Electric Cars: The Basics
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The All-Electric Mercedes-Benz EQA SUV
Mercedes-Benz, simply known as Mercedes, is a leading global luxury automative manufacturer based in Germany. The company is headquartered in Stuttgart and is famed for its high quality passenger vehicles, to include the Mercedes-Maybach. However, the company is also a leader in manufacturing commercial vehicles, to include the Mercedes eSprinter commercial EV and the Mercedes eVito electric van.
Mercedes-Benz EQ is the sub-brand used by the company for its portfolio of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and mild hybrids. The pure electric cars are branded as EQ, while the PHEVs are branded as EQ Power. The mild hybrid vehicles are branded as EQ Boost. The BEV portfolio includes:
- The all-electric EQC SUV
- The all-electric EQV MPV
- The all-electric EQA SUV
- The all-electric EQE SUV
- The all-electric EQS saloon
- The all-electric EQB SUV
- The all-electric EQE saloon
- The all-electric EQS SUV
The all-electric Mercedes EQA compact SUV is part of the Mercedes EQ electric mobility family. The electric EQA is closely related to the conventional Mercedes-Benz GLA vehicle. The EV is available as a front-wheel drive (FWD) and an all-wheel drive (AWD).
The EV is being built at the Mercedes-Benz Rastatt factory, which has reduced its CO2 output by 58% between 2011-2019. The automotive company is committed to achieving ‘CO2 neutral’ for all its factories globally.
The EQA family EV is available in one EV battery size (66.5 kWh), with a WLTP emission-free electric range up to 529 km for the EQA 250+. The EQA 300 4MATIC and EQA 350 4MATIC four-wheel drive variants have a claimed e-range up to 430 km.
Of course, the real-world electric range will be lower that the quoted range, and impacted by a number of factors, to include: driving style, road conditions, weather, passenger load, regenerative braking profile etc. For the entry-level EQA 250+ expect a real-world EV range closer to 450 km and for the four-wheel drive variants, a 365 km range will be more realistic. In any case, the EV offers an electric range that is practical for most day-to-day city and motorway driving needs.
The electric EQA offers DC charging up to 100 kW DC. Not the fastest DC charging speed, nor the slowest. A mid-range DC charging speed, appropriate, given the mid-range size of the onboard EV battery, The pure electric SUV can be charged up to 80% in 35 minutes. Perfect amount of time for a coffee and a brief motorway break!
The manufacturer also offers a 3-phase 11 kW AC onboard charger as standard. However, as most homes in Ireland are limited to single-phase power supply, taking advantage of the 11 kW charging speed will only be for those with access to 3-phase EV charging at home, workplace or a public charging station.
Using a dedicated three-phase (11 kW) EV charger, like the 22 kW myenergi EV charger, the EQA electric car can be fully charged in 6 hours and 30 minutes. Single-phase 7.4 kW charging will take longer (up to 10 hours). We at e-zoomed recommend charging overnight at home, when the electricity tariff rates are cheaper.
We discourage the use of a 3-PIN domestic plug for charging an electric car. We also encourage charging on a regular basis. This way, there is always available ‘electric miles’ and regular charging is good for the long-term maintenance of the onboard EV battery. Mercedes offers a 8 years or 160,000 km warranty.
In terms of performance, the EQA electric does not disappoint. The front-wheel drive EQA 250 + can achieve 0-100 km/h in 8.6 seconds (max power: 190 hp/ torque: 385 Nm). The EQA 300 4MATIC can achieve 0-100 km/h in 7.7 seconds (max power: 228 hp/ torque: 390 Nm). The top of the line, all-wheel drive EQA 350 4MATIC can achieve 0-100 km/h in 6.0 seconds (max power: 228 hp/ torque: 520 Nm). The top speed of the e-SUV is 160 km/h. Of course, the EV also delivers instant torque.
The EQA is equipped with the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, which can be controlled via voice, touch or gesture. The infotainment system can overtime predict personal habits using artificial intelligence (AI). The electric car is also equipped (like the case with other EQ models) with an external acoustic warning to alert pedestrians or cyclists at speeds under 30 km/h.
