Mercedes still plan to add electric supporters to all combustion engine models from the A to S-Class, from the GLA to the GLE within the calendar year, equipping 20 models with its EQ Power drivetrain.
For models with a transversely installed engine and the 8G-DCT dual-clutch transmission, a compact hybrid traction head was developed whose electric machine works as a permanently excited synchronous machine with an internal rotor. Its stator is an integral component of the traction head housing, the rotor of the electric motor comprises the low-loss separator clutch running in the oil bath.
On-demand stator and rotor cooling make it possible to call on both the peak and continuous performance of the electric machine without any compromise. The structure of the hybrid components enables Mercedes-Benz to do without a 12V starter, as only the electric machine is used for starting and boosting the combustion engine.
For the third-generation EQ Power hybrids the company has changed from lithium-iron-phosphate (LiFePo) to lithium-nickel-manganese-cobalt (Li-NMC) allowing increased cell capacity from 22 to 37 Ah. As a result, battery packs are more compact, with advantages for boot capacity and cabin space.
A lithium-ion battery with an overall capacity of approx. 15.6 kWh serves as an energy storage unit for the electrical system. It can be charged with alternating or direct current. The compact plug-in hybrids can be charged with alternating current (AC) within 1 h 45 min from 10-100% SoC. With the faster direct current (DC) the charging time reduces to 25 minutes from 10-80% SoC. The water-cooled batteries weigh approximately 150 kilograms.
Third-generation Mercedes-Benz plug-in hybrid produces a CO2 output approximately 20% higher than a comparable model with conventional drive, mainly down to the high-voltage battery.
Systematic use of the plug-in function, i.e. regular charging of the battery via the network, combined with the higher efficiency in operating status itself, cuts the CO2 output by 40%, even with the energy mix currently available in Germany. If the starter battery is charged exclusively with green power, the CO2 saving of the EQ Power models from Mercedes-Benz even rises to 70%.