The recently launched EQA 250+ by Mercedes-Benz India seamlessly combines 'Progressive Design' and 'Intuitive Technology,' offering safety standards that surpass European norms - Euro NCAP. With its dynamic SUV body, the EQA 250+ not only exudes style but also promises a thrilling driving experience while maintaining everyday practicality.
Santosh Iyer, Managing Director & CEO of Mercedes-Benz India, emphasised that safety is the company’s core commitment. “We are the first manufacturer to publicly conduct a frontal offset crash test between two electric cars. The test involved our EQA colliding with an EQS SUV at a speed of 56 kmph, exceeding the European safety regulation stipulation of 50 kmph.”
The results of this test were impressive. Despite extensive damage, the passenger cabin and high-voltage batteries remained intact, and the doors could still be opened. Analysis of the four crash test dummies revealed a low risk of serious injury, measured at up to 150 points per dummy. This test underscores the company’s intent to safety and its goal of achieving zero accidents involving its vehicles by 2050.
The company continues to lead with a vision that integrates diversity, sustainability, and safety. “Our initiatives reflect our commitment to not only delivering luxurious vehicles but also fostering a better, safer, and more inclusive society,” Iyer added.
Setting New Standards In Electric Vehicle Safety Testing
Mercedes-Benz has long been a trailblazer in vehicle safety, with its in-house accident research setting benchmarks for the automotive industry. Recently, the company made history by conducting the world’s first public crash test involving two all-electric vehicles, reaffirming the importance given to safety. Held at the state-of-the-art technology center for vehicle safety in Sindelfingen, Germany, this groundbreaking test featured the all-electric EQA SUV and EQS SUV.
The test exceeded both legal and independent body requirements, such as those of Euro NCAP, showcasing the brand's dedication to pioneering safety standards. “Safety is part of Mercedes-Benz’s DNA and one of our core commitments to all road users,” says Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management and Chief Technology Officer of Mercedes-Benz Group AG. “Protecting human lives is not a question of drive system. The recent crash test involving two fully electric vehicles demonstrates this. It proves that all our vehicles have an equally high level of safety, no matter what technology drives them.”
A Philosophy Of Real-Life Safety
For over 50 years, 'real-life safety' has been an integral part of the carmaker. Beyond meeting regulations, their accident research experts study real accidents to enhance safety technologies and build vehicles that offer superior on-road protection. Unlike the Euro NCAP frontal impact test, which uses a 1,400 kg trolley with an aluminum honeycomb barrier at 50 kmph, the Mercedes-Benz test involved two actual vehicles: the EQA and EQS SUVs, weighing approximately 2.2 and three tonne respectively. These vehicles collided head-on with a 50% frontal offset at 56 kmph, generating significantly more energy than the standard test.
Gender-Neutral Testing
The EQA and EQS SUVs used in the test were fitted with four adult crash test dummies: one male and three females. Dr Hanna Paul, Head of dummy technology at Mercedes-Benz AG, explained that the brand is leading the industry with the use of female dummies. “We have been using female dummies at Mercedes-Benz for more than 20 years,” she said. “However, they are not human dolls, but measuring instruments. In designing the measuring equipment, the weight and size of the dummy genders are derived from real-life human data, with the female dummy corresponding to female anatomy.”
The use of a fifth percentile female dummy (representing a 150cm tall, 49kg female) and a 50th percentile male dummy (representing a 175cm tall, 78kg male) ensures that the safety systems and crash structures in Mercedes-Benz vehicles are designed for a broad cross-section of occupants. Each high-tech crash test dummy is fitted with numerous sensors, offering up to 150 data points. Analysis of this data after the crash test indicated a low risk of serious to fatal injury. This data, along with the examination of both the EQA and EQS SUVs, demonstrated that the advanced restraint systems and designated crumple zones offer occupants very good protection potential in an impact of this severity.
Integrated Safety Solutions
During the impact, the high-voltage electrical systems in the EQA and EQS SUVs automatically switched off as part of the multi-stage protection system developed for the company’s all-electric vehicles. This system ensures the safety of the lithium-ion battery and all components with a voltage of above 60 volts. Further analysis of this real-world test showed that all safety systems – airbags and seat belt tensioners with belt-force limiters – worked as intended and as shown in numerous computer simulations.
Like all Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the EQA and EQS SUVs are fitted with a suite of active safety features to help avoid an accident in the first instance. In addition to side airbags for rear-seat passengers and knee airbags for the driver, the EQA SUV also boasts Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC and Blind Spot Assist – features that use radar sensors to detect nearby vehicles and adjust vehicle speed to ensure a safe distance. The EQS SUV adds PRE-SAFE, which triggers a host of measures to protect you prior to a collision, and PRE-SAFE Impulse Side, which moves the front seat occupant's upper body towards the center of the vehicle and away from the door when an imminent side impact is detected. For added peace of mind, GUARD 360° anti-theft protection, available as standard for the EQS SUV, provides extra security and helps you locate the vehicle if stolen.
Findings & Effects
The greater mass and higher speed of the tests allowed for a more rigorous evaluation of the vehicles' safety features. Both the EQA and EQS SUVs effectively absorbed the collision energy through carefully engineered deformation pathways. This controlled transfer of energy ensured that the passenger safety cells of both models remained intact, and the doors could still be opened, allowing occupants to exit safely.
With this test, the OEM sets new safety benchmarks and continues to lead the automotive industry in protecting lives, regardless of the drive system. Their commitment to vehicle safety ensures that all their vehicles, electric or otherwise, offer the highest level of protection on the road.
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