The EQA is well equipped with technology and safety features, to include: active lane keeping assist, active speed limit assist, KEYLESS-GO comfort package, Mercedes-Benz emergency call system, ambient lighting – 64 colours and more.
Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet!
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Luxurious and comfortable to drive | Available in only one EV battery size |
| Available as an all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive | DC charging only up to 100kW |
| 11 kW on board charger as standard | Cargo volume not as large (340 L) |
Gallery
The All-Electric Mercedes-Benz EQA SUV (credit: Mercedes-Benz)
| At A Glance | |
|---|---|
| EV Type: | Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV) |
| Body Type: | SUV (Compact) |
| Engine: | Electric |
| Available In Ireland: | Yes |
| Variants (4 Options) |
|---|
| Mercedes EQA 250 (from € 64,990) |
| Mercedes EQA 250 + (from € 66,585) |
| Mercedes EQA 300 4MATIC (from € 68,375) |
| Mercedes EQA 350 4MATIC (from € 71,370) |
| EV Battery & Emissions | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Type: | Lithium-ion |
| EV Battery Capacity: | Available in one battery size: 66.5 kWh |
| Charging: | 100 kW DC Rapid Charging. Onboard charger 11 kW AC |
| Charge Port: | Type 2 |
| EV Cable Type: | Type 2 |
| Tailpipe Emissions: | 0g (CO2/km) |
| Warranty: | 8 years or 160,000 km |
| Average Cost Of Residential Charging | |
|---|---|
| Battery net capacity: 16.7 kWh | € 4.00 |
| Battery net capacity: 30.0 kWh | € 7.19 |
| Battery net capacity: 39.2 kWh | € 9.39 |
| Battery net capacity: 45.0 kWh | € 10.78 |
| Battery net capacity: 50.0 kWh | € 11.98 |
| Battery net capacity: 64.0 kWh | € 15.34 |
| Battery net capacity: 71.0 kWh | € 17.01 |
| Battery net capacity: 77.0 kWh | € 18.45 |
| Battery net capacity: 90.0 kWh | € 21.57 |
| Battery net capacity: 100.0 kWh | € 23.97 |
- Note 1: The average cost of residential electricity in Ireland varies depending on the region, supplier and type of energy used. An average for Ireland is 23.97 cents/kWh.
- Note 2: Not all EV manufactures make available the data on net EV battery capacity, and in a number of instances the EV battery capacity advertised, does not state if it is gross or net capacity. In general, usable EV battery capacity is between 85% to 95% of the gross available capacity.
| Charging Times (Overview) | |
|---|---|
| Slow charging AC (3 kW – 3.6 kW): | 6 – 12 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SOC) |
| Fast charging AC (7 kW – 22 kW): | 3 – 8 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
| Rapid charging AC (43 kW): | 0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
| Rapid charging DC (50 kW+): | 0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
| Ultra rapid charging DC (150 kW+): | 0-80% : 20 mins to 40 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
| Tesla Supercharger (120 kW – 250 kW): | 0-80%: up to 25 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
- Note 1: SoC: state of charge
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Height (mm): | 1620 |
| Width (mm): | 2020 |
| Length (mm): | 4463 |
| Wheelbase (mm): | 2729 |
| Turning Circle (m): | 11.4 |
| Boot Space (L) | 340 |
| EQA 250 + | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Capacity: | 66.5 kWh |
| Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 498 – 529 km |
| Electric Energy Consumption (Wh/km): | 186 – 177 |
| Charging: | 100 kW DC Rapid Charging (10%-80%: 35 mins). Onboard charger 11 kW AC (10%-100%: 6 hrs 30 mins) |
| Top Speed: | 160 km/h |
| 0-100 km/h: | 8.6 seconds |
| Drive: | Front-wheel drive (FWD) |
| Max Power (hp): | 190 |
| Torque (Nm): | 385 |
| Transmission: | Automatic |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 5 |
| Kerb Weight (kg): | 2,040 |
| Colours: | 10 |
| NCAP Safety Rating: | Five-Star |
| EQA 300 4MATIC | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Capacity: | 66.5 kWh |
| Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 415 – 430 km |
