The Mercedes-Benz EQXX concept has just broken a new record for consumption and autonomy. The electric car has in fact traveled more than 1,000 kilometers in a single charge, with an average of only 7.4 kWh/100 km. All with very demanding temperatures.
The range of electric cars still poses a big problem for many motorists. Many fear running out and are therefore ignoring this engine for the moment. Which is, however, erroneous reasoning.
A new record
However, if more and more manufacturers focus in particular on fast charging, they also want to find ways to increase autonomy. This happens through several means, such as larger batteries, which however has many disadvantages. In addition to the increased weight, and therefore consumption, this also requires more expensive raw materials. Another solution consists of optimizing aerodynamics, by lowering the Cx (drag coefficient) as much as possible.
This is what Mercedes-Benz chose with its Vision EQXX concept, which was unveiled for the very first time in 2022 at CES in Las Vegas. In April of the same year, he broke a first record by covering 1,000 kilometers in a single charge. Then, in June, it managed to go up to 1,200 kilometers with its 100 kWh battery. But the very promising electric car doesn’t stop there. She has just delivered a very interesting new performance.
In a press release, Mercedes announces that its concept car, fully operational, has this time driven no less than 1,010 kilometers in the Arabian Desert. A journey that started at the Mercedes-Benz Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia at 4:15 a.m., and ended in Dubai at 7:57 p.m. Initially, the battery was completely full, and there were still 309 kilometers of autonomy left when the vehicle has arrived at its destination. All of course, without having made any charge.
In theory, the concept could have driven more than 1,400 kilometers without taking a single break. Also note that the course was very varied, since it included urban and suburban areas with heavy traffic as well as long sections of highways. However, we know that driving faster also increases the consumption of electric cars.
Very low consumption
Precisely, it is essential to talk about the latter, because it is largely thanks to it that the concept broke its record. Indeed, Mercedes announces that its Vision EQXX posted an average of sonly 7.4 kWh per 100 kilometers, compared to 8.7 kWh during its first record. The manufacturer points out that this is equivalent to around 0.9 l/100 km for a car with a combustion engine. Which is simply stunning!
And this incredible performance, we owe it in particular to the Cx of the sportswoman, displayed at only 0.17. For comparison, the Mercedes EQS which is one of the most aerodynamic production cars on the market is displayed at 0.20. But that’s not all, because the concept also benefits from numerous technical elements which make it possible to improve energy management. Among them, a heat pump, particularly useful on very long journeys as is the case here.
The vehicle is also equipped with a solar roof, which made it possible to recover 1.8 kWh of energy and increase the range by 24 kilometers in total. Numerous sensors also made it possible to analyze the direction of sunlight as well as the temperature, when it reached 34°C. Mercedes specifies that the air conditioning was working throughout the test, but that it did not increase the car’s consumption.
If the Mercedes Vision EQXX will not be sold as it is, it plays the role of a laboratory for the brand’s future cars. For example, its heat pump is integrated into the CLA concept which was unveiled last year at the Munich Motor Show, and which will lead to a production car in 2024.