Mercedes has canceled next-generation EV platform as buyers cool on electric cars

Mercedes has dropped plans to develop a new MB.EA platform for future large EVs, according to a report. The architecture would have been used for electric E-Class and S-Class models, but the German automaker will instead update its existing EVA2 platform, currently used by EQE and EQS

The news was first reported by Handelsblatt. Mercedes also confirmed the information to Automobilwoche, telling journalists that "the pace of the transformation will be determined by market conditions and the wishes of our customers".

According to Autocar, Mercedes is expected to save between €4-6 billion ($4.3-6.5 billion). The publication adds that the changes to the EVA2 platform will upgrade the electrical architecture from 400 to 800 volts and introduce new motors and batteries that will provide more range between charges.

Originally, Mercedes aimed at switching almost fully to EVs by decade’s end but adjusted its plans noting only half of its 2030 sales are expected to be battery-electric (BEV) and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV).

However, this is not the end of the MB.EA project. While the MB.EA Large program has been scrapped, the smaller version of the MB.EA platform, MB.EA Medium, which is intended for the electric C-Class and its SUV sibling, the replacement for today's EQC, will continue to be developed.

Sources: Handelsblatt, Automobilwoche, Autocar