Mercedes-Benz has once again demonstrated the prowess of its electric concept vehicle, the Vision EQXX, by completing a long-distance drive on the Arabian Peninsula to test its efficiency under extreme conditions.
The journey spanned 627.6 miles (1,010 km) from the Mercedes-Benz Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to the Mercedes-Benz Brand Center in Dubai, UAE, lasting 14 hours and 42 minutes. Despite facing temperatures of up to 93 degrees Fahrenheit (34 degrees Celsius), the Vision EQXX showcased remarkable efficiency, consuming just 7.4 kWh of energy per 100 km (62 miles). This efficiency surpassed its previous best of 8.3 kWh/100 km during the drive from Germany to England.
Even after completing the journey, the Vision EQXX’s 100 kWh battery retained 192 miles (309 km) of range, suggesting it could have traveled nearly 820 miles (1,319 km) in total under stable conditions.
Mercedes engineers focused on maximizing efficiency for this drive, considering the significant impact high temperatures can have on EV range. To counter this, the Vision EQXX utilized a heat pump to cool the cabin, with Mercedes claiming minimal impact on the range.
The vehicle also featured 117 solar cells, harvesting 1.8 kWh of energy during the drive to increase the range by 15 miles (24 km). Mercedes is working to integrate this solar technology into its production cars.
The test highlighted the effectiveness of Mercedes’ intelligent driving assistant, which offers suggestions to drive more efficiently. The system considered factors like crosswinds to help drivers maximize battery usage. Additionally, it assisted in finding optimal parking spots for solar charging based on the sun’s angle.
Markus Schafer, Mercedes’ chief technology officer, emphasized the significance of the test: “The Vision EQXX continues to provide valuable data for ongoing development of advanced electric efficiency technologies… Further proof that electric drive is ready for global markets.”