Mercedes’ EQXX concept vehicle is definitely a looker, but what’s really striking about it is its very, very, long range. Specifically, the automaker claims its EV is good for 1,000km on a single charge — that’s enough to take you from Paris to London, for instance. And back.
According to Mercedes, EQXX’s whopping range is the result of efficiency-optimizing innovations, starting with a new proprietary drivetrain that delivers 95% of the battery’s power directly to the wheels.
To further boost the vehicle’s efficiency, the company has also worked on optimizing its aerodynamic design. We can notice an elongated lower body, a small front, and a narrow rear wheel track, all designed to significantly reduce air resistance.
Notably, this design produces a drag coefficient of 0.17, setting a new global record and beating the company’s own EQS model at 0.20. And given that two-thirds of a car’s electric energy are needed just to counter air resistance, bringing the drag coefficient rate as low as possible saves up valuable energy that could give the extra mile.
Despite the vehicle’s long range, Mercedes has opted for a small battery pack, using silicon anodes with ultra-light materials from Formula One. According to the company, “this enables the battery of the EQXX to store 100 kWh, whilst taking up 50% less space and weighing 30% less than batteries with comparable capacity.”
And here’s an extra ace up the EQXX’s sleeve: the electric system draws additional energy from solar cells on the roof, which can produce up to 25km of extra range.
You can watch the release video explaining the concept’s creation below:
Get the TNW newsletter
Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week.