An EV allergic to UK weather?

Published: 07 August 2024

► Read month one
► But is it any good?
► It’s not a fan of adverse conditions

Turns out the Mercedes EQE doesn’t like the rain or the dark. I thought I’d easily manage a 210-mile round trip to Heathrow with- out having to charge, as the EQE’s claimed range is 337 miles. But the constant rain (wipers on) and dark (head- lights on) foiled that plan, to the point where I needed to stop at a Shell Recharge. I paid 79p per kWh for the privilege and the charge rate maxed out at 80kW. 

But generally as the weather has got warmer things have im- proved. I’ve had a few journeys averaging more than 3.0 miles per kWh, giving a range of 267 miles, and always using the in- built nav means the car knows to pre-condition the battery as we approach a charger. Max suck has improved to 99kW. 

Logbook: Mercedes-Benz EQE 300 AMG Line Premium Plus (month 2)

Price £86,345
Performance 89kWh battery, e-motor, 241bhp, 7.3sec 0-62mph, 130mph
Efficiency 3.3 miles per kWh (official), 2.01 miles per kWh (tested)
Range 337 miles (official), 240 miles (tested)
Energy cost 18.0p per mile
Miles this month 552
Total miles 1022

By Piers Ward

CAR's deputy editor, word wrangler, historic racer

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