Mercedes' Electric G Stumbles So Severely It May Alter Future Developments | Carscoops

      Even in EV-friendly China, only 58 electric G-Class SUVs have been sold since their launch last year, according to sources.

      The electric G-Class is struggling in showrooms, with internal combustion engine (ICE) versions outpacing it by a ratio of seven to one.

      Significant downsides include its poor space efficiency as an EV and a weak towing capacity for an SUV.

      Mercedes is now contemplating redesigning its upcoming electric baby G-Class to incorporate ICE technology.

      It appears that not every legendary vehicle easily transitions to electric, despite the hype. Mercedes created considerable excitement about the G-Class going electric, but the interest from potential buyers has not materialized. Sales have been so poor that the manufacturer is considering modifying its planned EV-only baby G-Class to utilize combustion power, as reported by a German source.

      Related: Mercedes Teases Baby G-Class, Electric E-Class, And More, V8 And V12 Live On

      The all-electric G580 with EQ Technology debuted last April, but outcomes have not met expectations. Handelsblatt reports that the sales have been disappointing since its launch. “The vehicle is stagnating at dealerships; it’s a total failure,” one Mercedes executive informed the publication. Another internal source commented, “It’s a niche model; production volumes are exceedingly low.”

      The report claims that the prohibitively expensive ($161,500 in the US) EV had attracted only 1,450 European customers by the end of April, alongside 61 in South Korea and a mere 58 in electric-centric China. There are even indications that Mercedes may not have sold any units in the US, a claim we are verifying with MB USA.

      Gas G-Class Continues to Thrive

      While the electric version falters, the ICE model is performing well. The pricier ICE SUV outsells its electric counterpart by seven to one, according to Handelsblatt. Unlike the EQS and EQE, the G EV’s lackluster sales cannot be attributed to uninspired design, as it closely resembles the highly sought-after combustion model. So what could be the issue?

      One possible critique is that unlike conventional EVs, which feature extended wheelbases, flat floors, and abundant interior space, the G-Class EQ shares the same dimensions and space as the ICE version. Additionally, its increased weight makes it less effective as a towing vehicle compared to the petrol G-Class, coupled with a disappointing EPA range of 239 miles (385 km).

      Luxury consumers also remain skeptical about the advantages of electric, leaning towards the traditional luxury and prestige associated with a large, powerful petrol engine, even though the G550 has transitioned from a V8 to an inline-six in the latest generation.

      Earlier this year, Mercedes confirmed it would allocate more resources to ICE technology in light of sluggish EV sales while still introducing new electric vehicles. One of those upcoming EVs is the baby G-Class, but Handelsblatt’s sources indicate that Mercedes is seriously contemplating adapting the SUV to feature a combustion engine—or more likely, a hybrid powertrain.

      Also: This Not-So-Serious Fake G-Class Sold For Seriously Real Money.

      This change remains feasible late in the development process because the mini G is designed on the company’s MMA architecture, utilized in both electric and combustion versions of the new CLA, according to the report. This contradicts earlier speculation suggesting Mercedes would choose a different platform.