Mercedes-Benz plans to build the complete powertrain for its new MMA and MB.EA electric architectures entirely in-house starting in 2024, a top executive said.
"To do this, we are significantly increasing the depth of added value and are also switching from third-party sourcing to in-house production, Markus Schaefer, head of development at Mercedes parent Daimler, told Automotive News Europe sibling publication Automobilwoche. “Until now, the electric powertrains have come from external partners."
Among them are ZF Friedrichshafen, which supplies powertrain modules for the EQC midsize SUV, and Valeo Siemens eAutomotive, which supplies motors for the EQS, Mercedes’ luxury EV flagship.
"We want to control the overall system of electric motor, battery and power electronics as much as possible, similar to what is the case with the combustion engine," Schäfer said. This also includes the inverter, which transfers the energy from the battery to the engine. "Whether we will then also build this ourselves has not yet been decided, however," he added.
Mercedes offered a look at what the new drivetrain could look like when it presented its Vision EQXX concept at the CES show last week.
With the same battery capacity, it requires half the installation space, is around a third lighter than before and is highly efficient, the automaker said.
The EQXX will consume only 10 kilowatt hours per 100 km, while current EVs use about 15 kilowatt hours or more. This should enable significantly longer ranges, especially for next-generation compact cars; the EQXX can travel more than 1,000 km (600 miles) on a single charge.