The all-electric Mercedes Benz VISION EQXX has just completed a 1,008-kilometer (626 miles) road trip across European highways on a single charge. The challenge began in a cold and rainy Sindelfingen, Germany, and continued through the Swiss Alps and northern Italy before concluding in the sun of Cassis on the French Riviera.

Overview

Let’s face it, range anxiety is still a thing in the EV ecosystem. But, as Mercedes has now on this latest mileage run demonstrated what the future could look like, thinking about how far out you can drive in your EV may soon become a thing of the past.

When the VISION EQXX debuted earlier this year at CES in Las Vegas, the range numbers on it were nothing short of impressive.} The automaker took the "Star" and marketed it as the most-efficient electric car ever created, thanks to the EQXX's claimed 1000-km or 621-mile estimated range.

The Vision EXQQ

The 100 kWh battery in the VISION EQXX concept is comparable to that in the Mercedes-Benz EQS (range 435 miles), but it is 50-percent smaller and 30-percent lighter.} It weighs only 3,913 pounds, and has cutting-edge aerodynamics with a drag coefficient of as low as 0.17. You also have active aero bits like the rear diffuser that deploys automatically at 37 mph.

Off To The French Rivera

The Vision EQXX took off from Sindelfingen and arrived on the Côte d'Azur 12 hours later. En route, the EQXX encountered a wide array of conditions, gradient, and elevation changes on everything from alpine roads to straight highways. Temperatures changed from as low as 37 degrees F to 64 degrees F on the way down south.

According to Mercedes-Benz, the changing conditions allow it to make measurements to aid in the development of its EVs. The team at Mercedes HQ was busy collecting and monitoring a lot of data in real-time.

There was no thought of taking the easy way out as this test was conducted in regular traffic with no stops to simulate real-world situations. The route took the team through the Swiss Alps and northern Italy. Of course, the bailiffs made certain that no one manipulated or altered anything by blocking off the charging connections and accompanied the electric car on its 12-hour drive.

The EQXX performed admirably, and 12 hours later, the team successfully made it to the south of France, arriving in the port town of Cassis near Marseille. The EQXX sure does look surreal against the pristine blue waters of the Med. After they arrived, there was still about 15-percent charge left, enough from another 87 miles. Consumption was as low as 7.1 kWh/62 miles, which is lower than Mercedes’ own claim of 10 kWh/ 62 miles.

Conclusion

This was a monumental achievement for Mercedes. The German marque will undoubtedly be a pioneer in battery technology with this level of technology, and its innovations may one day help in eradicating range anxiety for good.

And, it will do so in the future. The VISION EQXX is, of course, just a concept, but some of its technologies will be utilized in future Mercedes-Benz production vehicles.