Mercedes has long hinted that its EQ models were on their way out, and now it looks like that shift is finally happening—alongside some significant design changes.
A New Naming Strategy
Mercedes has officially abandoned the "EQ" branding for its electric vehicles, meaning EVs will no longer have a separate designation in the model lineup.
Instead, electric models will be integrated into the existing naming structure, blurring the lines between fossil-fueled and electric cars.
Previously, Mercedes' electric models were distinctly labeled under the EQ brand, with names like EQA, EQB, EQC, and EQS, while gasoline and diesel models retained familiar designations such as A-Class, B-Class, and S-Class.
Mercedes isn’t alone in this shift—Audi has also decided that cars of the same size will share the same name, regardless of whether they run on diesel, gasoline, or electricity.
A Mercedes spokesperson confirmed the change to Automotive News: “We are strengthening our traditional class logic and will no longer use 'EQ' in model naming for new vehicles.”
Moving forward, Mercedes models will offer multiple powertrain options—including electric, hybrid, and combustion—under the same model name.
What Will Happen to the EQ Name?
While the EQ designation is disappearing from model names, parts of it will still be used. "EQ Technology" and "EQ Hybrid Technology" will remain in use to differentiate pure electric vehicles from plug-in hybrids.
The shift signals a new strategy for Mercedes, where EVs are no longer seen as a separate category but rather as an integral part of the brand’s lineup.
In addition to this naming update, Mercedes CEO Ola Källenius stated last year that the company’s "overly experimental" design approach would also come to an end.
According to Källenius, Mercedes models should always look like a Mercedes, reinforcing the brand’s timeless and recognizable design language.
