percent, or around 25km. 

The EQXX is a marvel of aerodynamic efficiency, with a drag coefficient of 0.17. Its wheel rims, underbody and bodywork have been fine-tuned for better aero. An underbody cooling plate helps air-cool the battery pack, increasing the range by another 20km compared to a regular EV. It even has custom-made Bridgestone tyres that are optimised for a lower weight and rolling resistance. 

The Mercedes Vision EQXX is powered by a 100kWh battery that’s 50 percent smaller than the one found in the EQS luxury sedan. It’s also 30 percent lighter and weighs only 495kg. It’s paired with a 245PS electric motor that’s so efficient that it transfers 95 percent of the battery’s charge to the wheels – a 44 percent improvement over regular e-motors and transmissions. 

Also read: 

• Mercedes-Benz’ 2022 Roadmap Revealed For India: Mercedes-EQ EQS, Mercedes-Maybach S-Class Confirmed, 8 More New Luxury Cars

• Tesla Could Get Into Lithium Mining For Battery Production Owing To Rising Costs

• Tata Will Introduce Smaller EVs In The Future But Will Not Offer Under 200km Of Range: Shailesh Chandra

With the Vision EQXX, Mercedes demonstrates how small improvements in efficiency can add up to make EVs significantly better. Although southern Europe is hardly the most challenging place to test an EV, it’s a great first start for the EQXX concept. We hope to see its tech in future Merc EVs, but it might be a while before it trickles down to more affordable electric cars.