From 47.5°C to -3.7°C: Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV 450 Breaks Record in India’s Toughest Climate Test

• From Rajasthan Heat to Khardungla Chill: Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV 450 4MATIC Sets Guinness World Record for Extreme Temperature Drive

As someone who has spent over a decade following India’s electric mobility journey, I can say with conviction: the adoption of electric vehicles is not just about specifications and subsidies—it’s also about real-world performance.

And Mercedes-Benz India has set an excellent example in this philosophy.

The luxury carmaker’s locally assembled EQS SUV 450 4MATIC has set a new Guinness World Record for the highest temperature change endured by an electric production vehicle.

The SUV made an incredible journey from the scorching sands of Ranao in Rajasthan (47.5°C) to the icy heights of Ladakh’s Khardungla Pass (-3.7°C)—a staggering 51.2°C temperature drop.

And let me tell you: this wasn’t just a publicity stunt.

It was a rigorous, full-scale test of the durability, thermal management and range performance of electric vehicles under some of the harshest conditions in India.

The Route That Redefined Electric Endurance

The journey began in Rajasthan, where we travelled through culturally and climatically diverse cities like Jodhpur, Jaipur, Jammu and Srinagar, crossed the challenging Zojila Pass, and finally conquered Khardung La, one of the highest motorable roads in the world.

What made this journey so significant was not just the distance or the terrain, but the extreme and sudden climate changes, which pose a serious challenge for EV batteries.

In icy conditions, batteries lose charge quickly, while in high temperatures, they are prone to premature failure. Yet, the EQS 450 4MATIC performed brilliantly in both conditions.

Why This Matters: Real-World Implications

Electric vehicles in India often face two major problems: range anxiety and thermal stress, especially in regions with extreme climates. Mercedes-Benz’s success here directly addresses both of these.

The key to this achievement is this SUV’s massive 122kWh lithium-ion battery, which is equipped with an advanced thermal management system. This intelligent setup keeps the battery in the optimum temperature range, ensuring:

• Consistent real-world range

• Fast and efficient charging

• Longer battery lifespan

• Uncompromised performance, even at altitude

The vehicle also features 4MATIC all-wheel drive and Offroad driving mode, which helped it navigate the tricky climbs and uneven terrain of Ladakh with ease.

What This Means for India’s Luxury EV Segment

This record isn’t just an achievement for Mercedes-Benz India—it’s a befitting reply to skeptics who question the readiness of electric vehicles for the varied Indian conditions.

Let’s be honest: if a full-size electric luxury SUV can traverse the furnace-like roads of Rajasthan and then the snow-clad slopes of Ladakh with the same drivetrain and battery technology—it’s a testament to how far electric powertrains have come.

And more importantly, how ready they are for India.

From my perspective as an electric vehicle journalist, this ride sets a benchmark for premium electric mobility.

It signals that luxury electric vehicles aren’t just about quiet cabins and torque-packed acceleration—they’re about real reliability, on roads that only India can give you.

Final Takeaway

This epic journey was executed in collaboration with Hormazd Sorabjee and the Autocar India team, whose rigorous documentation and driving expertise added credibility to the challenge. It’s one thing to dream of such a test; it’s another to pull it off, especially under extreme conditions.

India isn’t a one-climate country.

From deserts to glaciers, our geography is as unpredictable as our roads. For an electric vehicle to conquer that, and do it with elegance, efficiency, and safety, that’s not just engineering.

That’s evolution.

The EQS SUV 450 4MATIC didn’t just drive through India—it proved that electric luxury has the muscle, the brains, and the battery to go the distance.