Mercedes-Benz is hoping to demonstrate how efficient, sustainable and luxurious electromobility can be with its newest EV prototype, the Vision EQXX. This champion of efficiency has a range of more than 1,000 kilometers (approx. 621 miles) on a single battery charge, which equates to consumption of less than 10 kWh of energy per 100 kilometers (approx. 62 miles). This is due in part to the vehicle’s lightweight design, battery innovations and new materials.
Mercedes credits in large part the Vision EQXX’s drag coefficient of 0.17 to its huge range. This record value is used to offset the two-thirds of electric energy needed just to counter air resistance while driving.
The Vision EQXX features a mix of sustainable materials in its interior: from mushrooms to bamboo, cactus and vegan silk. By not using animal products, the company says it has halved the carbon footprint of the leather alone.
In the Vision EQXX, Mercedes says 95% of the energy stored in the battery reaches its wheels. By way of comparison, a vehicle with an efficient internal combustion engine achieves around 30% and an average human long-distance runner achieves around 50%, the company says. A dedicated team of Mercedes-Benz engineers worked with the motor-racing specialists from high-performance powertrains (HPP) and Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix (MGP) to develop a highly efficient and compact electric powertrain and a lightweight battery housing.
Instead of just making the battery bigger and thus heavier, the energy density has been significantly improved, enabling the battery of the Vision EQXX to store 100 kWh while taking up 50% less space and weighing 30% less than batteries with comparable capacity, the company says. Silicon anodes have been used in combination with ultra-lightweight materials from Formula One, for instance, which has significantly increased the battery capacity.
The electric system, which supplies power to many auxiliary units in the Vision EQXX, draws additional energy from solar cells on the roof. This reduces the energy demands of the high-volt system and ultimately leads to more range. On a single day with ideal conditions, this can produce up to 25 kilometers (approx. 15.5 miles) of extra range for long-distance journeys.
