Connected to a 22 kW wall-box customers can fully charge the DENZA in less than three hours, alternatively standard household power outlets can be used as well.

DENZA was designed around its lithium iron phosphate battery which is solidly framed by a lightweight aluminum case with extrusion profiles. Intended to absorb large amounts of energy, it is located at the safest place in the car—underneath the body.

Framed by a lightweight aluminum case the lithium iron phosphate battery of the DENZA is located underneath the body. Click to enlarge.

Due to a wheel-base matching the Mercedes-Benz E-Class’ level, DENZA offers generous legroom also in the rear compartment and trunk volume of 460 liters (16.2 ft³).

DENZA attained 5 stars at China-NCAP’s crash rating, a first for an electric vehicle, Daimler said. Distributed by an independent dealer network, BDNT’s first DENZA models will hit the market at the end of September. DENZA starts at RMB 369,000 (about US$60,100); central and local subsidies total up to nearly RMB 120,000 (about US$19,500) which can be deducted from the vehicle price right away, while free license plates are available for drivers in cities such as Shanghai and Shenzhen. DENZA also qualifies for a 10% purchase tax exemption.

DENZA is the first car that Daimler has engineered from the bottom up outside of Germany, and it clearly lives up to its promise to be the safest, most reliable and convenient electric vehicle from and for China. Our joint investment of more than 300 million Euros proves that DENZA is both by far the most serious local electric vehicle effort in China, unmatched by any other European competitor, and a key pillar of our electric vehicle strategy in the country.

—Hubertus Troska, member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for China

The production line follows Daimler’s proven production management system. Attention to quality is thereby extended to the complete supply chain and supported by significant investments into the latest technologies.

As an example, through a Coordinate Measuring Machine the precision of which is accurate up to 0.1 mm, the physical and geometrical characteristics of single parts and complete vehicles are assured to be compliant with defined requirements.

Special on and off-the job training for staff—for example by Daimler’s local production joint ventures or specific HV (high voltage) processes and specialists—is used to bolster quality.

It is certainly the right time and place for our DENZA as China undoubtedly has the potential to become the most important electric vehicle market in the future. We have invested in a state-of-the-art production line and base our production mainly on renowned Daimler processes. Throughout the entire production process we focus on quality to assure that our customers are getting the best Chinese electric vehicle.

—Arno Roehringer, COO of BDNT

DENZA is coming to market at the end of September. Click to enlarge.