cost of recharging and autonomy on a long journey of 850 km
Mercedes continues its offensive in the world of electrics, and today we take a look at the Mercedes EQE, an electric sedan under the hood. More specifically, we will focus on the ability to carve a road, using our large reference routes.
Electric sedans are having a great year in 2022, with many premium models available. In addition to the Tesla Model 3 and the Model S, we saw in particular some Germans: the BMW i4, the Porsche Taycan, or the Mercedes EQE, to which we will return in this file.
While everyday life is no problem for an electric vehicle as long as you have a charging solution, long trips that exceed the vehicle’s range require a bit of organization. So we’re going to put the Mercedes EQE through its paces, using two benchmark routes planned via A Better Route Planner.
As always, the rules are as follows: starting occurs at 100% battery, ending at 20% and the vehicle must run at the speed limit. After a reminder of the characteristics of the Mercedes EQE, we will analyze in detail the different journeys in terms of duration, number of charges and associated costs. Below, you will find summary tables where the differences between each vehicle can be quickly seen.
The characteristics of Mercedes EQE
The Mercedes EQE 300 is one of the electric cars that offers the most autonomy. In fact, in the WLTP mixed cycle, Mercedes announced up to 639 kilometers of autonomy. Its 89 kWh battery combined with its fast charging capacity (170 kW peak) was a big advantage in our exercise.
To fill the battery to 80% in about thirty minutes, we use the different charging networks currently present in France: Ionity, Fastned, Allego or the Tesla Supercharger open to all. For reasons of simplification, we consider the average price of fast charging at 0.68 euros per kilowatt hour. Note, however, that some charges may be more expensive, or even cheaper with different subscriptions or charge cards.
As always, A Better Route Planner is used to plan journeys, with a default consumption reference for the Mercedes EQE 300.
Route planning
To put all vehicles on an equal footing, we start trips with 100% battery, considering that you have to pay for this filling at the average price per kWh in France, which is currently at 0.17 euros. 89 kWh then represents 15 euros : we consider this cost in addition to the quick charging of the balance time associated with each long journey.
The first big trip was to simulate a summer vacation from Orleans to Arcachon (530 kilometers). The winter route starts in Caen and ends in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (850 kilometers).
For a summer route, the parameters shown in A Better Route Planner are as follows: 25 degrees Celsius outside temperature, no wind, arriving at a charging station with 10% battery left and arriving at destination at 20%. For winter travel, it’s essentially the same, except for the weather, where we chose a temperature of 0 degrees Celsius.
The balance sheet of different routes
Twenty minute charge for 530 kilometers
With a WLTP range of over 600 kilometres, a 530 kilometer trip like we chose obviously doesn’t pose any particular problem. However, it really takes a charge to get to Arcachon with 20% battery.
23 minutes on Ionity, for 28 eurosand here is the Mercedes EQE at almost 80%, enough to reach the destination without incident.
At only 70% battery, A Better Route Planner estimates thatit is possible to travel 280 kilometers at highway speed in a Mercedes EQE, which is remarkable. The estimated fuel consumption for this trip is approximately 203 Wh/km, which is equivalent to a autonomy of 430 kilometers with 100% battery.
Total travel time is 4 hours and 51 minutes, or about 110 km/h on average, including loading.
Three small loads and then go
When winter comes, electric cars will no longer have the same performance. Whether in terms of increased consumption or rapid charging that is no longer optimized as in the summer, conditions are difficult for many vehicles.
The Mercedes EQE seems to be slightly affected by the temperature of 0 degrees and a positive drop, because A Better Route Planner offers only three charges (14, 24 and 31 minutes) on the 850 kilometer route.
Three different networks are used in the course: Fastned, Tesla and Allego, which shows that the various fast charging networks are of great interest to the end customer. He can indeed stop where he wants, according to his needs and wishes. The costs associated with these three charges are estimated at 97 euros, and by adding the home departure charge, the price of this trip is estimated at 112 euros.
Consumption on its side is shown at 240 Wh/km, which gives us a autonomy of 370 kilometers in winter conditions for Mercedes EQE. This corresponds to approx 20% less than in milder summer travel conditions.
Consumption, cost of recharging and range
Below, you’ll find summary tables about the various vehicles we’ve already submitted in this exercise. By counting each time the starting load at home, you can compare the good students and the bad ones, to more easily determine the car that suits you best.
