Mercedes-Benz to become an electric-only brand by 2030

KUALA LUMPUR: As Mercedes-Benz accelerates towards an emissions-free and software-driven future, it is ready to make a shift from an electric-first to an electric-only brand. The luxury carmaker recently announced it will go all-electric by 2030. By the end of the next year, the company will be offering battery-electric cars in all the segments it serves. And, all its upcoming vehicle platforms will be electric-only from 2025 onwards.

"The EV shift is picking up speed - especially in the luxury segment, where Mercedes-Benz belongs. The tipping point is getting closer and we will be ready as markets switch to electric-only by the end of this decade," said Ola Källenius, CEO of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG. 

To make this happen, the German automaker created a comprehensive plan that calls for more than 40 billion euros investment between 2022 and 2030. The technology-related strategies include the launch of three electric-only architectures viz. MB.EA, AMG.EA and VAN.EA. The first will cover the brand’s medium to large size cars, the second will be a dedicated performance EV platform for Mercedes-AMG cars and the last will be meant for emission-free electric vans and Light Commercial Vehicles.

Mercedes already has one of the world's largest charging networks i.e. “Mercedes me Charge,” which includes over 530,000 AC and DC charging stations all around the world. But for the future, the company is working on a new "Plug & Charge'' battery charging technology that will go live with the EQS launch later this year. Furthermore, the automaker is developing an electric car called the Vision EQXX that will have a range of more than 1,000 kilometers. Its world premiere will happen in 2022. 

Coming to the brand’s production-related strategies, it is currently preparing its global production network for electric cars. Although it can do mass production of EVs presently, it plans to join hands with GROB to enhance its manufacturing efficiency. The GROB is a German global leader in battery production and automation systems. It also aims to set up a new battery recycling factory in Germany by 2023.

In order to achieve its targets, the German auto giant is also transforming its workforce. Last year, it trained around 20,000 employees in aspects of e-mobility. For the MB.OS operating system, the company has plans to hire 3,000 new software engineers worldwide.

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