Mercedes EQS Is A Luxury Car With A Conscience

When we think of the environmental impact cars have on the world, our minds often go to exhaust gases and fuel usage. However, manufacturing itself takes a toll on the environment, with the need for factories and raw materials. Mercedes-Benz recognizes this and, as a result, carries out lifecycle assessments on their vehicles. The latest to pass the validation audit is its plush electric car, theEQS450+.

Examining all the environmental aspects, the check provides data on consumption, emissions, and a lifecycle assessment, among other things. While an electric car doesn't emit any harmful gases in operation, important factors with regards to an EV are the production of the high-voltage battery and the external charging processes.

Two scenarios are used: the "EU electricity mix" and "regenerative" scenarios. The former is taken into account for charging the battery while in the latter, renewably produced energy is used for the production of battery cells and for charging processes in the vehicle use phase. Mercedes bases the scenarios on the luxury sedan covering 186,411 miles in its lifetime.

It may be a range-topping, decadent luxury car - but it has a conscience. Examples of sustainability found in and around the EQS include battery cell cathodes with a cobalt content of 10%. Recycled and renewable raw materials are also prominent, with 176 lbs of components made from resource-saving substances. What's more, the EQS is currently the most aerodynamic production car in the world, delivering better range and reduced consumption.

Even the factory where the EQS is produced has afocus on sustainability. 12,000 photovoltaic modules sit on the roof and, with a maximum output of approximately 5,000 kWp (kilowatt 'peak' power), accounts for up to 30% of the plant's energy needs on an annual average. Overall, the EQS production site has an energy requirement that is 25% lower than the brand's other assembly sites.