- Mercedes-Benz is expanding its EV portfolio by launching three new electric cars in India.
- The company expects electric cars to make up 25% of its sales by 2025.
- The company will set up 140 charging stations across the country by the end of 2022.
Automakers around the world are slowly moving towards electric cars amid calls to stop the sale of internal combustion engine (ICE) cars and rising fuel prices. Mercedes-Benz has already launched electric cars in the past and has now announced its plans for electric cars in India.
The German automaker launched the EQC SUV in India in 2020, and two years after its initial launch, the company announced it would launch three new electric cars in India this year.
Line-up of Mercedes-Benz electric cars for 2022
The first car, the premium Mercedes AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+, was launched in India with a price tag of ₹ 2.45 crore. One of the reasons for the high price is that the car is imported as a complete built unit (CBU) and therefore attracts a higher tax rate.
The second car will likely be more affordable as it will be assembled locally after the company brings in broken kits. The company is expected to launch its electric sedan, the EQS 580, next month.
The company’s third car will be the
Mercedes says electric cars will make up 25% of its sales by 2027
Mercedes has also said it expects electric cars to make up 25% of its sales by 2027. Martin Schwenk, the company’s president, said the number was unimaginable two years ago when it launched its first electric car in India.
Mercedes-Benz invests in charging infrastructure
To boost sales of its electric cars, the company is reportedly investing ₹15 crore along with franchise partners to establish 140 charging stations across the country by the end of the year.
“The charging network will be available exclusively 24×7 to Mercedes Benz customers. The vehicles can be charged free of charge at the company dealers until 2023,” said Schwenk.
Of the 140 loads, 20 will be 180 kW ultra-fast DC chargers, 20 will be 60 kW DC fast chargers, and 100 will be 22 kW AC chargers.
In the electric segment, the company competes with companies such as BMW and Audi, which have launched their own electric cars. While BMW offers cars like the iX SUV and i4 sedan, Audi offers cars like the e-tron 50, e-tron 55 and more.
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