Electric Mercedes X-Class ute unlikely

If you believe the Mercedes-Benz hype machine, the X-Class ute can do virtually anything.

Except run on electricity, it seems.

Despite having just launched its new electric vehicle (EV) sub-brand, EQ, in Paris just weeks prior and confirming its EV strategy for Australia, Mercedes-Benz chief executive Dieter Zetsche recently admitted to Australasian journalists that the world's safest, smartest ute would not be suited to electrification.

This is unlikely to harm sales of the new X-Class ute – which goes on sale first in Europe in late 2017 and then in Australia in 2018 – as turbo-diesel powerplants are the dominant force in the utility booming sector.

Nevertheless it's a missed opportunity for the brand that says it will be the world's EV leader in 10 years' time.

The Mercedes-Benz X-Class ute will initially offer one petrol and two turbo-diesel engines, including a strapping 190kW V6 turbo-diesel. But Dr Zetsche has already put the kybosh on an EV version.

"A pickup is obviously on the heavy side … and from its origins is not a typical city car and more of a rural product which means the range is less limited," said Zetsche.

"This combination of weight and long range is not the perfect starting point for electrification," he added.

While the hype surrounding the newly-christened X-Class ute has reached fever pitch over the past few days, after the company revealed a pair of concepts in Sweden with high-performance, gas-guzzling AMG versions deemed a possibility, the chances of a zero emission X-Class appear slim.

The X-Class has been developed by Mercedes-Benz Vans division, which has its hands full at the moment putting the final touches on the next-generation Sprinter and Vito vans, that could pioneer electrification for Benz' commercial vehicle arm.

Electric utes will become a reality in due course but for the time being turbo-diesel engines will be the mainstay of most fleets.