By Yange Ikyaa
German carmaker, Mercedes – Benz, has launched the latest model of its electric fleet, VISION EQXX, with 117 solar modules on its roof. The company claims that VISION EQXX is the most efficient car it has ever built, with energy consumption of less than 10kWh per 100 kilometers and a range of more than 1,000 kilometers on a single charge.
According to the carmaker, the ultra-thin roof panels will feed the battery system up to 25 kilometers of extra range on long-distance journeys on a single day and under ideal conditions. The energy generated by the solar cells is stored in a lithium-iron-phosphate battery and is used to power the climate blower, the lights, the infotainment system and other ancillaries.
In the future, the German automobile giant plans to use Mercedes-Benz solar power to charge the high-voltage system, too. This latest car model by Mercedes-Benz is equipped with a battery pack with almost 100kWh of energy. The car manufacturer, in a statement, explained that the battery is 50 per cent smaller and weighs 30 per cent less than the already benchmarked pack in EQS to be able to perfectly fit into a compact car.
Mercedes-Benz developed the vehicle in cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE), and the VISION EQXX is now establishing the next milestone – with a drag coefficient of just 0.17. This record value is of particular importance for electric driving and, above all, for the range. This is because two-thirds of the electric energy is needed just to counter the air resistance.
Many other details demonstrate how consistently and almost uncompromisingly the VISION EQXX has been designed for aerodynamics: the front face is smaller than that of a compact CLA and thus poses minimal resistance. A narrower rear wheel track allows the air to flow more efficiently. And transparent external covers on the wheels prevent virtually all air turbulence, while also allowing amazing views of the rose-gold magnesium rims.
The Interior: Between Luxury and Nature
Mercedes-Benz forged new paths when developing the interior. The VISION EQXX features a surprising mix of sustainable materials in its interior: from mushrooms to bamboo, cactus and vegan silk. These show that it is still possible to achieve the utmost in automotive luxury without using animal products, whilst creating an inimitable feeling of premium comfort. This fascinating journey has halved the carbon footprint of the leather alone.
World-Leading Efficiency
Mercedes-Benz has proven that new, sustainable mobility is not measured in horsepower and kilometer per hour, or in seconds, but that the mobility of the future will be measured in efficiency and against the benchmark of the VISION EQXX, with its amazing energy efficiency of 95%. This means that 95% of the energy stored in the battery reaches the wheels.
By way of comparison, a vehicle with an efficient internal combustion engine achieves around 30% of energy efficiency and an average human long-distance runner achieves around 50%. A dedicated team of Mercedes-Benz engineers worked with the motor-racing specialists from High Performance Powertrains (HPP) and Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix (MGP) to develop a highly efficient and compact electric powertrain and a lightweight battery housing. In order to accomplish this feat, they spent many years working to reduce mechanical friction to a minimum so that the power reaches the racetrack with as little loss as possible.