The Mercedes-EQ EQA is the gateway to the electric age

Mercedes-EQ is betting on their compact EQA for owners looking to go electric, in the brand’s push to be fully electric by 2030.

Mercedes-Benz has begun on a journey. Their journey – like many other car brands – is the journey to full electrification, as cities around the world take a zero-emissions approach to transportation.

The brand is transitioning from an ‘electric first’ to an ‘electric only’ motto, and has invested €40bn to make that happen. In the pipeline are three new EV architectures, and eight battery gigafactories built in conjunction with partners.

By next year, they intend to have an electric offering in each segment. And, by 2025, there’ll be an electric variant of every model they make. The end goal is to have a lineup that’s completely electric (or at least a plug-in hybrid) by 2030.

Of course, this goal of electrification really depends on the EV infrastructure of each of their consumer markets. In Singapore, this goal seems achievable, given the Government’s Green Plan that aims to put 60,000 EV charging points nationwide.

I wanna be part of this!

Already thinking of going electric? Mercedes-EQ has you covered with the new EQA.

Essentially, it’s an electrified GLA-Class compact SUV, and it even feels identical inside. Short of the additional ‘EQ’ menu on the MBUX infotainment system, it’s near impossible to tell the difference. Making the EV transition even less jarring is the very usable 426km range, and its S$222,888 list price. For context, that’s just S$4,000 more than a similarly equipped petrol GLA200!

Unlike the interior, Mercedes-EQ has given the EQA distinct enough styling that make the all-electric model immediately identifiable. Available at launch is the EQA 250 AMG Line, with sporty bumpers sitting below the signature black panel radiator grille. There’s also a continuous light strip at the front and rear, and specially-designed aerodynamic wheel options.

Give me the details!

Apart from the aforementioned S$222,888 list price, here’s some other numbers you might want to know. It’s got a 188 bhp, 375 Nm electric motor, with a range of up to 426 km. 0-100 comes in 8.9 seconds, on to a top speed of 160 km/h. The underfloor lithium-ion battery has a 66.5 kWh capacity, and takes just 30 minutes to charge from 10% to 80%.

Debuting on the EQA (it’ll be available in other Mercedes-EQ models later on) is the D Auto driving mode. The EQA brakes autonomously using the radar system to read road data, maximising energy recuperation.

Sign me up!

The EQA 250 AMG Line is available right now, but will soon be joined by three other variants. These three namely are the Progressive, Electric Art, and Edition One.

Available only for a limited time, the Edition One is differentiated with ‘EQA Edition’ fender trim, and 20-inch rose gold wheels. The Electric Art adds even more style and sustainability, with rose gold fabric made from recycled PET bottles and a rose gold keyfob.

Check out the Mercedes-EQ EQA on the Mercedes-Benz Singapore website here.