Opinion / Why Mercedes-Benz EQXX could be the brand’s most important car in history: the futuristic electric vehicle (EV) concept aims to rival Elon Musk’s Tesla – but will it actually enter production?

Jan 7, 2022

Mercedes has unveiled a new all-electric concept car, the EQXX. Photo: @mercedesbenz/Instagram

The sleek new electric concept car can travel over 600 miles (1,000km) on one charge – a distance equivalent to the drive from Paris to London and back

Tesla’s US sales surpassed Mercedes, BMW, Audi and Lexus at one point, marking the first time that an electric car brand has dominated the luxury car market

This article is part of STYLE’s Inside Luxury column

Every time I write articles about electric cars in the luxury industry, it triggers a huge controversy. Aficionados of petrol engines tell me that electric cars have no soul, that there is no sound, and that they will never be truly luxurious. I once got a death threat from a petrol enthusiast who told me I should be punished for being supportive of the electric car future. As someone who is extremely passionate about cars and owns both luxury electric and petrol vehicles, as well as a classic car, I am obviously aware of the differences between the two worlds. And both have their distinct profile.

In the history of transport, there has always been controversy. When the first motor cars showed up a little more than a hundred years ago, horse-carriage fans were slamming these new vehicles as dangerous, and especially the speeds of 10 miles (16km) per hour or more where perceived as being bad for health. Seat belts, when they first appeared in the 1950s, had many critics as well. Whining about electric cars reminds me of these discussions. And the leaders of today shaped the future anyway, despite the naysayers.