Seems that Mercedes-Benz shifts its strategic focus for 2020 from the EV lineup expansion to plug-in hybrids development. The automaker aims to introduce 20 such models by the end of the year.
Plug-in hybrids are able to cover quite significant distance on electric power exclusively. Considering 90% of all commutes being less than 50 kilometers (about 30 miles) per day, plug-in hybrids may serve as a mild bridge between internal combustion and 100% electric drivetrain, especially for the time when the charging infrastructure is still developing.
By the way, Mercedes plans to equip its hybrids (made as the plug-in version of the existing models) with quite large battery packs.
Compact models (such as A-class, B-class, GLA and others) are going to have:
— 15.6 kWh battery pack with up to 77 km of NEDC range
— 0-100 km/h acceleration in 6.6 seconds (for A-class)
— hybrid drivetrain with 75 kW electric motor and 1.33-litre four-cylinder gas engine with 8-speed transmission
— total output: 218 hp (160 kW), torque 450 Nm
— 1 hour and 45 minutes for a full charge via AC, DC is also supported.
Larger and more expensive models (like S-class sedan and GLE crossover) are expected to have the following:
— 31.2 kWh battery pack, up to 106 km of NEDC range
— 0-100 km/h acceleration in 6.6 seconds
— the drivetrain will include a 100 kW electric motor and the gas engine (varies from model to model) with 9-speed transmission with dual clutch.