| Electric Energy Consumption (Wh/km): | 184 – 178 |
| Charging: | 100 kW DC Rapid Charging (10%-80%: 32 mins). Onboard charger 11 kW AC (10%-100%: 5 hrs 45 mins) |
| Top Speed: | 160 km/h |
| 0-100 km/h: | 7.7 seconds |
| Drive: | All-wheel drive (AWD) |
| Max Power (hp): | 228 |
| Torque (Nm): | 390 |
| Transmission: | Automatic |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 5 |
| Kerb Weight (kg): | 2,105 |
| Colours: | 10 |
| NCAP Safety Rating: | Five-Star |
| EQA 350 4MATIC | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Capacity: | 66.5 kWh |
| Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 415 – 430 km |
| Electric Energy Consumption (Wh/km): | 184 – 178 |
| Charging: | 100 kW DC Rapid Charging (10%-80%: 32 mins). Onboard charger 11 kW AC (10%-100%: 5 hrs 45 mins) |
| Top Speed: | 160 km/h |
| 0-100 km/h: | 6.0 seconds |
| Drive: | All-wheel drive (AWD) |
| Max Power (hp): | 228 |
| Torque (Nm): | 520 |
| Transmission: | Automatic |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 5 |
| Kerb Weight (kg): | 2,105 |
| Colours: | 10 |
| NCAP Safety Rating: | Five-Star |
Electric Vehicles (EVs): Jargons
There is no doubt, in that, for those new to electric driving, the terminology can be both daunting and confusing. We have chosen a few jargons to help you get more familiar with electric vehicles (EVs)! We also recommend reading our article ‘Electric Car Jargon Buster‘ for a more comprehensive list of terms.
| Glossary: Electric Vehicles (EVs) | |
|---|---|
| Alternating Current (AC): | What is alternating current? Though we may not be familiar with this term, we use alternating current everyday in our homes to power our appliances! Alternating current is a type of electric current, in which the direction of the flow of ‘electrons’ switches back and forth at regular intervals or cycles. When an electric car is charged at home, the type of electric current used, is alternating current. |
| Direct Current (DC): | What is direct current? Direct current (DC) is a type of electric current that flows in only one direction i.e. uni-directional. DC enables the constant flow of electrons from an area of high electron density to an area of low electron density. DC is quite common in our day-to-day lives. Many of the appliances we use on a regular basis that are operated by batteries, use DC. A mobile phone, a laptop, a torch light etc. In electric cars, the onboard EV battery also uses direct current to store energy. |
| Internal Combustion Engine Vehicle (ICEV): | What is an internal combustion engine car? Put simply, conventional petrol and diesel vehicles are powered by an internal combustion engine (ICE). These vehicles ‘combust’ fuel with the help of an oxidizer (typically oxygen from the air). These vehicles mostly use fossil fuels, like petrol, diesel, jet fuel etc. These vehicles are characterised by high tailpipe emissions, which pollute the local air. |
| One-Pedal Driving: | What is one-pedal driving? In one-pedal driving, the EV slows down or stops, when the pedal is released. One-pedal functionality reduce the need to use the brake pedal, for speed reduction or stopping. Of course, the brake pedal is still the best way to hold a vehicle in place at a complete stop. |
| Smart EV Charger: | What is a smart EV charger? A smart or ‘intelligent’ electric car charger, is a type of EV charger that enables smart functionality, to include, more control by the user, and communication between the EV charging station, the operator, the utility and the national grid. |
While e-zoomed uses reasonable efforts to provide accurate and up-to-date information, some of the information provided is gathered from third parties and has not been independently verified by e-zoomed. While the information from the third party sources is believed to be reliable, no warranty, express or implied, is made by e-zoomed regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of any information. This disclaimer applies to both isolated and aggregate uses of this information.
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