Mercedes EQC SUV - MPG, running costs & CO2

With low everyday running costs, the biggest stumbling block to EQC ownership is likely to be its high showroom prices, which start from around £65,000. However, this is the going rate for the first wave of luxury electric SUVs because the EQC closely matches the I-Pace on price and actually undercuts the Audi e-tron and Tesla Model X by some margin.

Mercedes EQC MPG & CO2

The EQC has an 80kWh lithium-ion battery pack, making it the smallest compared with the Jaguar (90kWh) and Audi (95kWh). However, its range of up to 256 miles splits the official WLTP figures of the others.

Like its rivals, the EQC should offer enough driving range for cross-country trips, either in one fell swoop or by stopping off via a public charger. We found it performed well for efficiency on a mixed test route, achieving 2.8miles per kWh. Using one of the latest breeds of fast-charger, its battery pack can be replenished from 10 to 80% in around 40 minutes at 110kW - the amount of time it takes to have a break in a motorway services.

Of course, one of the biggest reasons to drive an EV is their non-existent tailpipe emissions, paying dividends for business drivers with a zero BiK liability for the 2020/21 financial year. Customers also benefit from the full £3,000 Government Plug-in Car grant and basic VED (road tax) exemption. The EQC’s zero emission status also means it’s no longer liable for the additional VED surcharge levied against new cars costing over £40,000, as this now only applies to petrol and diesel models.

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Insurance groups

If insurance costs are a concern, the first wave of luxury electric SUVs might not be for you. The exact groups for the EQC haven't been confirmed yet but with the Jaguar I-Pace starting in group 49 and the Audi e-tron and Tesla Model X both in the top group 50, it seems unlikely the Mercedes will be any different. Yes, that's the same insurance group as Ferraris and Lamborghinis.

Warranty

Mercedes' warranty matches Jaguar's, covering the EQC for three years with no mileage cap but with an extended eight-year (100,000-mile) warranty for the battery pack - giving owners peace of mind it won't suddenly lose charging capacity like an old mobile phone. Tesla does things slightly differently, providing a four-year/50,000-mile vehicle warranty and eight years of battery and powertrain cover.

European Roadside assistance is also thrown in, which continues for up to 30 years, so long as you maintain a Mercedes service history.

Servicing

In theory, electric models should be simpler and easier to service than petrol, diesel or hybrid models. There's no engine oil, fuel filters or timing belt to worry about, so the majority of maintenance will include checking (and eventually replacing) the brake fluid, keeping the air-conditioning working as it should, and checking for wear and tear of the brakes, suspension, tyres and wiper blades. Mercedes offers a ServiceCare package to cover maintenance with a one-off or monthly payments.