Mercedes-Benz is preparing to wind down production of the EQE sedan and EQE SUV in 2026, marking a sharp pivot in its electric-vehicle strategy. The decision reflects a broader reassessment of its EV lineup as the German automaker readies a new wave of models on its latest 800-volt MB.EA-M platform.
The EQE sedan, currently assembled in Bremen, Germany, and the EQE SUV, built in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, will be indirectly replaced by the upcoming C-Class EQ and GLC EQ. Both are expected to deliver tighter packaging, greater practicality, and chassis tech on par with—or better than—the outgoing EQE models.
This shift comes despite earlier signs that the EQE pair would receive a mid-cycle refresh next year, one that was set to include serious hardware upgrades: a move from 400 to 800 volts, a new silicon-carbide inverter, and Mercedes’ latest eATS2 motors for better efficiency and performance. Those enhancements will now be reserved for the larger EQS sedan and SUV.
The C-Class EQ, arriving in 2026, will slot closer to the EQE in terms of tech. Buyers can expect optional air suspension and rear-axle steering, features not usually seen in this class. Meanwhile, the GLC EQ—making its debut at the 2025 Munich motor show—will boast 570 liters of cargo capacity, plus a 128-liter frunk, outclassing the EQE SUV’s 520-liter figure. A 2500-kilogram towing capacity further reinforces its credentials as a practical family hauler.
Mercedes isn’t officially confirming the EQE’s demise just yet. A company spokesperson stuck to script, saying, “We do not comment on speculation surrounding our current and future models.” Still, the brand did acknowledge that an electric E-Class EQ sedan is under development, scheduled for a 2027 launch on the MB.EA-M platform.
Since their 2022 debut, both EQE models have seen steady updates—heat pumps, energy recuperation tweaks, bigger 96.0-kWh batteries, and power bumps across several variants. Yet, without a clear platform advantage, they’ve been leapfrogged by the more advanced C-Class EQ and GLC EQ.
Phasing out the EQE will free up capacity for the incoming E-Class EQ and allow Mercedes to consolidate its EV lineup under the new architecture. For buyers, that means the best days of the EQE might already be in the rearview mirror.
Source: Mercedes-Benz