Mercedes-Benz Takes A U-Turn Launches Electric SUV In India

The German luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz, on Tuesday (January 14), said that it will be launching its brand new ‘EQC 400’ under its electric wing ‘EQ’ in India by April 2020. 

At the launch event, Mercedes-Benz India said that the company aims to be a 75% green energy manufacturing facility by the end of 2020. Mercedes-Benz claimed that it will be able to produce 1.6 MW every year and reduce 2,600 tons of CO2 per year with the installation of over 4,000 solar panels. 

Martin Schwenk, managing director and CEO of Mercedes-Benz India said that the launch of EQC would mark the entry of ‘sustainable luxury electric mobility’ and EQ into India. “It will be the first dedicated luxury electric brand in India,” he added. 

Further, Schwenk stated that the company is optimistic about launching ‘EQC Electric SUV,’ which is said to lay a strong foundation for the Mercedes-Benz India’s electric vehicle ambition in the country. The company is also looking to add more electric and hybrid cars to its portfolio in the coming years. Globally, it is expected to launch around ten electric cars by 2022.

The German luxury carmaker, in November 2019, had stated that the company will stay away from the Indian emobility market. At the time, Mercedes-Benz had said that it will not be launching electric vehicles (EVs) in India anytime soon. 

Further, the company had stated that it is concerned about the electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure in the country and market demand. Schwenk had earlier said that the company would need a little more time before launching its EV models in India. However, he said that the company might consider launching plug-in hybrid models in India. 

Earlier this year, Chinese automobile manufacturer Great Wall Motor announced the launch of electric car ‘Ora R1’ in India. The Chinese electric car is expected to cost $8.6K and $11K (INR 6.2 lakh to INR 8 Lakh). The US-based electric car manufacturer Fisker Inc. also said it would launch its brand new Fisker Ocean Electric SUV in India by 2023. The electric car is said to cost $39K (INR 27.57 Lakh).

In July 2019, South Korean automobile brand Hyundai launched long-range SUV Kona Electric at $36K (INR 25.3 Lakh) in India. The automaker has also committed $200 Mn to develop affordable electric vehicles in the next three years.