The Mercedes-Benz EQB is an all-electric seven-seat SUV

Another day, another all-new electric SUV. But the Mercedes-Benz EQB brings something different to the party: it’s a proper seven-seat family car.

We’ve already seen the Mercedes EQA – an all-electric GLA – and thus the make-up of the EQB is simple to suss out. It’s the more practical Mercedes GLB with its engine ripped out and a load of batteries stuffed in.

It arrives with comparable interior room to a petrol or diesel GLB, too. Which means room for those 5ft 4 and below in its rearmost pair of seats, or up to 1,700 litres of luggage space if you flip the second and third rows down. The middle seats also adjust through 14cm of movement so you can juggle the space around a bit to free up more boot capacity.

Mercedes hasn’t given firm powertrain details yet, but you’ll have a wealth of choice: front or four-wheel drive and various power levels, with up to 66.5kWh of battery capacity and 270bhp of power. The range figure is 260 miles at launch, but we’re promised more in the future. Handy, as we’d imagine each child or small adult you add to its five rear seats will eat away at its ability to cover miles. Better start choosing which kid’s your favourite if you’ve a long distance to cover.

Aesthetically, its roots are obviously the GLB, just with blanked out grilles and much copper detailing. It’s not as bold a statement as the mighty EQS limo, but then nor is it meant to be; this is a car to normalise the use of electric. And hopefully bring a bit less noise and pollution to the school gates…