Mercedes has long said that the EQ models were on their way. Now it actually looks like it will happen at the same time as significant design changes.
Mercedes has changed its naming strategy for electric cars. This means that "EQ" will no longer be a separate designation in the model range.
The Germans are thus blurring the lines between fossil and electric cars. Mercedes has previously separated its electric models under the "EQ" brand.
The decision to drop the "EQ" designation follows a trend where more automakers are rethinking their naming strategies for electric vehicles.
Audi has also decided that cars of the same size will bear the same name, regardless of whether the cars run on diesel, gasoline or electricity.
Mercedes' previous strategy meant that the electric cars were named EQA, EQB, EQC and EQS, while the petrol and diesel cars retained the familiar model names of A-Class, B-Class and S-Class.
"We are strengthening our traditional class logic and will no longer use 'EQ' in model naming for new vehicles," a Mercedes spokesperson told Automotive News .
The change means that future Mercedes models will be offered with different powertrains under the same model name.
The terms "EQ Technology" and "EQ Hybrid Technology" will continue to be used to differentiate pure electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, respectively.
The change in strategy from Mercedes means that there is no longer a separation between electric and fossil cars in the model naming.
All models will therefore be lumped under the same "Class" naming scheme. However, according to a Mercedes spokesperson, the brand has no doubt that it is important to retain parts of the EQ designation for the sake of continuity.
In addition to the names of the cars themselves, Mercedes' managing director Ola Källenius said last year that the overly experimental design must end.
According to the CEO, all Mercedes models must now actually look like a Mercedes.Read more about it here .
