Mercedes-Benz announced that its Vision EQXX electric concept vehicle has successfully completed a long-distance test of over 1,000 km on a single battery charge. It was one of the longest distances traveled by an electric vehicle on a single charge.
The journey led through several European cities, from Germany to Switzerland and Italy to the destination, the southern French port of Cassis near Marseille. Temperatures ranged from 3 to 18 degrees Celsius (37 to 64 degrees Fahrenheit) and the vehicle was traveling at an average speed of 54 miles per hour.
The distance traveled was “over” 1,000 km or about 621 miles. That’s more than double the typical range that most electric vehicles can cover on the road today. According to Mercedes, the Vision EQXX’s charge level on arrival was around 15 percent, giving the vehicle a remaining range of around 140 km (87 miles). Average consumption was at a record low of 8.7 kWh per 100 km (7.1 kWh per 62 miles).
The distance traveled was “over” 1,000 km or about 621 miles
Mercedes first unveiled the Vision EQXX earlier this year as an experiment in battery efficiency. With its sporty intentions and sleek, futuristic design, the concept car will likely serve as the basis for a production car that could rival other luxury EVs like the Porsche Taycan, Audi E-tron GT and Tesla Roadster.
The real-world range test is a boon for Mercedes, which previously claimed the Vision EQXX will use energy at a rate of 10 kWh per 100 kilometers, or more than 6 miles per kWh. These tests were based on a simulation of real-world traffic conditions, an estimate that the Vision EQXX outperformed in real-world conditions.
grid view
At the time, Mercedes said the Vision EQXX’s superior range was “entirely realistic” and that many of its technological advances would be incorporated into future production vehicles through the Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture. The results from the real tests will serve to back up these claims.
Of course, a range estimate is still just that: an estimate. It is the responsibility of the Environmental Protection Agency in the US and the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) in Europe to independently certify each EV range. Most electric vehicles on the market today have a range of between 200 and 300 miles, while some previous models have less. The latest generation of electric vehicles have ranges of 250 to 300 miles.
Of course, EV range is very subjective. EPA’s rating system is also intended to provide only a snapshot under the specific conditions of the agency’s review process. Typically, it eliminates factors such as steep climbs and the effects of cold weather, which can wear down a vehicle’s battery much faster than driving on flat surfaces or in warmer weather.
To Mercedes’ credit, the company didn’t conduct its range test under anything near perfect conditions. The route involved a variety of steep, mountainous conditions, as well as construction work and other hazards. The wide temperature range, from cool mountain air to more temperate conditions, helped demonstrate the Vision EQXX’s performance in a variety of environments. The vehicle did not encounter snow or freezing conditions known to drain energy from an EV battery.