Mercedes’ Tesla Model 3 Rival, The 2026 C-Class EV Caught Testing For First Time

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As we know, Mercedes is working hard on its all-electric lineup. While it initially began with the high-end EQS, an all-electric counterpart to the S-Class, the company is now gearing up for the launch of its more budget-friendly EVs. This marks the first occasion we’ve seen the electric equivalent of the C-Class undergoing testing on public roads.

Positioned to rival the Tesla Model 3, BMW i4, and Polestar 2, Mercedes has not disclosed the vehicle’s name yet. Based on the brand’s existing naming convention, the electric version of the C-Class would typically be named EQC. However, a report from a German business publication earlier this year indicated that Mercedes might completely phase out the EQ badge by the end of 2024, without specifying the new designation for their electric models.

Regardless of the name, these spy shots of the electric C-Class-sized model follow the publication of similar photos of an electric CLA. It was spotted in May, and featured a sleeker roofline, that made it look like a four-door coupe. Meanwhile, the C-Class EV has a higher roof that makes it look more a little less stylish, but a bit more practical.

Read: Electric Mercedes-Benz C-Class Equivalent Coming In 2024 As A Tesla Model 3 Fighter

Earlier reports suggest that the model will not be based on the EVA platform, like the EQS or EQE. Neither will it be based on the MRA II platform, like the internal combustion engine powered C-Class or the EQC SUV.

Instead, it will be based on a new MMA (Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture) platform that is set to be unveiled in 2024. Billed as the basis for its “Entry Luxury” family of compact vehicles, the brand suggests that it is well enough designed to underpin larger models, too. Although it will be compatible with internal combustion engines, it is an electric-first platform.

The new platform, along with all the vehicles built upon it, will incorporate technology initially introduced in the the EQXX. While not designed as a production vehicle itself, the prototype served as a testing ground for long-range EV technology. We anticipate that this advanced technology will enable the upcoming electric C-Class to achieve a driving range that exceeds the 300-mile mark.

Expected to be revealed in late 2024, the C-Class EV or EQC sedan is likely to go on sale either toward the end of the same year or early 2025, with North America potentially receiving it in 2025 as a 2026 model year offering.