Mountain range

GQ Motoring Editor Dieter Losskarn took the fully electric Mercedes-Benz EQB 350 SUV on a mountain pass tour through the Swiss and Italian Alps. How much energy could he recuperate on those picturesque, serpentine roads?

- Dieter Losskarn

TO BE HONEST, I WASN'T SURE HOW A FULLY ELECTRIC compact SUV would perform on some of the most stunning mountain roads in the world. The last time I embarked on a similar curves trip in a Merc was a couple of years ago. My ride then was the SL 63 AMG.

But, man, did this EQB surprise me? By now, everyone knows electric cars are agile. But on those narrow, windy roads, its low centre of gravity, instant torque and 4Matic made this a proper mountaineer. Some of the sportscar drivers and motorbike riders couldn't believe their eyes when I silently flew past them on those hairpin turns. When you're driving up passes, the battery quickly depletes, but it starts recuperating on the long way down when you're coasting and braking the latter is only necessary for very tight turns.

Like all Mercedes EQs, electric intelligence finds charging points on your route, even in tiny alpine villages. Its high-voltage battery is brought to an optimal charging temperature before a planned charging stop. The EQB's battery is 66kWh and can be charged up to 100kW. So, yes, with a realistic range of about 370km, my anxiety returns after spending time with the long-range EQS. But 30 minutes from 10% back to 80%, or 15 minutes for 150km, isn't that bad, especially as there are charging stations everywhere - and great views and restaurants. While having an excellent lunch on top of the king of mountain passes, Passo de Stelvio, we even loaded up with hydro-generated green electricity at the highest charging point in Europe.