Cars based on vans have been commonplace for a long time, but the popularity of people-moving Citroën Berlingos and the like – dog cars, I like to call them – is on the wane in sales terms, due to the rise of SUVs. Which makes the new Mercedes EQT a curious thing.
Being derived from the recently introduced T-Class (which is the passenger version of the second-generation Citan compact van) means the EQT shares its platform with the Renault Kangoo, and in fact it’s built by the French company in Maubeuge.
The single front-mounted 122bhp electric motor and 45kWh battery are also familiar, coming from the eCitan and Kangoo E-Tech, and in this application are officially enough for a range of 175 miles.
Charging can occur at rates of up to 80kW, taking the EQT from 10-80% in as little as 38 minutes.