Mercedes to reportedly unveil a relatively affordable all-electric hatchback with long range

After unveiling Mercedes’ new all-electric ‘EQ’ sub-brand last year, Daimler showed great ambitions to become a leader in all-electric vehicles.

The first effort is expected to come to market next year in the form of a luxury SUV called ‘EQ C’ unveiled last year, but now we learn that they reportedly plan to follow the vehicle with a relatively affordable all-electric hatchback with long-range to be unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show in September.

UK publication Autocar made the claim citing sources last week.

They suggest that the vehicle will be called ‘EQ A’ and become the entry-level vehicle in the EQ sub-brand at “around £35,000”, which is about $45,000 USD.

While it would be unveiled in September, the vehicle is planned for production in 2020, according to Autocar:

“The new electric car concept, presently undergoing construction at Mercedes-Benz’s in-house prototype workshop near its headquarters in Stuttgart, is said to preview the German car maker’s planned entry-level EQ A. That model is planned to go on sale in 2020 as part of a full line-up of electric-powered models.”

Interestingly, the hatchback segment is already electrified for Mercedes with the all-electric B-Class, but it was built using its gas-powered platform and not the new EQ all-electric platform.

Daimler partnered up with Tesla back in 2009 and until last year, the electric automaker was producing the electric powertrain for the electric B-Class and Daimler’s electric Smart car.

They have now brought in more of the production and development of electric powertrains in-house, but they still rely heavily on third parties. It left the company somehow behind in electrification with the latest 2017 B-Class electric starting at $40,000 with a range of 87 miles.

These new ‘EQ’ vehicles are expected to be Mercedes’ first significant effort to build its own electric vehicles from the ground up – starting with the luxury SUV next year.

At ~$45,000 USD, the ‘EQ A’ would be an electric vehicle priced at the lower end of Mercedes’ overall line-up. We should know more in September.