Mercedes-Benz is speeding up its development of electric vehicles with a new goal to have four electric models hit the market by the end of 2020. According to Autocar, the German automaker is looking into developing two sedans and two SUVs that will comprise the first wave of EV models to bear the Silver Arrows badge. Each model will share basic elements with models that are already part of the Merc lineup but for the most part, the EV models will also have distinct design touches that will provide a noticeable differentiation from their conventionally powered counterparts.
The company’s decision to expedite the development of electric vehicles was made in part to jump aboard the German government’s new policy of offering sales subsidies on all EVs priced at less than €60,000, or $67,150 based on current exchange rates. The policy is part of a bigger €1.2 billion ($1.35 billion) incentive scheme that was created to attract would-be auto buyers to consider EVs for their next automotive purchases.
The move can also be seen as Mercedes’ attempt to keep up with the fast-rising EV market, something other automakers, especially Tesla, has taken full advantage of. Clearly, news of the Model 3’s incredible 370,000-plus pre-order total didn’t fall on deaf ears. The popularity of EVs have even hit close to home for Mercedes now that Audi has already made plans to begin the development of a production version of the e-tron quattro concept with an eye towards launching it in 2018.
While Mercedes is still in the embryonic stages in the production development of its EVs, the German automaker isn’t sitting idly by anymore as its competitors gear up for the same push. Investments have been made regarding electric vehicles, most notably a €500 million expansion of its existing battery production facilities in Germany.
Continue after the jump to read the full story.
from Top Speed http://ift.tt/1NJY8HY
via IFTTT
0 comments:
Post a Comment