Mercedes-Benz is taking on Tesla with its new EQA electric compact SUV.

The electric car, which launched in February, will at first have a range of 426 kilometres.

A version with a 500km range will be launched later.

The "double-decker" lithium-ion battery, which sits as a structural element within the underbody of the vehicle, has an energy content of 66.5 kWh.

The EQA vehicle will be available in Germany at prices from 47,540.50 euros.

"Mercedes-EQ aspires to take the lead in the field of electric drive systems and vehicle software. To this end, we have defined some ambitious product development goals and resolved to push forward with the accelerated market introduction of new technologies", said Markus Schäfer, member of the board of management of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG.

"The new EQA allows us to show the way we envisage e-mobility as tailored to the needs of our customers. We will offer a whole family of EQA models, with output ranging from 140 through to more than 200 kW, and with front-wheel as well as all-wheel drive.

He added: “And for those for whom the issue of range is particularly important, our portfolio will in due course also include a special version of the EQA with a radius of more than 500 kilometres according to WLTP. The EQA proves that, by using a tried and tested architecture, it is possible to achieve an excellent compromise between performance, costs and time to market."

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