| Vehicle | Cost of riding in summer | Summer trip charging time | Total summer travel time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 Drive | 36 – 49 € | 31 min | 5 h 09 min |
| Tesla Model 3 Long Autonomy | 31 – 45 € | 13 – 25 min | 4 hours 56 min |
| Kia EV6 58kWh | 52 – 60 € | 38 – 43 min | 5 hours 30 min |
| BMW i4 | 48 – 58 € | 22 – 37 min | 5 hours 11 min |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5 | 72 € | 36 min | 5 hours 16 min |
| Mercedes-Benz EQS | 44 € | 14 min | 4 hours 48 min |
| Tesla Model Y Propulsion | 46 € | 34 min | 5 hours 30 min |
| MG MG4 64 kWh | 66 € | 49 min | 5h 39min |
| Renault Megane E-Tech EV60 | 67 € | 56 min | 5h 40 min |
| Kia EV6 77kWh | 56 € | 26 min | 5 h 07 min |
| Hyundai Kona 64kWh | 61 € | 58 min | 5 hours 47 min |
| Peugeot e-208 | 73 € | 1 hour 13 min | 6 h 09 min |
| Tesla Model S poster | 46 € | 14 min | 4 hours 52 min |
| Tesla Model S | 34 € | 9 min | 4 hours 47 min |
| Skoda Enyaq iV 80 | 51 € | 27 min | 5 h 01 min |
| Skoda Enyaq iV Coupe 60 | 58 € | 42 min | 5 hours 19 min |
| Volkswagen ID. Buzz | 82 € | 48 min | 5 hours 37 min |
| MG MG5 | 55 € | 1 hour 03 min | 5 hours 40 min |
| Porsche Taycan | 61 € | 19 min | 4 hours 51 min |
| Mercedes EQE 300 | 43 € | 23 min | 4 hours 54 min |
| Cupra Born VZ XL | 48 € | 33 min | 5 hours 05 min |
| Volkswagen ID.3 Pro S | 46 € | 44 min | 5 hours 16 min |
| Vehicle | Winter travel expenses | Winter riding charging time | Total travel time in winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 Drive | 102 € | 1 hour 42 min | 9:16 a.m |
| Tesla Model 3 Long Autonomy | 101.3 € | 1 hour 02 min | 8:27 a.m |
| Kia EV6 58kWh | 120 € | 1 hour 54 minutes | 9 h 59 min |
| BMW i4 | 147 € | 1 hour 32 min | 9 h 08 min |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5 | 145 € | 1 hour 29 min | 9:14 a.m |
| Mercedes-Benz EQS | 115 € | 50 min | 8 h 03 min |
| Tesla Model Y Propulsion | 120 € | 1 hour 46 min | 9 h 42 min |
| MG MG4 | 109 – 141 € | 2 hours 23 min | 10 h 02 min |
| Renault Megane E-Tech EV60 | 104 – 139 € | 2 hours 12 min | 9 h 49 min |
| Kia EV6 77kWh | 143 € | 1 hour 14 min | 8 hours 54 min |
| Hyundai Kona 64kWh | 98 – 132 € | 2 hours 24 min | 10 h 01 min |
| Peugeot e-208 | 168 € | 2 hours 49 min | 10 h 59 min |
| Tesla Model S poster | 104 € | 42 min | 8 h 05 min |
| Tesla Model S | 88 € | 33 min | 7 hours 55 min |
| Skoda Enyaq iV 80 | 113 € | 1 hour 18 min | 8:33 a.m |
| Skoda Enyaq iV Coupe 60 | 118 € | 1 hour 46 min | 9 h 04 min |
| Volkswagen ID. Buzz | 182 € | 2 hours 04 min | 9 h 41 min |
| MG MG5 | 122 € | 2 hours 36 min | 10 h 01 min |
| Porsche Taycan | 146 € | 58 min | 8 h 05 min |
| Mercedes EQE 300 | 112 € | 1 hour 09 min | 8:32 a.m |
| Cupra Born VZ XL | 108 € | 1 hour 41 min | 9 h 06 min |
| Volkswagen ID.3 Pro S | 105 € | 1 hour 35 min | 8 hours 58 min |
The Mercedes EQE is comfortable on long journeys
With a WLTP range of more than 600 kilometers, it’s no surprise to see the Mercedes EQE shine in this long-distance exercise. In fact, in summer as in winter, it manages to cover almost 300 kilometers before needing to recharge for the first time. In terms of costs, the summer route is shown at 8 euros per 100 kilometers, and the winter route rises to 13.20 euros per 100 kilometers.
This corresponds respectively to a thermal vehicle that consumes around 4.50 to 7.30 liters per 100 kilometers. Given the range in which the Mercedes EQE is placed, it is likely that an equivalent thermal vehicle will be more expensive, even on long trips. On a daily basis, there is no possible comparison, because the Mercedes EQE easily shows a cost of close to two euros per 100 kilometers by charging at home during off-peak hours.
In addition to the comparison with a thermal vehicle, this exercise allows us to see where the Mercedes EQE stands compared to its direct competitors. The BMW i4 costs about 30% more over two long journeys, in addition to requiring more time to recharge. The same goes for the Porsche Taycan for example, and only the Tesla Model S and Model 3 manage themselves against the EQE.
however, Elon Musk’s company cars cannot offer equivalent luxury services : the soundproofing, the flexibility of the suspensions or the quality of the interior are to the advantage of the Mercedes EQE, undeniably. For those who put it in front, there is no doubt that a few tens of euros to be paid more for long journeys will not be a decisive factor in their choice of vehicle.
What if charging an electric car is cheaper than we think? Free charges still exist at the start of 2023, but they are increasingly rare. Let’s go together…
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