Electric Cars: The Basics
For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles:
Different Type Of Electric Vehicles (EVs): An Introduction
Electric Cars: The Basics For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles: Sign up to the e-zoomed Electric Living newsletter…
Read More
Electric Cars: Benefits Of Electric Driving: Top 5
Electric Cars: The Basics For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles: Sign up to the e-zoomed Electric Living newsletter…
Read More
What Is Regenerative Braking: The Complete Guide For Ireland
Electric Cars: The Basics For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles: Sign up to the e-zoomed Electric Living newsletter…
Read More
Benefits Of Green Energy: A Guide For Ireland
Electric Cars: The Basics For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles: Sign up to the e-zoomed Electric Living newsletter…
Read More
EV Charging Cables: A Guide For Ireland
Electric Cars: The Basics For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles: Sign up to the e-zoomed Electric Living newsletter…
Read More
How Much Does It Cost To Charge An Electric Car At Home: The Complete Guide For Ireland
Electric Cars: The Basics For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles: Sign up to the e-zoomed Electric Living newsletter…
Read MoreSign up to the e-zoomed Electric Living newsletter
The Mercedes-Benz E Class Estate 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 E Class premium car is currently in its fifth generation. It was first introduced in 2016. The E Class includes both a saloon and estate body type. The E class also includes an estate plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) variant.
The Mercedes E300 de Estate is one of the very few upmarket plug-in hybrid electric estate cars available in the market. The electric vehicle (EV) pairs 2.0-litre (4 cylinder) diesel engine with an electric motor (90 kW), to deliver a combined system output up to 306 HP (700 Nm torque). The EV can achieve 0-100 km/h in 6.0 seconds and has a 235 km/h top speed.
The PHEV has a 13.5 kWh onboard EV battery, with a respectable zero-tailpipe emission range up to 52 km (WLTP certified). Of course, the real-world range will depend on a number of factors (driving profile, weather, road condition etc), and could be much lower than the manufacturer claimed range. Expect the real-world emission-free EV range to be closer to 44 km.
In any case, for shorter distances, driving in cities and towns, the 52 km range is sufficient. Do keep in mind that driving the PHEV on the electric mode will result in zero-tailpipe emissions and cost savings (depending on where and when the EV is charged, the cost per km on electric mode is between 5 cents and 10 cents i.e. far cheaper than using the internal combustion engine (ICE).
The EV has a 7.4 kW onboard charger and can be charged 10% to 100% via a dedicated residential EV charger like Easee One in 90 minutes. Though the PHEV can also be charged using a conventional 3-PIN domestic plug (10% – 100%: 5 hrs), we at e-zoomed discourage the use domestic plugs for charging electric cars. Despite the price tag, the electric car is not compatible for rapid DC charging.
Moreover, using the electric mode, also improves the overall efficiency of the vehicle. Mercedes claims a fuel economy up to 1.3 l/100km for the estate PHEV. Of course, the real-world fuel economy will be less efficient, but far improved compared to the fuel economy of the petrol variant (5.9 l/100km).
As can be expected from Mercedes, the E 300 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 480 litres available is practical.
The EV is also well suited as a company car. Company-car drivers can take advantage of the lower tailpipe emissions of the PHEV (36g CO2/km). Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet!
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Spacious and practical (good boot size: 480 L) | Only available as a diesel plug-in hybrid |
| High quality interior and standard equipment | Limited electric range (52 km) given the price tag |
| Comfortable to drive | Not compatible for DC charging |
Gallery
The Mercedes-Benz E Class Estate 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 E 300 de Plug In Hybrid Estate (from € 79,865) |
| Mercedes-Benz E 300 e Plug In Hybrid Estate (from € 81,970) |
| EV Battery & Emissions | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Type: | Lithium-ion |
| EV Battery Capacity: | Available in one battery size: 13.5 kWh |
| Charging: | DC charging not available. On-board charger 7.4 kW AC (10%-100%: 90 mins) |
| Charge Port: | Type 2 |
| EV Cable Type: | Type 2 |
| Tailpipe Emissions: | 36g (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): | 1476 |
| Width (mm): | 2065 |
| Length (mm): | 4945 |
| Wheelbase (mm): | 2939 |
| Turning Circle (m): | 11.6 |
| Boot capacity (L): | 480 |
| E 300 de AMG Line Edition | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Capacity: | 13.5 kWh |
| Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 52 km |
| Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km): | 16.5 |
| Fuel Consumption (l/100km): | 1.5 – 1.3 |
| Charging: | DC charging not available. On-board charger 7.4 kW AC (10%-100%: 90 mins) |
| Top Speed: | 235 km/h |
| 0-100 km/h: | 6.0 seconds |
| Drive: | Rear-wheel drive (RWD) |
| Electric Motor (kW): | 90 kW |
| Max Power (hp): | 306 (system output) |
| Torque (Nm): | 700 (system output) |
| Transmission: | Automatic |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 5 |
| Kerb Weight (kg): | 2,145 |
| Colours: | 10 |
| NCAP Safety Rating: | Five-Star |
Electric Vehicles (EVs): Jargons
There is no doubt, in that, for those new to electric driving, the terminology can be both daunting and confusing. We have chosen a few jargons to help you get more familiar with electric vehicles (EVs)! We also recommend reading our article ‘Electric Car Jargon Buster‘ for a more comprehensive list of terms.
