Mercedes-Benz has reportedly made the decision to significantly reduce its investment in electric vehicle platform development, specifically halting plans for its new MB.EA Large architecture. This platform, which was set to be launched in 2028, was intended to underpin the successors to the existing EQE and EQS saloons and SUVs. The decision to cancel the development of the MB.EA Large platform is said to be a result of poor sales of the current EQE and EQS models.
According to Handelsblatt, the German financial publication that first reported this news, the investment savings from halting the development of the MB.EA Large platform and making infrastructure changes at production sites are estimated to be between €4 billion and €6 billion. This decision showcases Mercedes-Benz’s shift in focus and realignment of future development activities.
Instead of pursuing the MB.EA Large platform, Mercedes-Benz plans to further develop the EVA2 platform, which is currently the basis for the existing EQE and EQS models. The updated EVA2 platform will feature an 800V charging architecture, replacing the current 400V system. Additionally, Mercedes-Benz intends to introduce new battery cell technology and more efficient electric motors to enhance the range of their electric vehicles.
Alongside the EVA2 platform, Mercedes-Benz has firm plans for several other platforms. The MMA platform is designed to support both electric and combustion drivetrains and will underpin models such as the third-generation CLA, CLA Shooting Brake, third-generation GLA, and second-generation GLB. The MB.AMG platform, slated for release in 2025, will be a pure-electric architecture and will serve as the foundation for a successor to the AMG GT 4-Door Coupe as well as a new closely related AMG SUV model. Finally, the MB.VAN platform, launching in 2026, will initially be used for a successor to the Mercedes EQV and then expanded for other commercial vehicles.
This shift in focus and the cancellation of the MB.EA Large platform aligns with Mercedes-Benz’s recent decision to postpone its goal of achieving a 50% electric vehicle share of sales from 2025 to 2030. The company has also backtracked on its plan to sell electric cars exclusively by 2030, stating that it will depend on market conditions.
As a result of the decision to halt the development of the MB.EA Large platform, Mercedes-Benz will continue to produce combustion models with plug-in hybrid capability alongside their electric counterparts. These combustion models will be based on an updated version of the MRA platform and will include successors to the seventh-generation S-Class, fourth-generation GLE SUV, third-generation GLE Coupe, and third-generation GLS.
In conclusion, Mercedes-Benz’s decision to reduce its investment in electric vehicle platform development and cancel plans for the MB.EA Large architecture reflects the company’s response to poor sales of current electric models. This realignment of future development activities allows Mercedes-Benz to focus on enhancing existing platforms, introducing new technology, and pursuing a more balanced approach between electric and combustion drivetrains.
