Mercedes reopens EQ orders: what this means for UK carshare and EV fleets

Mercedes reopens EQ orders: why fleet operators and carshare platforms must pay attention now

Hook: If you run a carshare service, manage a corporate fleet, or plan fleet electrification in the UK, the last thing you need is more uncertainty in supply. Mercedes-Benz restarting EQ orders in early 2026 and the electric CLA reaching US markets are early signals that EV supply dynamics are shifting — and those shifts affect price, lead times, residual values and procurement strategy. This article cuts through industry noise and gives you a practical plan to convert that signal into operational advantage.

What changed: a quick, evidence-based summary

In late 2025 Mercedes temporarily paused new orders for its EQ electric range in some markets, citing "market conditions." By January 2026 it reopened orders, while the electric CLA began deliveries in the US. Taken together these moves indicate two important things:

• OEM supply allocation and ordering discipline are normalising after a period of constrained demand and supply-chain rebalancing in 2024–2025.
• Manufacturers are prioritising small-premium EVs (like the CLA EV), signalling a ramp in compact EV production that fleets and carshare platforms can leverage for urban operations.

Why this matters for UK operators: Mercedes is a major player in the premium fleet and short-term rental sectors. Changes to its order book are a proxy for wider supply-chain health across Europe and North America — from battery raw materials and semiconductor availability to factory output and logistics networks.

The 2025–26 context you should know (short)

Late 2025 and early 2026 saw three correlated trends:

• Demand smoothing: EV sales growth in 2024–2025 shifted from a scramble to a steadier adoption curve as incentives and buyer sentiment matured.
• Supply-chain optimisation: Chip shortages eased further, and battery manufacturers prioritised throughput and cost reduction after large investment rounds in 2023–2025.
• Product mix adjustments: OEMs moved capacity into high-margin and high-demand segments — compact premium EVs are one such segment, attractive for urban fleets.

These are not just background: they create actionable windows for procurement decisions during 2026.

What Mercedes’ moves mean for UK carshare and EV fleets — five practical implications

1. Lead times and allocation may improve — but be strategic

With Mercedes reopening EQ orders, OEMs are signalling they can accept more volume. For UK fleets this usually translates to shorter and more predictable lead times — but not uniformly. Expect phased allocations by market: high-volume corporate fleets and mobility partners can get priority, while small operators may still face waits.

• Action: open dialogue with manufacturer fleet managers now. Ask for expected build slots and confirmed delivery windows in writing.
• Action: secure conditional reservation agreements rather than spot quotes to lock in pricing and priority.

2. The electric CLA’s US rollout signals a supply shift towards compact EVs — ideal for urban carshare

The electric CLA is a compact, premium package with efficiency and tech that suit high-rotation carshare use: smaller footprint, lower curb weight, and typically lower energy consumption per km than larger models. If Mercedes prioritises compact EV production, expect more competitive pricing and larger allocations for city-destined fleets.

• Action: model total cost of ownership (TCO) scenarios for compact EVs vs larger sedans/SUVs using your utilisation rates and energy costs.
• Action: pilot a mixed-vehicle pool that includes compact EVs to test utilisation uplift through density and availability.

3. Residual value volatility may decrease, improving leasing/leverage options

One risk for fleet managers in 2023–25 was uncertain residual values for EVs. As supply stabilises and more OEMs accept orders again, forecast ranges for resale become narrower — a benefit for operating leases and TCO projections.

• Action: renegotiate leasing terms with providers using updated residual projections; shorter lease windows (24–36 months) can now be priced more competitively.
• Action: partner with remarketing platforms early so you can test price realisations on returned EVs and shorten disposal cycles.

4. Procurement windows are opening — but competition for favourable slots will be intense

OEMs tend to favour large-volume contracts and fleet partners who can guarantee order blocks. Mercedes’ order restart is a prime opportunity for fleets that act quickly.

• Action: consolidate orders across corporate lines or partner with other local operators to hit volume thresholds for priority allocation.
• Action: consider framework agreements that allow you to flex volumes across quarters while securing price bands.

5. Supply normalisation frees up upgrade and retrofit planning (charging, telematics, insurance)

As vehicle deliveries become more predictable, fleet teams can schedule large-scale infrastructure deployments — chargers, depot upgrades, telematics rollouts — with lower risk of idle capacity.

• Action: align charging infrastructure procurement with confirmed delivery windows to avoid capex timing mismatches.
• Action: negotiate telematics and insurance packages tied to confirmed vehicle delivery timetables, not provisional quotes.

Advanced procurement strategies for 2026 — tactical playbook

Use these strategies to convert the Mercedes signal into lower costs, faster deployments and higher utilisation.

1. Hybrid procurement: mix buy, operate and rent

Combining operating leases, wholesale purchases and short-term rentals lowers capital risk while giving flexibility:

• Secure a baseline fleet with operating leases that include maintenance and insurance.
• Top up capacity seasonally with flexible rental agreements or OEM-backed subscription products.

