Mercedes is reportedly preparing to pull the plug on two of its newest electric vehicles.
Both the EQE sedan and EQE SUV are set to end production by 2026, giving them some of the shortest lifespans in the brand’s modern line up.
The EQE was first revealed at the 2021 Munich Motor Show, with the SUV version following a year later.
Despite the hype, neither model has lived up to expectations. In the United States, combined EQE sales dropped 39 percent last year, falling to just 11,660 units. For a brand like Mercedes, those numbers are well below what is considered sustainable.
Pricing has also been an issue. The EQE sedan starts at $64,950 in the US and stretches to $96,600 for the AMG version, which offers just 220 miles of range.
The SUV costs the same at entry level, but the AMG version tips over $97,000. Range is only marginally better at 230 miles. Against rivals pushing past 300 miles, these figures simply did not cut through.
According to reports, the decision is part of a broader reshuffle in Mercedes’ EV portfolio.
The brand has been looking to reduce overlap between models while preparing the next wave of electric vehicles. Both the EQE sedan and SUV are expected to be indirectly replaced by the upcoming C Class and GLC EVs.
There is also a direct successor on the horizon. Mercedes has already confirmed development of a fully electric E Class.
The model is said to move away from the rounded EQ styling and return to a classic three box design with a more status oriented stance. That car would effectively take the EQE’s place in the line up, provided the project avoids the axe itself.
The short production run of the EQE and EQE SUV is a reminder of how quickly the EV market is shifting. Technology, consumer expectations, and competition are all moving at speed. Even for a brand as established as Mercedes, there is little room for missteps.
For now, buyers interested in either EQE model have limited time left before both disappear from the order books. The focus has already shifted to what comes next.
