Mercedes-Benz confirms the launch of an electric version of the E-Class

The German manufacturer, based in Stuttgart, has just announced its intention to put on the market a fully electric E-Class saloon. This vehicle will not be the only new zero-emission model from the brand, as it will be joined by many others, some new and some renewed, by 2027.

Although for the time being Mercedes-Benz has not clarified whether this new model will replace the current EQE or not, it seems quite likely that it will. The EQE has not had the expected success, and the brand already showed what its new strategy for the future would be when it renamed the EQG G 580 with EQ technology for its new 4×4 off-roader from the G-Class.

In a statement, Mercedes-Benz explained that its first major launch will arrive this same year with the start of sales of the electric CLA. This model will also be available later in a mild hybrid version.

The keyword is “Flexibility”

The German manufacturer thus continues to bet on electric mobility without reservation, but it no longer intends to put all its eggs in one basket. The company has opted for a much more flexible approach, so that in addition to selling electric and combustion versions of the same model, components such as electric motors, battery packs or control units may in the future be adapted to higher-end models even if they use different platforms.

Unlike the CLA, which will use the same platform for the electric and mild hybrid versions, the higher-end models in the range will use different platforms for pure electric and combustion versions. The interior and exterior design will nevertheless be the same, so that the customer will first choose the model they like best and then the propulsion system that best suits their needs. Quite the opposite of what has happened until now, for example, with the E-Class and the EQE.

In 2024, Mercedes-Benz’s operating profit fell by 31 percent, to 13.6 billion euros, while sales dropped by 4.5 percent to 145.5 billion. The forecasts for this new year are not very encouraging either, so the company needs to make a strong statement with the planned launch of a wide range of models, both electric and with combustion engines. Mercedes-Benz’s plans also include reducing production costs.

Cost reduction

Although the company does not plan to close plants in Germany, it will limit production at its plants in the country, while at the same time increasing production at plants outside Germany with lower production costs, such as the Kecskemét plant in Hungary. Mercedes-Benz plans for 30 percent of its production to take place outside Germany by 2027, compared with 15 percent today.