The Mercedes-Benz G-Class has no fully electric version yet

Mercedes-Benz has not released a battery-electric G-Class. The company has announced plans for an electric version, but as of now, the G-Class lineup consists of traditional gasoline engines and hybrid powertrains. If you are looking at a G-Class today, your options are limited to conventional fuel or plug-in hybrid models.

The delay reflects the engineering challenge of converting the G-Class — a vehicle designed around a body-on-frame structure and known for extreme off-road capability — into a fully electric platform. Mercedes is working on this conversion, but the timeline remains uncertain.

Key Takeaways

  • The G-Class currently comes only with gasoline engines or as a plug-in hybrid; no full battery-electric model exists yet.
  • Mercedes has stated plans to develop an electric G-Class, but no official release date or specifications have been confirmed.
  • The G-Class plug-in hybrid (GLE 580e) offers electric-only driving for short distances while retaining a gasoline engine for longer trips.
  • If a fully electric G-Class arrives, it will likely cost significantly more than current models and may have different off-road capabilities due to battery weight.

Current G-Class powertrains available today

The G-Class currently offers two main powertrain choices: gasoline engines and a plug-in hybrid option. The standard G 500 uses a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine. The AMG G 63 uses a more powerful version of the same engine. Both deliver traditional performance but produce emissions and consume fuel at rates typical of large luxury SUVs.

The plug-in hybrid option, badged as the GLE 580e in some markets, pairs a gasoline engine with an electric motor and a battery pack. This setup allows the vehicle to run on electric power alone for roughly 30 to 50 miles, depending on driving conditions and battery charge. After the battery depletes, the gasoline engine takes over. This hybrid approach reduces emissions during short urban trips while maintaining the range needed for longer journeys.

What Mercedes has said about an electric G-Class

Mercedes executives have confirmed that an electric G-Class is in development, but the company has released no firm timeline or technical details. The project faces real obstacles: the G-Class is built on a traditional truck-based platform, and converting it to electric would require substantial redesign of the chassis, suspension, and weight distribution.

The battery pack needed to power a vehicle of the G-Class's size and weight would be enormous, adding significant mass. This extra weight affects acceleration, handling, and the vehicle's legendary off-road performance. Mercedes must decide whether to redesign the entire platform or create a new electric SUV that shares the G-Class name but operates on a different mechanical foundation.

How battery weight affects large SUVs

Electric vehicles are heavier than their gasoline counterparts because batteries are dense and heavy. A typical battery pack for a large SUV can weigh 1,000 to 1,500 pounds or more. The G-Class, already a heavy vehicle at over 5,000 pounds, would become significantly heavier as a full electric model.

This weight increase has real consequences. Heavier vehicles require more energy to accelerate and climb hills, which reduces driving range. Off-road performance also changes — the suspension must handle more mass, and the vehicle's center of gravity shifts. Mercedes will need to engineer these systems specifically for an electric G-Class rather than straightforward swapping in a battery pack.

Timeline and what to expect

No official launch date exists for an electric G-Class. Industry reports suggest it could arrive sometime in the mid-to-late 2020s, but this is speculation based on Mercedes's broader electrification roadmap, not a confirmed schedule. The company is prioritizing electric versions of other models first, including the EQE and EQS sedans and the EQE and EQS SUVs.

When an electric G-Class does arrive, expect it to cost more than the current gasoline or hybrid versions. Electric luxury SUVs typically command a premium of $10,000 to $20,000 or more over comparable gasoline models, though this gap narrows as battery costs decline. The vehicle will likely emphasize luxury and technology features rather than off-road capability, since the added weight and battery concerns make extreme terrain use less practical.

Alternatives if you want an electric luxury SUV now

If you want a luxury electric SUV without waiting, Mercedes offers the EQS SUV, a fully electric model that seats five adults and offers driving ranges up to 400 miles on a single charge. The EQS SUV uses a modern electric platform designed from the ground up for battery power, so it avoids the engineering compromises of converting an older design.

Other manufacturers offer electric luxury SUVs as well. The BMW iX, Audi e-tron, and Porsche Cayenne Electric (arriving soon) are all fully electric alternatives. Each has different performance characteristics, range, and pricing. If the G-Class's specific design or brand heritage matters less to you than having an electric vehicle now, these options are available today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a plug-in hybrid G-Class I can buy right now?

Yes. The GLE 580e is Mercedes's plug-in hybrid offering in the large luxury SUV category. It combines a gasoline engine with electric power and can drive on battery alone for short distances. However, this is not a G-Class model — it is a different vehicle in Mercedes's lineup. The G-Class itself does not currently have a plug-in hybrid version.

When will the electric G-Class be released?

Mercedes has not announced an official release date. The company has confirmed the project is underway, but no timeline has been made public. Based on industry patterns, it could arrive in the mid-to-late 2020s, but this is not confirmed.

Will the electric G-Class be able to go off-road like the current model?

That remains unclear. The added weight of a large battery pack will change how the vehicle handles rough terrain. Mercedes may prioritize on-road luxury and performance over extreme off-road capability, or it may engineer specialized suspension to compensate. Details will emerge closer to launch.

How much will an electric G-Class cost?

No pricing has been announced. Based on how other manufacturers price electric luxury SUVs, expect it to cost more than the current gasoline G-Class — likely $10,000 to $20,000 or more above comparable gasoline models, though this depends on battery costs and market conditions at launch.

What is the difference between the G-Class and the EQS SUV?

The G-Class is a traditional truck-based SUV known for off-road capability and a distinctive boxy design. The EQS SUV is a fully electric, car-based SUV designed for on-road performance and luxury. They serve different purposes — the G-Class emphasizes ruggedness, while the EQS emphasizes efficiency and technology.