No Mercedes-Benz GLC EV until 2030
Mercedes-Benz to skip EV power for top-selling GLC SUV until brand goes all-electric next decadeThe second-generation 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC will arrive in Australia early next year, but unlike its arch-rival, the BMW X3, a battery-electric version will not be available during its lifecycle.
Mercedes-Benz already offers a silent all-electric mid-size luxury SUV, the Mercedes-Benz EQC, but there are plans to offer a more affordable, volume-selling GLC EV globally to rival the BMW iX3.
However, global Benz executives have confirmed to carsales that the electric GLC is only in the early stages of development and will not debut until the third-generation version of its top-selling SUV arrives from around 2030.
So why is Mercedes-Benz waiting another generation, around seven years, to deploy what could be its best-selling electric car worldwide?
“There are two reasons,” said Mercedes-Benz vice-president for vehicle development, Joerg Bartels.
“We have a high customer demand for combustion-engine GLC, and the second reason is that we don’t see sufficient charging infrastructure in every region in every country, and that’s probably the reason for customers still liking combustion engine.”
The second-generation Mercedes-Benz GLC will launch Down Under in a single model grade, the GLC 300, which uses a conventional internal combustion engine supported by mild-hybrid technology.
Mercedes-Benz Australia has decided not to offer greener plug-in hybrid powertrains available in Europe, citing lack of demand.
Bartels oversees the development of every model in the Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicle range, and told carsales there was no immediate need for a GLC EV.
“Our strategy is pretty clear. We want to be fully electric by 2030,” he said.
“The reason for not having the GLC at this point of time as fully electric is very simple,” he added, reiterating the high global demand for combustion engines.
“At the moment we have the EQC and that’s another of the reasons why we developed this car [GLC] with a [plug-in] hybrid powertrain architecture, so it makes more sense to keep this separate.
“Having the combination with the hybrid and having a range of over 100km and … we will raise the range to 130km, I’m totally impressed what this car is capable of and how efficient it is.
“And I think this is kind of an entry into the electric world for many customers, so it’s a very good stepping stone.”
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