Mercedes-EQ Pushing The Envelope With Progressive Luxury In India

Sustainability and luxury have been mutually exclusive terms to each other. For the longest time, luxury has been perceived as a "no-compromise" culture. Pleasure and aesthetics that are synonymous with luxury aren't essential for survival but you'd be wrong. You see, the luxury industry embodies a few core philosophies that include comfort, durability, innovation, technology and now sustainability. The last bit is what's making luxury brands today different as they become pioneers of positive change. The luxury industry acts as a role model for employing more sustainable practices. And Mercedes-EQ is leading the charge for progressive luxury, a term that defines mobility of the future.

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Building An Ecosystem For A Sustainable Future

That's why by 2030, a larger part of the brand's portfolio will be electric and a lot of these will make their way to India. It's also a part of the German luxury carmaker's aim to go carbon neutral by 2039. Mercedes-EQ understands the limits of our planet, which is why it has been a necessary endeavour for the automaker to innovate. The automaker's objectives for building an ecosystem for EVs are in line with the requirements of the Paris World Climate Accord. And to achieve these objectives, the brand requires more sustainable products.

2022 will be a remarkable year for the automaker as it plans to bring more EVs to markets worldwide. From the EQS, EQE, EQA, EQB, and so many more models in the pipeline, buyers will find an electric vehicle that exactly meets their requirements concerning performance, luxury and accessibility.

Sustainability begins from manufacturing and not just at Mercedes-EQ but with its supplier base as well

Sustainable Production

Building the EV ecosystem isn't just about designing products. It's also about a 360-degree approach to the sustainable building of vehicles. This not only requires employing innovative technologies such as electric motors, battery tech and vehicle software but also incorporating all of them in a viable value chain.

For instance, the batteries on the upcoming EQS will be produced using 100 per cent renewable energy such as wind, solar and hydroelectric power. This, of course, will trickle down to other Mercedes-EQ cars going forward. The automaker also plans to source sustainable material supplies that extend to the brand's partners and suppliers as well. So, if you are a Mercedes-EQ supplier, you need to lower your carbon footprint first.

The EQC uses sustainable materials including recycled plastic and the inclusion of more than 100 sustainable components

Incorporating Sustainability Now

But we don't have to "wait" to experience the marvel of EQ technology. The EQC was the brand's first launch in India giving us a more detailed perspective on how the technology works without being intrusive in your luxury experience. The EQC sets the standards when it to comes using sustainable materials including renewable raw materials for upholstery including recycled plastic, and the inclusion of more than 100 sustainable components.

That's not all, even Mercedes cars with internal combustion engines benefit from EQ technology. The EQ Boost tech makes it to several of the automaker's offerings in India that brings an electric boost to the power and acceleration while reducing fuel consumption and tailpipe emissions.

With over 100 charging stations in place and counting, Mercedes is creating the necessary infrastructure to support its electrified customers

The Way Forward

Mercedes-Benz India's EV ecosystem will include more electric vehicles but more importantly, a larger infrastructure to support its strong customer base. The company is educating its dealers and technicians to handle electric vehicles from a service standpoint, while the dealerships themselves are being equipped with fast chargers that can be used by customers. And not just for Mercedes owners but for electric vehicle users at large.

There are over 100 charging stations available across 48 cities in India that are compatible with the EQC. The Stuttgart-based automaker has also expanded the availability of the EQC to 94 outlets across 50 cities.

For the EV segment to grow, automakers need to open their hearts and charging networks to make charging points accessible to customers. And this is over and above the 11 kW wall box charger that every customer gets with the EQC that can be installed at their home or office.

The luxury EV segment is the new frontier to be conquered but manufacturers will have to tread here carefully. What we need is a more responsible luxury that provides the creature comforts of today and the promise of a tomorrow. This is the progressive luxury we need and it's now more accessible than ever.