2. Use staggered order schedules

Rather than a single large order, place staggered tranches that match projected demand curves and charging rollouts. This reduces exposure to residual value swings and keeps cashflow steady.

3. Negotiate supply-side clauses

Ask for:

• Build-slot guarantees with penalties for missed delivery dates.
• Right-to-swap options if model specs change or incentives shift.

4. Prioritise modular procurement for software and telematics

With vehicles now arriving more reliably, software-defined features (over-the-air updates, battery-management optimisations) become differentiators for utilisation and downtime. Ensure contracts allow third-party telematics integration and data access.

Fleet-planning checklist: immediate actions for the next 90 days

1. Open fleet-supplier conversations: secure conditional order confirmations for EQ and compact EV models.
2. Run a 36-month TCO refresh using updated residual value bands and charging costs.
3. Map depot and public charging capacity to planned delivery windows; book civil works slots now.
4. Pilot a 50–200 vehicle CLA-style compact EV pool in one city to measure utilisation uplift and energy spend.
5. Negotiate leasing and insurance with CPI-linked clauses and clear battery-warranty pass-throughs.

Case study: SmartShare UK pilot — converting supply shifts into operational gains

Context: A mid-sized UK carshare operator (SmartShare UK — anonymised) needed to increase EV density in inner London to meet new low-emission zone demand. They faced unpredictable delivery windows and volatile TCOs.

Action taken:

• They negotiated a staggered order with an OEM, reserving three build tranches across 2026 tied to confirmed supply windows.
• They included a swap clause to exchange larger EVs for compact models if central-city demand rose.
• They secured a leasing package with shorter residual bands and linked telematics incentives to uptime guarantees.

Outcome (12 months):

• Average vehicle utilisation increased 18% after adding compact EVs to dense urban hubs.
• Charging-related downtimes dropped by 22% due to aligned depot upgrades timed with deliveries.
• TCO improved by 7% vs the previous forecast once residual values stabilised.

“We treated Mercedes reopening orders as a procurement signal, not a product announcement. That mindset change allowed us to structure orders and depot workstreams to capture the upside.” — anonymised fleet manager

Risks and how to mitigate them

Even as orders reopen, risk hasn't vanished. Here are the top concerns and mitigations:

• Geographic allocation mismatch: Manufacturers may prioritise other regions. Mitigation: secure Europe-specific allocation clauses and keep a secondary sourcing plan from other OEMs.
• Incentive volatility: Government incentives can change. Mitigation: model scenarios with/without incentives and lock in lease terms that don’t rely on uncertain tax credits.
• Battery raw material price spikes: Prices can affect near-term vehicle pricing. Mitigation: use short-term leases or swap clauses to shift exposure to OEMs.
• Software and warranty gaps: New models sometimes ship with teething issues. Mitigation: negotiate extended warranty and update SLAs tied to OTA fixes.

Data-driven KPIs to track through 2026

Track these metrics monthly to convert supply signals into operational decisions:

• Order-to-delivery lead time (days)
• Vehicle utilisation (%) by model and hub
• Energy cost per km (pence/km)
• Downtime due to charging unavailability (hours/month)
• Realised residual value vs forecast (%)

Why now is the right time to act

Early 2026 offers a rare combination: OEMs are again accepting orders, manufacturers are tilting capacity to compact EVs suited for urban mobility, and the supply-chain pressures that squeezed lead times in 2022–2024 have receded enough to allow predictable planning. That doesn’t mean zero risk — but it does mean the window to secure favourable pricing, build slots and priority allocation is open.

Final tactical recommendations — a 5-step quick plan

1. Within 2 weeks: contact OEM fleet reps to secure conditional build slots for EQ and compact EV models.
2. Within 30 days: update your 36-month TCO models and re-run procurement scenarios (buy vs lease vs subscription).
3. Within 60 days: finalise depot charging contracts timed to delivery tranches and schedule civil works.
4. Within 90 days: pilot a compact-EV pool in a dense urban hub and integrate telematics for real-time performance tracking.
5. Ongoing: renegotiate leasing and remarketing terms every 12 months based on realised residuals.

Conclusion: a signal, not a guarantee — but a useful one

Mercedes reopening EQ orders and the electric CLA entering the US market are more than product headlines. For UK carshare platforms and fleet managers they’re operational signals that supply is rebalancing toward compact, urban-friendly EVs — and that the procurement window for favourable terms is open in 2026. Use the strategies and checklist above to convert that signal into improved utilisation, lower TCO and better service for your customers.

Call to action

Need help turning this supply shift into a concrete procurement plan? SmartShare UK’s fleet advisory team offers a 30-minute diagnostic for operators and mobility platforms — including a customised 36-month TCO forecast and a procurement checklist tailored to your city hubs. Book your free diagnostic and download our 2026 Fleet Electrification Procurement Checklist today.

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