Mercedes-Benz to Introduce 10 Different Models of Electric Cars by 2022; Race for Electric Vehicle Supremacy Heating Up

Mercedes-Benz has long etched its own niche in the automobile industry and now the company is looking to carve out its own place in the future. Mercedes-Benz plans to introduce 10 different electric car models by 2022, essentially joining the race for electric vehicle supremacy with other automotive manufacturers.

Bloomberg reports that Daimler, the parent company of Mercedes-Benz, is hastening its plans to roll-out its electric vehicle line to comply with the European regulation law on carbon-dioxide emissions. According to Manfred Bishoff, chairman of Daimler, they want to be at the forefront and lead the transformation of the automotive industry as car manufacturers shift their designs on cars that run on electric motors and electric vehicles that can drive itself.

The roll-out plan will come in 2022, 3 years sooner than what Mercedes-Benz initially planned. Daimler announced that it is launching their line of electric vehicles under the name EQ during the Paris auto show last September 2016. The sub-brand name EQ stands for electric intelligence.

According to Green Car Reports, Mercedes-Benz is investing 10 billion Euros in developing and meeting their planned electric cars launch date. The development timeframe seems a bit short especially since Daimler claim that they plan to incorporate a brand new technology in their electric vehicle line. However, this makes perfect sense since other automotive manufacturers such as Porsche, BMW, Tesla, Audi, and Jaguar are currently ahead with the development of their own electric-powered vehicle.

Under the sub-brand name EQ, Daimler will launch one electric vehicle in the form of the Mercedes-Benz GLC-sized crossover line. However, not every model in the EQ line will focus on luxury cars. Mercedes-Benz has already announced its plans to deliver a battery-powered heavy-duty truck having a 124-mile range.

Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz is trailing Tesla who is currently leading the race for electric vehicle supremacy with its Model S and Model X already available. Porsche targets 2019 for the launch of the Mission E concept while BMW plans to roll out its i-branded car in 2021 to give way to other BMW electric variants such as the Mini Hardtop and the next-gen X3.

Audi, on the other hand, will introduce 3 different electric vehicle models by 2020 including a large SUV and a big sedan. Jaguar is reportedly turning its i-Pace model to make a run against Tesla's Model X. As evidenced by all these planned launches of electric vehicles from competing automotive manufacturers, Mercedes-Benz seems to be lagging behind in the race, and that is probably one reason why it is pushing for a 2022 launch.

To whatever conclusion this race for electric vehicle supremacy may end, there is already one clear winner: the planet Earth. And with Mercedes-Benz joining the race, fossil fuel-utilizing vehicles will one day be a thing of the past.