First look at the all-electric Mercedes-Benz GLC

Mercedes-Benz is preparing to electrify one of its most popular models. The company recently offered a sneak peek at a prototype of its upcoming all-electric GLC, set to arrive in the spring of 2026. It seems there's a major shift in the brand's strategy for electric cars, as it plans to offer customers an electric version of a nameplate they already know and love, moving away from its "EQ" branding for electric vehicles.

The German automaker is no stranger to electric crossovers. Its first attempt, the EQC, was introduced in 2019 but never made it to US shores. European customers have the EQB as well, but this new electric GLC is a different beast altogether. It is built on a brand-new, dedicated 800V EV platform, a foundation that is not shared with the gasoline-powered GLC or even the upcoming electric CLA sedan. This scalable architecture will likely underpin a new generation of electric Mercedes models.

From the outside, the prototype reveals a sleeker, more athletic design than its gas-guzzling sibling, featuring a lower roofline at the back and a longer wheelbase, stretched by about 3.31 inches. Despite its sportier, tapered profile, Mercedes claims the new design actually creates more headroom and overall passenger space than the current GLC.

When it comes to hauling gear, the numbers tell an interesting story. The electric GLC's trunk offers 19.8 ft³ of space, which is slightly less than the 21.9 ft³ in the gasoline version. However, the EV claws back that space and then some with a new feature for Mercedes: a front trunk, or "frunk," that adds an extra 3.5 ft³ of cargo room.

The initial launch model will be called the 400e, and will come with a 94.5 kWh NMC battery pack. This pack powers two electric motors, one at the front and one at the rear, creating an all-wheel-drive system. To save energy, the front motor can disengage when it's not needed during casual driving. Mercedes anticipates a driving range of about 404 miles on the European WLTP cycle, which likely translates to around 320 miles in US EPA testing. The company also plans to offer a rear-wheel-drive, single-motor version later on, as well as an option for a less expensive lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery pack in some markets.

When it's time to recharge, the GLC EV promises to be one of the fastest-charging electric cars available. Thanks to its 800V architecture, it can handle a peak charging power of 320 kilowatts at a DC fast charger. This means drivers can add approximately 162 miles of range in just 10 minutes. For the US market, Mercedes confirmed the GLC will come standard with the NACS (Tesla) charging port, allowing it to use the extensive Supercharger network. However, since Superchargers operate on a 400V system, charging speeds in the US might be slower than in Europe.

According to Mercedes, the GLC 400e will have 483 horsepower (360 kW) on tap, placing it in direct competition with rivals like the Porsche Macan EV. Interestingly, Mercedes has fitted the new GLC with a two-speed transmission, a feature also found in the new CLA. The company says this helps improve efficiency at higher speeds.

Many details, including the price and final interior design, remain under wraps for now, but this early look shows that Mercedes is taking the development of its mainstream EVs very seriously. There's one potential hiccup, though - with the vehicle being built in Germany, it will face a 25% import tariff in the United States, making it challenging to compete on price. But has Mercedes ever worried about keeping its prices low?

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