Electric Cars: The Basics
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The Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 e Shooting Brake PHEV
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
The Mercedes-Benz CLA premium subcompact car has been manufactured since 2013. The CLA 250e plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) was introduced in 2020. It is available as both a Coupé and Shooting Brake body style. If style is more important than space, then the CLA PHEV will not disappoint, given its sportier coupé exterior styling.
The plug-in hybrid electric car is available in two variants, with the entry-level being the CLA 250 e AMG Line Premium. The PHEV has a 15.6 kWh onboard EV battery, which is an average EV battery size for the latest PHEVs. The claimed zero-tailpipe emission electric range is 68 km, which again is what we now expect from a PHEV.
Of course, there is a difference between a manufacturers (OEMs) claimed range and the real-world EV range. In general, expect to have a shorter available EV range in the real-world, impacted by a number of factors, to include: driving style, traffic and road conditions, weather, passenger load, services used onboard, etc.
In any case, the EV should be able to deliver an electric range close to 55 km, which is more than sufficient for urban driving. The EV also incorporates different regenerative braking profiles, which assists in improving the efficiency of the electric vehicle and improving the electric range. The EV does not offer DC fast charging compatibility. It has an onboard 7.4 kW AC charger.
For shorter motorway commutes, the PHEV can still deliver savings when driven on electric mode. Driving on e-mode also benefits the fuel efficiency of the EV. Mercedes claims a fuel economy up to 1.1 l/100km. Like real-world electric range, the real-world fuel economy will be less efficient than manufacturer claimed figures. Nevertheless, if the EV is driven regularly on the pure electric mode, the fuel economy will be better than the conventional combustion engine variant.
The estate EV is available only as a front-wheel drive (FWD) and the overall the performance is good. The EV combines an electric motor (75 kW) with a conventional 1.3-litre petrol engine (4-cylinder). Top speed is 235 km/h (electric mode: 140 km/h) and 0-100 km/h in 6.9 seconds. The electric car also benefits from instant torque, which enhances the acceleration of the vehicle. The EV delivers 218 bhp and 450 Nm.
The Mercedes PHEV has a high quality interior finish and is technology-filled. The EV incorporates the the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system that used Artificial Intelligence (AI) to predict the drivers behaviour and needs.
The EV also includes a 7.0in digital instrument cluster, a 10.25in infotainment screen with DAB radio and sat nav, heated front seats, KEYLESS-GO starting function, touchpad on centre console, Mercedes me Remote Services, ambient lighting (64 colours), smartphone integration including (Apple CarPlay/ Android Auto) and wireless charging.
The electric car also incorporates: active brake assist, active lane keeping assist, cruise control with limiter, speed limit assist and attention assist. Due to the sloping roofline, the rear-view is impacted. Also impacted is the boot space (445 L) due to the onboard EV battery.
So for those individuals keen to combine lower tailpipe emissions (24g CO2/km), along with style and lower driving costs, the CLA PHEV is appropriate. It is also just as appropriate for company-car drivers.
Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet!
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| A stylish electric estate car, with few rivals | Only available as a front-wheel drive (FWD) |
| High quality interior and standard specifications | DC charging not available |
| Decent electric range | Boot space not as large as some rivals |
Gallery
The Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 e Shooting Brake PHEV (credit: Mercedes)
| At A Glance | |
|---|---|
| EV Type: | Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) |
| Body Type: | Estate |
| Engine: | Petrol/ Electric |
| Available In Ireland: | Yes |
| Variants (2 Options) |
|---|
| Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 e Shooting Brake Progressive Premium (from € 62,895) |
| Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 e Shooting Brake AMG Line Premium (from € 65,465) |
| EV Battery & Emissions | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Type: | Lithium-ion |
| EV Battery Capacity: | Available in one battery size: 15.6 kWh |
| Charging: | DC charging not available. On-board charger 7.4 kW AC |
| Charge Port: | Type 2 |
| EV Cable Type: | Type 2 |
| Tailpipe Emissions: | 24g (CO2/km) |
| Battery Warranty: | 6 years or 100,000 km |
| Average Cost Of Residential Charging | |
|---|---|
| Battery net capacity : 8.8 kWh | € 2.10 |
| Battery net capacity : 11.6 kWh | € 2.78 |
| Battery net capacity : 12.0 kWh | € 2.87 |
| Battery net capacity : 13.10 kWh | € 3.14 |
| Battery net capacity : 14.10 kWh | € 3.37 |
- Note 1: The average cost of residential electricity in Ireland varies depending on the region, supplier and type of energy used. An average for Ireland is 23.97 cents/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): | 1453 |
| Width (mm): | 1999 |
| Length (mm): | 4688 |
| Wheelbase (mm): | 2729 |
| Turning Circle (m): | 11 |
| Boot capacity (L): | 445 |
| CLA 250 e AMG Line Shooting Brake | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Capacity: | 15.6 kWh |
| Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 68 km |
| Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km): | 15.4 |
| Fuel Consumption (l/100km): | 1.1 |
| Charging: | DC charging not available. On-board charger 7.4 kW AC |
| Top Speed: | 235 km/h (electric: 140 km/h) |
| 0-100 km/h: | 6.9 seconds |
| Drive: | Front-wheel drive (FWD) |
| Electric Motor (kW): | 75 |
| Max Power (hp): | 218 (system output) |
| Torque (Nm): | 450 (system output) |
| Transmission: | Automatic |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 5 |
| Kerb Weight (kg): | 1,750 |
| Colours: | 7 |
| NCAP Safety Rating: | Five-Star |
Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G): An Introduction
V2G is an innovative bidirectional technology that allows the onboard EV battery to be charged and discharged i.e. electrical energy to be exported/ discharged from the onboard EV battery to the grid via a V2G compatible EV charger. It also allows for vital informational flow (data) to the grid. In effect, the V2G technology allows an EV battery to be used as a grid-connected energy storage unit.
| Benefits: V2G | |
|---|---|
| Lower energy costs: | V2G can lower utility costs to include, lowering wholesale and retail energy costs |
| Improving the grid’s response ability: | V2G can improve the stability of the intra-day supply and demand needs, improving the grids ability to meet the needs of peak demand |
| Improving power quality: | V2G can improve power quality by controlling voltage and power factors |
| Increase resilience: | V2G can improve the resilience of the grid and electricity network in significantly adverse conditions |
| Increase use of renewable energy: | V2G enables an increase in the contribution of renewable energy to the national energy generation mix. The higher the contribution of RE, the greener the power supplied |
| Reduce cost of EV ownership: | V2G can reduce the cost of EV ownership by enabling EV owners to earn from exporting energy to the grid |
| Improves national energy security: | V2G can improve the national energy security of a country by reducing dependence on imported energy |
| Improve environmental impact: | V2G can improve the environmental impact of energy usage and transportation by reducing the dependence on fossil fuels |
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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