Two massive brands have now waded into the long-range EV market as both Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz began taking orders for new battery-electric vehicles.
The two German-based companies each have increased investments into the electrification of transportation. Mercedes EQC is, essentially, an electrified version of its GLC crossover which will be marketed at 270 miles per charge. Volkswagen enters the space with the ID.3, which comes in three battery options that allows different charge-ranges at 200-, 260-, and 340-miles.
“With the Mercedes-Benz EQC, we are entering a new era of mobility,” Britta Seeger, member of the board of management of Daimler responsible for Mercedes-Benz, told CNBC.com. “It is part of the growing family of all-electric vehicles at Mercedes-Benz and combines brand-defining features such as quality, safety and comfort.”
The EQC was first debuted at the New York International Auto Show — which featured the EQC Edition 1886 — and was highlighted by its 402 horsepower, 564 foot-pounds of torque, and 292 miles per charge. Its website does not list a sales price for United States buyers, noting that it will be made available in early 2020.
Volkswagen, on the other hand, plans to test the market with a $34,000 entry point of the ID.3. That price saw 10,000 orders being place in Europe within the first 24 hours.
It is just the start for the top auto manufacturer in the world, according to Volkswagen executives during a presentation in March.
“We are aligning Volkswagen with e-mobility like no other company in our industry,” they said at the time.
Herbert Diess, the CEO of Volkswagen, said that the company would spend over $800 million to expand its factory in Chattanooga, TN which will be central to another all-electric model and create over 1,000 jobs.
Like Volkswagen, Daimler will be expanding its overall production line.
“We are going to launch 10 pure battery-electric vehicles until the end of 2022, and we are covering the whole portfolio — from Smart [cars] to big SUVs and big sedans,” Wilko Stark, a board member for the company, said at the Paris Motor Show.
It is anticipated that more carmakers will be joining the fray in the very near future with Jaguar Land Rover and Chevrolet slowly developing their long-range technology with production announcements expected soon.
For more on either product visit either Mercedes-Benz.com or VW.com.
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