Mercedes-Benz EQV Electric Luxury MPV Can Be Yours For $78,300 In Europe

There isn’t a market for all-electric luxury MPVs to speak of, but Mercedes-Benz wants to create one with the EQV.

Unveiled last year, the fully-electric variant of the V-Class has just gone on sale in Germany and the rest of Europe. The second member of the EQ family of Mercedes-Benz after the EQC SUV, the EQV starts from €71,388 ($78,315) in Germany, including VAT.

Is that a lot? It’s hard to say as the market for such vehicles is only just beginning. Obviously, sales numbers will decide that, but until then let’s see what the EQV brings to the table.

For the market launch, the electric van is available in the long-wheelbase version badged EQV 300 (a standard-wheelbase model will launch later on). That means it features a 90 kWh lithium-ion battery which provides it with a maximum range of 418 km (260 miles).

The battery feeds electricity to an electric drive train (eATS) on the front axle integrating the electric motor, fixed transmission, cooling system and power electronics in a compact unit. The motor delivers 150 kW (204 PS / 201 HP) and 362 Nm (267 lb-ft) of torque, enabling a top speed 140 km/h (87 mph) – optionally extendable to 160 km/h (99 mph).

The EQV is equipped with an AC water-cooled on-board charger (OBL) with an output of 11 kW which enables AC charging at home or at public charging stations. Using a fast charging station at a capacity of 110 kW, the EQV can be charged from 10 to 80 percent in around 45 minutes.

By placing the battery in the underbody, the EQV remains as spacious and versatile as the regular V-Class. Thanks to the flexible installation of individual seats, it can offer diverse seating configurations for six, seven or eight passengers. Mercedes-Benz says the EQV offers a permissible total weight of 3,500 kilograms (7,716 lbs).

As with the V-Class and Vito, the EQV is built at Daimler’s plant in Vitoria in northern Spain.