Overview
Mercedes-Benz, simply known as Mercedes, is a leading global luxury automative manufacturer based in Germany. The company is headquartered in Stuttgart and is famed for its high quality passenger vehicles, to include the Mercedes-Maybach.
However, the company is also a leader in manufacturing commercial vehicles, to include the plug-in Mercedes eSprinter commercial EV and the plug-in Mercedes eVito electric van.
Mercedes-Benz EQ is the sub-brand used by the company for its portfolio of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and mild hybrids. The pure electric cars are branded as EQ, while the PHEVs are branded as EQ Power. The mild hybrid vehicles are branded as EQ Boost. The PHEV portfolio includes:
- Mercedes A-Class Hatchback PHEV
- Mercedes A-Class Saloon PHEV
- Mercedes B-Class Hatchback PHEV
- Mercedes C-Class Saloon PHEV
- Mercedes C-Class Estate PHEV
- Mercedes E-Class Saloon PHEV
- Mercedes E-Class Estate PHEV
- Mercedes S-Class Saloon PHEV
- Mercedes CLA Coupé PHEV
- Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake PHEV
- Mercedes GLA SUV PHEV
- Mercedes GLC SUV PHEV
- Mercedes GLC Coupé PHEV
- Mercedes GLE SUV PHEV
- Mercedes GLE Coupé PHEV
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The Mercedes-Benz C Class PHEV Saloon
The Mercedes-Benz C Class compact premium saloon is currently in its fifth generation. It was first introduced in 1993. Since then, the saloon has gained popularity with company-car drivers. The Mercedes C Class is also available as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).
The latest C Class plug-in electric car has much to offer those keen on migrating to lower mission electric driving, but keen on a PHEV as a first step. The C Class PHEV has a 25.4 kWh onboard EV battery, with a claimed zero-tailpipe emission range up to 68 miles (WLTP certified). This is certainly impressive and above average compared to the pure electric range on offer from an average PHEV.
Of course, the real-world electric range will depend on a number of factors, to include: driving profile, speed, passenger load, weather and road condition etc. Assuming a 60 mile electric range is more realistic and establishes the C Class PHEV as class-leading.
The plug-in hybrid can be leveraged for both city and motorway driving. There is significant scope to take advantage of pure electric driving with this PHEV. The EV also benefits from regenerative braking to increase the zero-emission e-range.
Do keep in mind that driving the PHEV on the electric mode will result in lower tailpipe emissions and cost savings. Depending on where and when the EV is charged, the cost per mile on electric mode is between 5 pence and 10 pence i.e. far cheaper than using the internal combustion engine (ICE).
Also impressive is the reduced tailpipe emissions of the C Class plug-in hybrid (13g CO2/km). Company-car drivers can take advantage of the lower Benefit-in-Kind (BiK-8%) tax rate, given the lower tailpipe emissions. And everyone benefits from reduced local air pollution. Of course, when the PHEV is driven on the pure electric mode, the tailpipe emissions are zero!
Mercedes claims a fuel economy up to a whopping 470.8 mpg. Like real-world electric range, the real-world fuel economy will be impacted by a number of factors. Nevertheless, the EV offers class-leading efficiency. The key is to use the e-mode on a regular basis. The more the usage, the better!
The EV has a 11 kW (3 phase) onboard charger. As most homes in the UK are limited to single-phase power supply, taking advantage of the 3-phase onboard charger will be a challenge for home charging. Having said that, charging the electric car via a dedicated residential EV charger, should have the EV fully charged in 3 hours 30 minutes.
Of course, there is an opportunity to take advantage of 3-phase workplace charging. The EV does not offer DC charging for the UK model. It does so for the European markets. This is indeed disappointing, given the price tag of the premium PHEV!
The rear-wheel drive Mercedes C Class plug-in hybrid pairs a 2.0-litre (4 cylinder) combustion petrol engine with an electric motor (95 kW). The 9-speed automatic transmission C300e PHEV delivers a combined system output up to 313 hp (550 Nm torque). The EV can achieve 0-62 mph in 6.1 seconds. The petrol plug-in hybrid has a top speed up to 152 mph.
As can be expected from Mercedes, the C 300e PHEV has a luxurious interior and technology-laden, to include: Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) – controlled via voice or touch input, the innovative infotainment system can over time even predict personal habits thanks to artificial intelligence.
