- The new EQT scores with variability and high-quality equipment
- Suitable for everyday use thanks to a modern electric motor and flexible charging options
Mercedes-Benz Vans has firmly anchored its leadership aspirations for electric mobility in its strategy, and is systematically electrifying all model series. This includes a range of sector-specific electric mobility solutions – also in the small van segment. The EQT by Mercedes-EQ as a small van combines the variability and high-quality equipment level of the T-Class – its conventionally powered sister model – with the advantages of all-electric drive.
The new EQT from Mercedes-EQ offers families as well as recreationally active people an attractive entry into the fully electric world of the Mercedes brand. The electric small van will be orderable in the near future. Prices start at around 49,000 euros for the EQT with 90 kW electric motor and standard length. Thanks to the Black Panel radiator grille with central star and dynamically designed radiator fins, the new EQT is instantly recognisable as a member of the Mercedes-EQ family.
The electric small van combines compact exterior dimensions with ample space. At the same time, thanks to the protected, space-saving installation of the battery in the underbody, with a favourably low centre of gravity, it offers almost the same variability and functionality in the interior as the conventionally powered T-Class. The EQT is 4498 millimetres long, 1859 millimetres wide and 1819 millimetres high. A long-wheelbase variant will follow this year.
Just like the T-Class, the new EQT offers many advantages that make everyday life easy and comfortable for families and the recreationally active. These include the low loading sill of only 561 millimetres, which makes it easier to load heavy items. The sliding doors on both sides of the vehicle each have an opening aperture of 614 millimetres in width and 1059 millimetres in height. This allows convenient access to the rear, and loading can be done flexibly from three sides, including the tailgate. There is room for up to three child seats on the rear bench seat.
Cutting-edge electric motor
At market launch, an electric motor with a peak output of 90 kW (122 hp) and a maximum torque of 245 Newton metres is available. The lithium-ion battery sits in a crash-protected location in the underbody in front of the rear axle and has a usable capacity of 45 kWh. At work, at home or at public charging stations, the EQT can be conveniently charged with alternating current (AC) at 22 kW, using the onboard charger. The process is even faster at fast-charging stations with direct current (DC), depending on the SoC (State of Charge) and the temperature of the high-voltage battery. The EQT is equipped with an 80 kW DC charger, in which case the charging time is 38 minutes from 10–80 percent SoC. The EQT is charged at the front under the Mercedes star, which is practical and convenient, especially when charging in the city in tight parking situations. For AC and DC charging, the EQT has a CCS charging socket and a CCS charging cable as standard.
Air conditioning by heat pump – economical and comfortable
Whether in buildings, tumble dryers or with a reverse function in refrigerators: heat pumps allow particularly energy-saving air conditioning. The EQT also uses a heat pump to be particularly energy efficient, to reduce the power requirement and to provide most of the energy for a stable vehicle range through active thermal management. The vehicle’s battery only supplies the compressor of the installed heat pump, and is not responsible for actual air conditioning of the vehicle interior.
The intelligent thermal management also ensures that when charging at a charging station, only the electricity provided there is used for pre-entry climate control. This pre-entry climate control option not only keeps the vehicle battery in the optimum operating range, but also ensures a comfortable interior temperature that is appropriate for the season. This means that the interior temperature does not have to climb to the desired level while driving, but only needs to be maintained. The energy content of the vehicle battery is therefore mainly available for the drive system.
Numerous assistance systems and seven airbags as standard
Safety is an essential brand value of Mercedes-Benz. The EQT’s high level of safety is enhanced by its stable body structure with energy-absorbing load paths, as well as its extensive range of driver assistance systems. They can support drivers in numerous situations. The electric small van also has a lot to offer when it comes to restraint systems: It has a centre airbag that can deploy between the driver and front passenger seats in the event of serious side collisions. A total of seven airbags are fitted as standard.
When calibrating the driver assistance systems, the development team placed particular emphasis on the most harmonious control interventions possible, which are hardly noticeable to drivers at first. The driver assistance systems monitor traffic and the environment on the basis of radar sensors and cameras. If necessary, they can provide warning and support.
In addition to the legally required ABS and ESP® systems, the EQT is equipped with the Mercedes-Benz emergency call system as standard. It offers additional functions compared to the legally required eCall. For example, communication is not in the respective national language, but in the language that drivers have set in the infotainment system. This is helpful, for example, in the event of an emergency abroad. The Mercedes-Benz emergency call centre then notifies the nearest rescue coordination centre. Other brand-typical features: In addition to data transmission via the vehicle-mounted communication module, the most important data on the accident is also sent to the Mercedes-Benz emergency call centre via SMS – this provides further transmission reliability.
Numerous other driving assistance systems are also on board as standard. These include:
- Hill Start Assist: maintains the brake pressure when the driver’s foot moves from the brake pedal to the accelerator when moving off uphill, preventing rollback.
- Crosswind Assist: can reduce the effects of gusting wind by assisting drivers with braking action at the front and rear wheel on the side facing the wind.
- ATTENTION ASSIST: can detect when drivers are becoming increasingly inattentive and drowsy, and gives an audible and visual prompt to take a break.
- Active Brake Assist: can help to avoid rear-end collisions and accidents with crossing vehicles, as well as pedestrians and cyclists.
