A senior official at Mercedes-Benz, the German luxury car manufacturer, stated that 25% of its Indian sales will be made by electric vehicles within five years.
Mercedes-Benz India, the company’s Indian arm will launch three electric cars in the next four month as part of its strategy to accelerate electric mobility in the country.
The company’s all-electric luxury sedan Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4MATIC was launched under the plan. Its price starts at Rs 2.45 Crore. The all-electric sedan EQS 580 will be launched next month. A seven-seater electric SUV, EQB, will follow in November.
“We are optimistic and we are bullish” Martin Schwenk, Managing Director, Mercedes-Benz India.
He added, “Whether it happens early or late, nobody knows.” In 2021, the company sold 11,242 units. In 2022, it had sales of 7,573 units.
Schwenk stated that the current contribution of EVs is low in single digits, but it could rise to the high single digits next year, when all the new electric models will be available.
Schwenk spoke out about the reasons the company is optimistic about the EV segment. “Overall, the market sentiment and customer expectation all point in a direction we will see successive shifts into electric.”
He was asked about the number of new electric cars Mercedes-Benz will introduce in India over the next five-years. However, he stated that there is no fixed number. Globally, the company will have 15 models by 2025. Any one of these models could be considered depending upon the Indian market.
Mercedes-Benz India began its electric mobility drive in India in October 2020 with the launch its all-electric SUV EQC, which was fully imported at Rs 1.07 crore.
Schwenk stated that Mercedes-Benz India will be focusing on three new models, which are more technologically advanced. However, the EQC would still remain available for customers to order.
Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4MATIC is imported as a fully built unit (CBU).
Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+ is a new Mercedes-AMG model that uses the performance-oriented drive concept of the company and is powered by a 107.8kWh lithium battery.
With a minimum of 75% battery charge, it can reach speeds of 0 to 100 km/hr in just 3.4 seconds. It can also accelerate up to 250 km/hr. Under standard conditions, it can travel 529-586km on a single charge.
The initial allocation of Indian market stock has been sold and the company will begin delivering the new model soon.
Schwenk stated that Mercedes-Benz India will establish 140 fast charging stations in India this year, with an investment of more than Rs 15 crore. This is to help with the electrification process.
He said that the festive season outlook is positive, with over 6,000 units in the order bank and more to come.