Mercedes has given us a vision of its future after its VISION EQXX prototype drove across Europe from Sindelfingen in Germany across the Swiss Alps and Northern Italy, to its destination of Cassis on the Côte d'Azur - a distance of more that 1,000 km (621 miles) in everyday traffic, on a single battery charge. 

The journey started in cold and rainy conditions, and was undertaken at regular road speeds, including prolonged fast-lane cruising on the German autobahn and near the speed limit elsewhere. 

The battery's state of charge on arrival was around 15%, amounting to a remaining range of around 87 miles.

The car drove across the Swiss Alps and Northern Italy to its destination on the Côte d'Azur

The long-distance drive was completed with the charging socket sealed and accompanied by an independent expert. 

The VISION EQXX is packed with innovations to increase efficiency, including aerodynamics, lightweight materials and clever software. 

The 100 kWh battery is almost the same capacity as that fitted to the EQS. However, it is 50% smaller physically and is 30% lighter. The electric drive was developed in cooperation with the Mercedes-AMG F1 Team. 

The company says the technology in the VISION EQXX will be deployed in upcoming series-production Mercedes vehicles.

Conditions for the marathon run included freezing rain and warm sunshine