- Active Lane Keeping Assist: is active from 70 km/h and works conveniently with steering instead of braking interventions
- Blind Spot Assist: uses radar to observe the areas to the side of the vehicle not covered by the outside mirrors, and issues an audible warning as well as a visual warning in the form of an illuminating triangle in the outside mirrors.
- Speed Limit Assist: can recognise speed limits with the aid of a camera and displays them in the instrument cluster. It can issue visual and audible warnings if the vehicle exceeds the detected speed limit.
To further enhance active safety, Mercedes-Benz Vans offers the Driving Assistance Package for the EQT with two additional safety systems:
- Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC: automatically maintains the set speed and the distance to the vehicle in front. The current speed can be adopted at the press of a button. The system uses information from the camera and the radar sensors. The desired distance can be set to four different levels. If the traffic in front comes to a standstill, the vehicle can brake itself automatically down to a stop. If the traffic moves off again within three seconds, the EQT starts up automatically – otherwise it can be started at the touch of a button or by tapping the accelerator. DISTRONIC is also available as an individual optional feature.
- Active Steering Assist6: helps drivers keep the EQT in the middle of the lane – especially helpful for monotonous driving on straight or slightly winding roads. The system uses the detected lane markings.
For additional convenience and safety when parking, Active Parking Assist with PARKTRONIC and reversing camera is available as optional equipment. In combination with the optional trailer coupling, the EQT also features Trailer Stabilisation Assist. If the vehicle combination begins to sway, the system uses braking interventions in a bid to stabilise the vehicle.
Unique user experience with MBUX and Mercedes me
With the standard MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) infotainment system and access to a wide range of digital extras from Mercedes me, the EQT sets standards in connectivity in the small van segment. The strengths of MBUX include the adaptive software, the intuitive operating concept via the 7-inch touchscreen or the touch control buttons on the steering wheel, the smartphone integration of Apple Car Play and Android Auto, the hands-free system via Bluetooth connection and the digital radio (DAB and DAB+). MBUX is optionally available with an integrated navigation system and intelligent voice assistant “Hey Mercedes”.
What is unique about MBUX is its ability to learn thanks to artificial intelligence. For example, thanks to predictive functions, the system can anticipate what the driver wants to do next. For example, if you regularly drive to a certain parking space, this destination is automatically suggested as soon as the navigation system recognizes the route. All the driver has to do is confirm and all the information about the route is available.
With MBUX, customers already have access to digital extras such as Live Traffic Information. With Mercedes me, the EQT becomes even more intelligent. Because before and after the journey or even on the road, additional functions can be used. All you have to do is link the small van to a Mercedes me account in the Mercedes me portal and accept the terms of use. This allows customers to receive important information on topics such as the availability of charging stations, charging power, costs or plug type even before they stop charging. In addition, the Mercedes me app or the media display in the vehicle can be used to display the current remaining range as well as public charging stations in the vicinity or at the destination.
Charging on the road at more and more public charging stations
Mercedes me Charge gives Mercedes-EQ customers convenient access to public charging points from various providers across Europe7 with just one contract. In addition, after storing the desired payment method just once, they benefit from an integrated payment function with simple billing. The Mercedes me App shows the precise location, current availability and prices at the selected charging station. At the charging station, authentication takes place via the display in the MBUX multimedia system, the Mercedes me App or the Mercedes me Charge charging card. Everything else is managed automatically via Mercedes me Charge.
Sustainable business strategy covering the full life cycle
Mercedes-Benz Vans has firmly anchored its leadership aspirations for electric mobility in its strategy, and is systematically electrifying all model series. Today, customers, fleet operators and body manufacturers can already choose from four battery-electric models: the eVito Panel Van, the eSprinter, the eVito Tourer and the EQV. With the EQT, the electric portfolio will now be extended to the small van segment in the near future.
“For Mercedes-Benz Vans, the future is electric – regardless of the size or purpose of a van. The latest proof point of this strategic direction is our new EQT with all-electric drive. Following its market launch, the complete van portfolio will also be available in electrified form. From the middle of the decade, we will implement the next stage of our electrification strategy with VAN.EA: all mid-sized and large vans based on the new modular architecture will be fully electric.
Klaus Rehkugler, Head of Sales Mercedes‑Benz Vans
The Mercedes-Benz Group wants to create sustainable value – economically, ecologically and socially. This is one of its central guiding principles. It not only applies to the Group’s own products and production locations, but also to the Group’s upstream and downstream value chain. The Group translates this approach into its sustainable business strategy.
A key element of our sustainable business strategy is Ambition 2039, with which we already set the course in 2019 for a holistic approach to climate protection and air pollution control.
Mercedes‑Benz Vans is also pursuing the Ambition 2039 goal: by 2039, the entire fleet of new private and commercial vans is to have a neutral CO₂ balance along the entire value chain – from development to the supplier network, our own production, electrification of products and use of renewable energies in the use phase of electric vehicles, and recycling of vehicles to close the loop.
From the middle of the decade, all newly launched vans from Mercedes-Benz will be exclusively electric. Mercedes‑Benz Vans is implementing the next stage of its electrification strategy with VAN.EA (Mercedes-Benz Vans Electric Architecture). VAN.EA is the basis for all Mercedes-Benz eVans in the medium and large segments that will be launched from the middle of the decade. The new architecture has a modular structure and is “electric only”.
