Sustainable Biz - Magazine - Page 18
heat pump can simultaneously harness
three energy sources: waste heat from the
electric-drive unit, waste heat from the
battery and ambient air. The heat pump is
part of the climate control system, which
cools in the summer and heats in the
winter. This approach allows the heat pump
to facilitate exceptionally high charging
performance by preconditioning the highvoltage battery to its optimal temperature
range prior to fast charging. Concurrently,
it aligns with Mercedes-Benz’s philosophy
that efficiency should not compromise
passenger comfort and well-being. Even
during fast charging, the interior remains at
a comfortable temperature – a development
objective validated in Sweden’s polar region.
In Arjeplog and beyond: Mercedes-Benz’s
Rigorous Testing Program For decades,
Mercedes-Benz has subjected each new
model to the most extreme conditions near
the Arctic Circle. As a result, the vehicles
endure temperatures as low as minus
25 degrees Celsius as well as navigating
snow-laden roads and traversing the sheer
ice of frozen lakes. To facilitate this, the
company operates a dedicated testing centre
in Arjeplog, close to the Arctic Circle in
Sweden. Beyond road testing in the far
north, the centre features meticulously
designed test tracks. These include
challenging hill climbs with gradients up
to 20 percent, test tracks with varying
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friction coefficients, handling courses and
circular tracks on the nearly bare ice of the
frozen lake, all of which impose significant
demands on the drive and control systems.
To ensure the overall vehicle integrity,
more than 500 individual tests are carried
out as part of the trial program for a
new Mercedes-Benz model. For electric
The electric GLC sets
new standards for winter
performance, blending
innovation, efficiency,
and confident all-terrain
handling.
vehicles, more than hundred drivespecific tests are added to the standard
procedures, developed specifically for the
new drive technologies. About two thirds
of them specifically concern eDrive and
charging. New challenges for an electric
vehicle include the power output of the
electric motor during a cold start with a
chilled battery, range in customer driving
conditions, handling of charging cables,
preconditioning and the operating strategy
S U S TA I N A B L E B I Z M A G A Z I N E
MAY 2025
including recuperation. Additionally, the
specific tuning of driving dynamics and the
ESP® system is crucial.
To test various customer requirements and
charging profiles, the Arjeplog test centre
offers the full range of charging options:
from simple household outlets to wall boxes
and fast-charging stations.
Systematic overall vehicle validation is a
comprehensive measure in the development
process of every Mercedes-Benz series,
ensuring high-quality standards. In addition
to winter testing, summer testing with
intense sunlight and temperatures up to
50 degrees Celsius is also conducted, for
example in Arizona and South Africa.
Before a new vehicle goes into series
production, it must meet the development
standards and reliability defined by
Mercedes-Benz. This happens in several
steps: First, digital preliminary designs
and simulations are conducted to prove
the feasibility of the concept. Then, the
individual components are validated on test
benches or in corresponding test vehicles.
For example, the durability of the drivetrain
and axle parts is tested to ensure they last.
Subsequently, the systems are tested and
approved in the complete vehicle. The
customer's perspective is crucial: Even
under extreme conditions and in all relevant
usage scenarios, a Mercedes-Benz must be
highly functional and reliable.
