With the EQA, Mercedes has been offering a fully electric vehicle in the compact SUV class for several months. In the test, it impresses with its comfort and economical consumption. Charging costs are another issue.
Thanks to increasing ranges, even longer motorway tours can now be relaxed with e-cars. The new Mercedes EQA, for example, should travel over 400 WLTP kilometers on one charge and, thanks to powerful charging technology, also refuel quickly. Accordingly, we dare the return trip between Cologne and Bremen, on which we experience some mostly positive surprises.
Forecast and reality are different
Thanks to the 66,5 kWh battery, the electric version of the compact SUV GLA can actually cover 415 kilometers according to the WLTP protocol. The on-board computer is not entirely convinced of this before the first tour with a fully charged battery. He predicts 385 kilometers, which should be enough for the 335 kilometer trip. However, the conditions for Stromer on the autobahn are not exactly conducive to range. When we feed the navigation system with the desired destination, it immediately suggests a 15-minute stopover for charging after about 200 kilometers. A short rest can't hurt, especially since the range cushion increases by more than 100 kilometers with the prospect of refueling. In any case, there was no fear of range. Accordingly, we started our modern travel adventure with active air conditioning, switched on radio and a cruise control set to 120 km / h.
While the landscape rushes past you, the ambience of the well-equipped Edition 1 version unfolds its homely effect. Materials, workmanship and the type of furnishings create a feel-good atmosphere that few other manufacturers offer at this level. The Benz is also particularly quiet not only because of its electric drive. The entire vehicle appears finely insulated and solid, the brilliant sound of the audio system also ensures that the EQA is perceived as a leisure vehicle with good space. Thanks to the super-smooth nature, you don't even want to switch to a normal combustion car. The only drawback: The back seat of the EQA offers guests plenty of legroom, but the footwell lacks depth, which is why people of average height sit here with their legs bent sharply.
Goes faster
Although quiet, the 140 kW / 190 PS electric motor is anything but reserved when it comes to propulsion. Regardless of the situation in which you step on the accelerator pedal, the machine always casually pushes the two-ton truck forward and conveys a sense of sovereignty appropriate to the brand. After 8,9 seconds, the EQA reaches 100 km / h from a standstill. Those who demand maximum thrust during the traffic light sprint, however, put the front wheels under a lot of pressure. On wet roads, it can be a challenge to convert the 375 Newton meters of torque from the front wheels alone into clean propulsion. As an alternative, Mercedes has been offering the EQA in more powerful all-wheel drive versions since May. But no matter which performance version: A maximum of only 160 km / h is possible, which the Stromer can easily and quickly achieve.
However, speed costs range. At 120 km / h, according to the on-board computer, the 385 kilometers initially shrank to 330 kilometers. In this respect, it was good to temporarily dock with an Aral fast charger, which, as indicated by the networked navigation system, was also available. Thanks to over 100 kW charging power, 14 kW flowed into the batteries in 22 minutes, and the range increased to over 200 kilometers. That was easily enough for the rest of the way, on which we increased the travel speed to 130 km / h. At the destination, there were still 80 kilometers left and thus a relaxed cushion. Paying when refueling was also relaxed, which makes the “Mercedes Me” card much easier at charging stations. If you hold the plastic card to the chip reader, the streamlets flow. When you have filled up enough, all you have to do is hang the charging plug back on the column. By the way, 22 euros were charged for the 12,71 kWh, which is unfortunately not a bargain in relation to gasoline or diesel.
Not cheaper than a combustion engine
Charging at a household socket is cheaper, but unfortunately also extremely tedious. This can take up to 40 hours. An interposed electricity meter showed consumption of around 83 kWh after filling up, which corresponds to a good 30 euros at a price of around 25 cents per kilowatt hour. It was cheap to refuel at an Ionity fast charging station, where we got 9 kWh in 6 minutes for 2,47 euros. There was even free electricity in a mall. At another Innogy public charging station south of Cologne, an impressive 51 euros were debited for the more than ten-hour refueling of 52,38 kWh thanks to additional charges. We used a total of 850 kWh over a distance of 200 kilometers, which corresponds to an average consumption including charging losses of 23,5 kWh. If you consistently refuel cheaply, the EQA causes energy costs of around 7 euros per 100 kilometers. That would be little and on the level of economical diesel. In practice, however, it was an average of 13 euros thanks to the expensive refueling. But there is still a lot of room for improvement here. Anyone who uses the EQA or another e-car in everyday life will quickly find out where to refuel cheaply and where to refuel only in an emergency. If you fill up with your own solar power, energy costs can even be far below the combustion level.
Speaking of costs: the price of the EQA basic version, which costs around 44.000 euros, can be reduced to 34.400 euros thanks to the innovation bonus. For an almost four and a half meter tall five-door hatchback with a high level of performance and comfort that is already equipped with a few amenities, it is definitely worth considering. Those who want more equipment can, for example, order the Edition 8.500 special model for around 1 euros extra.
Technical data
Five-door compact class SUV; Length: 4,46 meters, width (without exterior mirrors): 2,02 meters (1,83 meters), height: 1,62 meters, wheelbase: 2,73 meters, trunk volume: 340 to 1.320 liters. Empty weight: 2.040 kg
Electric motor with 140 kW / 190 PS, maximum torque: 375 Nm. Lithium-ion battery with 200 cells in five modules. Usable energy content: 66,5 kW / h. Range according to WLPT 415 kilometers. Charging time to 100 percent on wallbox (11 kW): 5:75 hours; Charging time to 10 - 80 percent of the DC charger (100 kW): 32 minutes. Front-wheel drive, automatic input, 0-100 km / h: 8,9 s, Vmax: 160 km / h, standard consumption (WLTP) 18,3 kW / h / 100 km, test consumption: 23,5 kWh, CO2 Emissions: 0 g / km, efficiency class: A +, price: from 43.970 euros
In brief
Why: because it is pleasant to drive and a good everyday car
Why not: because you can drive faster and further with a combustion engine
What else: Audi Q4 E-Tron, BMW iX3, Aiways U5