Other standard specifications include, active brake assist, blind spot assist, wireless charging, ambient lighting (staged – 64 colours), KEYLESS-GO starting function and high-resolution multimedia colour display.
The PHEV is practical for families and can comfortably seat adults in the rear seats (ample legroom and headroom). The boot space for the EV is smaller than the conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) variant, due to the EV battery. Nevertheless, the 315 litres available is practical.
The Mercedes C Class PHEV saloon offers a compelling proposition for families and companies keen to migrate to electric driving! Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet. You can lease electric vehicles at very competitive prices via e-zoomed!
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Impressive pure electric range | DC charging not available for UK models |
| Low tailpipe emissions | Boot space impacted by onboard EV battery |
| Good fuel efficiency for its class | Top trim is expensive |
Gallery
The Mercedes-Benz C Class PHEV Saloon (credit: Mercedes)
| At A Glance | |
|---|---|
| EV Type: | Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) |
| Body Type: | Saloon |
| Plug-In Car Grant (PiCG): | Not Available |
| Engine: | Petrol-Electric |
| Available In UK: | Yes |
| Variants (3 Options) |
|---|
| Mercedes-Benz C 300 e AMG Line Saloon (from £46,310) |
| Mercedes-Benz C 300 e AMG Line Premium Saloon (from £49,060) |
| Mercedes-Benz C 300 e AMG Line Premium Plus Saloon (from £52,510) |
| EV Battery & Emissions | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Type: | Lithium-ion |
| EV Battery Capacity: | Available in one battery size: 25.4 kWh |
| Charging: | DC charging not available. Onboard charger 11 kW AC (10%-100%: 2 hrs) |
| Charge Port: | Type 2 |
| EV Cable Type: | Type 2 |
| Tailpipe Emissions: | 13g (CO2/km) |
| EV Battery Warranty: | 6 years or 62,000 miles |
| Average Cost Of Residential Charging | |
|---|---|
| Battery net capacity : 8.8 kWh | £1.27 |
| Battery net capacity : 11.6 kWh | £1.67 |
| Battery net capacity : 12.0 kWh | £1.73 |
| Battery net capacity : 13.10 kWh | £1.89 |
| Battery net capacity : 14.10 kWh | £2.03 |
- Note 1: The average cost of residential electricity in the UK varies depending on the region, supplier and type of energy used. An average for the UK is 14.40 p/kWh.
- Note 2: Not all EV manufactures make available the data on net EV battery capacity, and in a number of instances the EV battery capacity advertised, does not state if it is gross or net capacity. In general, usable EV battery capacity is between 85% to 95% of the gross available capacity.
| Charging Times (Overview) | |
|---|---|
| Slow charging AC (3 kW – 3.6 kW): | 6 – 12 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SOC) |
| Fast charging AC (7 kW – 22 kW): | 3 – 8 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
| Rapid charging AC (43 kW): | 0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
- Note 1: SoC: state of charge
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Height (mm): | 1442 |
| Width (mm): | 2033 |
| Length (mm): | 4751 |
| Wheelbase (mm): | 2865 |
| Turning Circle (m): | 11.07 |
| Boot capacity (L): | 315 |
| C 300e | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Capacity: | 25.4 kWh |
| Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 68.97 miles |
| Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km): | 17.9 |
| Fuel Consumption (MPG): | 470.8 |
| Charging: | DC charging not available. Onboard charger 11 kW AC (10%-100%: 2 hrs) |
| Top Speed: | 152 mph |
| 0-62 mph: | 6.1 seconds |
| Drive: | Rear-wheel drive (RWD) |
| Electric Motor (kW): | 95 |
| Max Power (hp): | 313 (system output) |
| Torque (Nm): | 550 (system output) |
| Transmission: | Automatic |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 4 |
| Kerb Weight (kg): | 2,080 |
| Colours: | 11 |
| NCAP Safety Rating: | Five-Star |
While e-zoomed uses reasonable efforts to provide accurate and up-to-date information, some of the information provided is gathered from third parties and has not been independently verified by e-zoomed. While the information from the third party sources is believed to be reliable, no warranty, express or implied, is made by e-zoomed regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of any information. This disclaimer applies to both isolated and aggregate uses of this information.
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