World’s longest EV range – Mercedes Vision EQXX achieves over 1,000 km in real-world driving

• Total driving distance of 1,008 km
• 140 km remaining range
• Average consumption of 8.7 kWh/100 km

Previously, the Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX made its debut with a theoretical 1,000 km range in real-world driving. Now though, it has taken on the roads of Europe and proved its efficiency. 

Traveling from Sindelfingen across the Swiss Alps and Northern Italy, to its destination of Cassis on the Côte d'Azur, it covered more than 1,000 km in everyday traffic, on a single battery charge.

The journey started in cold and rainy conditions, and was undertaken at regular road speeds, including prolonged fast-lane cruising at up to 140 km/h on the German Autobahn and near the speed limit elsewhere. 

The battery's state of charge on arrival was around 15 percent, amounting to a remaining range of around 140 km, after 11 hours and 32 minutes of driving time and a total distance of 1,008 km. The average consumption was an impressive 8.7 kWh/100 km.

The long-distance drive was completed with the charging socket sealed and accompanied by an independent expert from certification body TUV SUD.

How did the Vision EQXX achieve such figures?

For one, it has an incredibly slippery body. With drag coefficient value of 0.17, it gives the wind virtually nothing to grab hold of. It starts with the basic shape of the body, cradling the dome of the greenhouse as it flows like a water droplet towards the rear.

Equally beneficial to the aerodynamics are the small frontal area of 2.12 m² and the reduced rear track. Because this is 2 inches narrower than at the front, the rear wheels roll in the slipstream of the front wheels.

It uses extremely low rolling-resistance tyres made specifically for the EQXX by Bridgestone, with an odd size of 185/65 R 20, which means they have a large diameter and a narrow tread.

It’s also relatively lightweight by EV standards, coming in at just 1,755 kg. The figure is even more impressive considering the Vision EQXX has a massive 100 kWh battery.

The power unit, despite its modest peak output of 245 PS, is also said to be highly efficient. Mercedes says its average efficiency in this application is 95%, meaning 95% of the energy from the battery ends up at the wheels. There’s also a solar roof that adds up to 25 km range on a journey of over 1,000 km.

“We did it! Powering through more than 1,000 kilometres with ease on a single battery charge and a consumption of only 8.7 kWh/100 km in real-world traffic conditions. The Vision EQXX is the most efficient Mercedes ever built.

"The technology programme behind it marks a milestone in the development of electric vehicles. It underpins our strategic aim to ‘Lead in Electric’,” says Ola Källenius, CEO of Mercedes-Benz.

Also read: The Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX concept promises a 1,000km range but you’ll have to conceptualise that as well