Electric Cars: The Basics
For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles:
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The Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 e Coupé 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 vehicle 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 PHEVs. The claimed zero-tailpipe emission electric range is 71 km, which again is what we now expect from a PHEV.
Of course, there is a difference between a manufacturers (OEMs) claimed EV range, and the real world 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, services used onboard, passenger load, weather, etc.
In any case, the EV should be able to deliver an electric range close to 60 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 (EV) and improving the electric range.
For shorter motorway commutes, the PHEV can still deliver savings when driven on electric mode. For those individuals keen to combine lower tailpipe emissions (23g CO2/km), along with style and lower driving costs, the CLA PHEV is worth considering. It is also appropriate for company-car drivers, given the savings, compared to the conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) variant.
The 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 240 km/h (electric mode: 140 km/h) and 0-100 km/h in 6.8 seconds. The electric car also benefits from instant torque, which enhances the acceleration of the e-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 (395 L) due to the onboard EV battery.
Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet!
PROS | CONS |
---|---|
An attractive exterior design and high interior quality | Rear seats: limited room for adult passengers |
Good EV range | An expensive PHEV. Cheaper alternatives available |
Low tailpipe emissions (23g CO2/km) | Blind spots (rear view) |
The Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 e Coupé PHEV (credit: Mercedes)
At A Glance | |
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EV Type: | Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) |
Body Type: | Coupé |
Engine: | Petrol/ Electric |
Available In Ireland: | Yes |
Variants (2 Options) |
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Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 e Coupé Progressive Premium (from € 62,045) |
Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 e Coupé AMG Line Premium (from € 64,615) |
EV Battery & Emissions | |
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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: | 23g (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): | 1450 |
Width (mm): | 1999 |
Length (mm): | 4688 |
Wheelbase (mm): | 2729 |
Turning Circle (m): | 11.10 |
Boot capacity (L): | 395 |
CLA 250 e AMG Line Coupé | |
---|---|
EV Battery Capacity: | 15.6 kWh |
Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 71 km |
Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km): | 15.1 |
Fuel Consumption (l/100km): | 1.3 – 0.9 |
Charging: | DC charging not available. On-board charger 7.4 kW AC |
Top Speed: | 240 km/h (electric: 140 km/h) |
0-100 km/h: | 6.8 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: | 4 |
Kerb Weight (kg): | 1,725 |
Colours: | 7 |
NCAP Safety Rating: | Five-Star |
Buying EV Cables: Top 3 Tips
When it comes to electric car charging cables, an astute electric car owner will focus on quality and performance over cheapest price. We at e-zoomed have an excellent range of high quality and high performance electric car charging cables, all priced very competitively! At e-zoomed we offer charging cables from 2m to 50m for single-phase and three-phase EV charging cables as standard.
EV Cables: Top 3 Tips | |
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Never buy cheap: | Not all EV charging cables are the same. It is simply false economy to try and save a few Euro’s on buying a cheaper cable, when in all probability the EV you own is worth over € 30,000! Nor are we suggesting you buy the most expensive. There is always a balance between price and quality, and electric car charging cables are no different. The last thing you need is to have the EV charging cable stop working when you most need it. EV cables on the e-zoomed Electric Living Shop are made from TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane), a higher quality material that is extremely flexible, durable and smooth to touch. |
The shortest length is never the best choice: | A number of customers seek the shortest length (2m EV charging cable) because it is the cheapest. However a 2m EV cable is limited in practicality and usually not a good long-term investment. Most charging destinations (home or public) require an EV charging cable that is longer than 2m. In our experience, most customers buy EV charging cables between 5m and 25m. We recommend at least a 5m charging cable. It is long enough to meet most charging needs, but compact enough to be carried and put away easily! Of course, a number of customers need even longer EV cables. |
A lower technical specification EV charging cable Is never the best choice: | As above, a number of electric car owners seek to buy a 16 amp (single-phase) EV charging cable, instead of a 32 amp (single-phase) EV charging cable. The reason is simple. The 16 amp is marginally cheaper! However, a 16 amp charging cable charges at 3.6kW, a much slower rate to a 32 amp EV charging cable that charges at 7.2 kW. An ampere is the unit for measuring electricity. The accepted standard unit used for measuring how fast an electric current flows is an example of an ampere. The reason why customers in Ireland buy a single-phase EV cable, is because most homes in Ireland are powered by single-phase power supply. Also important to asses is the IP Rating for the EV cable. Not all EV cables have the same IP Rating. Of course, warranty is also important. Most EV cables are sold with a warranty of at least 2 years! |
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