Formula One world champions Mercedes have reserved a place on the Formula E grid for 2018/19.
Mercedes and Formula E have signed an agreement which gives the German manufacturer an option to join the series' fifth season. The all-electric series plans to expand the grid from 10 teams to 12 for that season, meaning Mercedes will take one of the two new slots, by which point it expects to have single-car races (drivers currently switch from one car to another mid-race).
Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff said: "We have been watching the growth of Formula E with great interest. At the current time, we are looking at all the options available in the future of motor racing, and we are very pleased with an agreement that secures us an opportunity to enter the series in Season 5.
"Electrification will play a major role in the future of the automotive industry. Racing has always been a technology R&D platform for industry and this will make Formula E very relevant in the future."
Mercedes is currently contracted to remain in Formula One until the end of 2020. It has dominated the sport since the introduction of V6 engines in 2014 and is on the cusp of a third successive constructors' championship.
Mercedes would be another coup for Formula E, which has secured Jaguar for the 2016/17 season and has BMW planning to join forces with Andretti for a fully-fledged factory entry for 2018/19. Audi is also involved with the Abt team, while Renault won last season's drivers' and teams' titles.
Formula E boss Alejandro Agag labelled the addition of Mercedes a "major boost" for the series.
"We are delighted to confirm that we have reserved one of our two new entries in Season 5 for MGP. Formula E wants to become the platform where car manufacturers test and develop the technologies that they will then introduce on their road cars.
"Having the chance to include in the future a brand like Mercedes our Championship would be a major boost to achieve that objective. Formula E is becoming an exciting mix of consolidated manufacturers like Renault, Citroen-DS, Audi, Mahindra or Jaguar, and new futuristic brands like Faraday Future, NextEV, or the likes of major component manufacturers like Schaeffler and ZF. Mercedes would be a great addition to that growing line up."