| Glossary: Electric Vehicles (EVs) | |
|---|---|
| Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV): | What is a BEV? A battery-electric vehicle (BEV) is more commonly referred to as a pure electric car. A BEV is ‘pure’, in that, the vehicle only uses electric power for propulsion i.e. a BEV does not have an internal combustion engine (ICE). It is easy to recognise these zero-tailpipe emission green cars, as these vehicles are silent (except for the artificial noise), and do not have a tailpipe! |
| Frunk: | What is a frunk? Though a frunk is not a new term, its availability is becoming more widespread with the development of electric vehicles (EVs). A frunk is a storage space/ compartment/ trunk in the front of a vehicle, rather than the rear. In the case of pure electric cars, given that these vehicles do not have an onboard internal combustion engine (ICE), there is space for a frunk. It is worth noting that a frunk is usually much smaller than a trunk, and in EVs, a good space for storing the EV cable. |
| Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicles (MHEVs): | What is a MHEV? Mild hybrids use both an internal combustion engine (ICE) and an electric motor. These cars are also known as ‘self-charging hybrids’. The vehicle uses regenerative braking (recuperated electric energy) to improve the fuel efficiency and to reduce tailpipe emissions (CO2 g/km). However, mild hybrids cannot be charged by an external power source, like an EV charger. |
| Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV): | What is a PHEV? Like a MHEV, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) aims to increase the fuel efficiency and reduce tailpipe emissions. However there is much difference between a PHEV and a MHEV. A PHEV has a more powerful electric motor and a larger onboard EV battery. In a PHEV, the electric motor and onboard EV battery are also used to propel the electric vehicle. Moreover, a PHEV battery is charged by using an external power source, like a dedicated EV charger. |
| Regenerative Braking: | What is regenerative braking? Also known as regen braking or brake recuperation, regenerative braking is a process of capturing the wasted energy (during braking) from an electric vehicle, to be reused (recycled). In the case of electric driving, the ‘captured’ energy is reused to increase the pure electric range of the EV. |
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.
Featured Articles
The All-Electric Mercedes-Benz EQE Saloon: The Complete Guide For Ireland
Electric Cars: The Basics For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles: Sign up to the e-zoomed Electric Living newsletter…
Read More
The All-Electric Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV: The Complete Guide For Ireland
Electric Cars: The Basics For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles: Sign up to the e-zoomed Electric Living newsletter…
Read More
The Mercedes-Benz C Class Plug-In Hybrid Saloon: The Complete Guide For Ireland
Electric Cars: The Basics For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles: Sign up to the e-zoomed Electric Living newsletter…
Read More
The All-Electric Mercedes-Benz EQV MPV: The Complete Guide For Ireland
Electric Cars: The Basics For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles: Sign up to the e-zoomed Electric Living newsletter…
Read More
The All-Electric Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV: The Complete Guide For Ireland
Electric Cars: The Basics For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles: Sign up to the e-zoomed Electric Living newsletter…
Read MoreFeatured Products
-
Best-In-Class Home Solar Bundle Offer (440W Trina Solar 8 Panels + Sungrow Hybrid Inverter 3.0 kW): price includes product supply only – free delivery
Original price was: €3,155.95.€3,075.95Current price is: €3,075.95. (Including VAT)Brand:SungrowTrinaSolarCategory:Solar -
Best-In-Class Home Solar Bundle Offer (440W Trina Solar 8 Panels + Sungrow Battery Storage 6.4 kWh + Sungrow Hybrid Inverter 3.0 kW): price includes product supply only – free delivery
Original price was: €6,115.95.€5,999.95Current price is: €5,999.95. (Including VAT)Brand:SungrowTrinaSolarCategory:Solar -
Bundle Offer: Sungrow Home Battery Storage (6.4 kWh) + Sungrow Hybrid Inverter (5 KW/ Single-Phase): price includes product only – Free delivery
Original price was: €4,549.95.€4,050.95Current price is: €4,050.95. (Including VAT)Brand:SungrowCategory:Battery Storage -
Untethered Ohme Home EV Charger (7kW): price includes product only – free delivery
Original price was: €780.95.€685.95Current price is: €685.95. (Including VAT)Brand:OhmeCategory:EV Charging PointsCable:Untethered -
Custom-Made 1-Phase EV Charging Cable Type 2 to Type 2 (2m to 45m, 7.4 kW) – Made In Europe – Free Delivery
€219.95 – €645.95 (Including VAT)Category:EV Charging CablesType:Type 2Length (m):5 m10 m6 m15 m20 m2 m25 m30 m35 m40 m45 m3 m7 m8 m12 m18 m22 mCurrent (amp):32 ampPhase:Single Phase (7.4kW)This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
