GLC EV cuts life cycle emissions by two-thirds, according to Mercedes

The electric GLC from Mercedes-Benz drastically reduces emissions throughout its life cycle, with audited data comparing it to the combustion-engine GLC.

The new electric Mercedes-Benz GLC emerges with an ambitious promise: to drastically reduce emissions at all stages of the vehicle's life, with audited data comparing it to the fuel-powered GLC. The German manufacturer claims that the EV manages to cut two-thirds of the CO2 throughout its life cycle.

How the GLC EV reduces emissions

• Steel accounts for 42.3% of the car's total weight, using low-CO2 steel, green hydrogen, and renewable energy, including steel produced in electric arc furnaces.
• The manufacturing of the battery cells brings a 40% reduction in emissions; added to renewable energy in production, the pack avoids about 3.1 t of CO2 per vehicle;
• Aluminum, with higher recycled content and green energy, additionally avoids 1.1 t of CO2.
• Recycled materials are present in most of the EV: the frunk tube uses 50% post-consumer materials; anchor points are made from recycled bumpers; new parts use recycled components; 35% of thermoplastics are reused.
• The battery has a recovery rate of over 90% at the end of its life, with possibilities for use in energy storage and the existence of its own recycling plant for new production.

Emissions throughout life: manufacturing and use

• Vehicle manufacturing reduces emissions by 23%, going from 19.2 t to 14.8 t.
• During use, electricity consumption is considered based on the EU electricity mix; with this reference, the total CO2 cycle is 24.5 t; with 100% hydropower, this total would drop to 15.3 t.
• For comparison with the previous model, the combustion-powered GLK generated 8.1 t of CO2 in manufacturing but totaled 67.2 t over its life cycle.

The manufacturer describes the GLC 400 4Matic EV as a holistic evolution, focusing on reducing the impact at the factory and offering even greater gains as electrification advances in the energy mix.

In summary, the lifetime data reinforces that high recycling rates and greener supply chains can change the game for EVs.

Did you like Mercedes' strategies for reducing emissions? Leave your opinion in the comments: do you believe that, with the current energy mix, electric cars already deliver real sustainability gains?