Electric Cars: The Basics
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The Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 e PHEV SUV
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 GLA premium compact SUV was introduced in 2013. It is the smallest SUV offered by the German manufacturer. The GLA PHEV SUV is also available as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) variant. For those keen to make a switch to electric cars, but prefer the first step as a plug-in hybrid, the Mercedes GLA PHEV is certainly an entry-level option to consider.
The electric motor (75 kW) is coupled with a 1.3-litre (4 -cylinder) petrol engine (system output: 218 bhp/ 450 Nm), seamlessly combining the benefits of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. The overall performance of the EV is not shabby. The PHEV has a top speed up to 220 km/h (electric mode: 140 km/h) and can achieve 0-100 km/h in 7.1 seconds. The EV is only available as a front-wheel drive (FWD).
The plug-in compact SUV has a 15.6 kWh onboard EV battery with a WLTP certified zero-emission electric range up to 61 km. Expect a real-world range closer to 50 km, due to a number of factors, to include: driving profile, number of passengers, road conditions, weather and more. In any case, for urban driving and shorter motorway commutes the electric range is sufficient.
Taking advantage of the EV range will also require inculcating a habit of charging the EV on a regular basis, which again is as easy as charging a smart phone. The EV can be charged at home via a dedicated EV charger like the myenergi zappi residential charger.
The EV has a 7.4 kW AC onboard charger. Most homes in Ireland are single-phase (7.4 kW), therefore expect the EV battery to be fully charged in 1 hours and 45 minutes. The PHEV is not capable of DC charging. Not all plug-in electric cars are capable of DC fast charging.
Using a domestic 3-PIN socket will take up to 5 hours 30 mins. However, we at e-zoomed discourage the use of domestic sockets for charging EVs. Mercedes offers a warranty up to 6 years or 100,000 km for the EV battery.
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 PHEV. Of course, the real-world fuel economy will be less efficient, but far improved compared to the fuel economy of the conventional petrol variant (6.7 l/100km).
The compact e-SUV is practical, despite the smaller boot space (445 L), compared to the conventional ICE variant, and is a good all-rounder PHEV. The interior is finished to a high specification and is technology-laden, to include, the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) in car infotainment system.
MBUX can be voice activated, personalised and uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to learn and adapt over time. It is able to predict personal habits, such as navigation for frequently-driven routes, or the radio stations etc. The exterior of the SUV does not disappoint either. Bottom-line, it is an attractive styled crossover SUV.
Electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet!
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| An attractive exterior design and high interior quality | Is not available as a four-wheel drive |
| Respectable EV range (up to 61 km) | Cheaper SUV PHEVs available |
| Decent boot space | Not capable of fast DC charging |
Gallery
The Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 e PHEV SUV (credit: Mercedes)
| At A Glance | |
|---|---|
| EV Type: | Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) |
| Body Type: | SUV |
| Engine: | Petrol/ Electric |
| Available In Ireland: | No |
| Variants (1 Option) |
|---|
| Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 e PHEV (from € N/A) |
| 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 (10% – 100%: 1 hr 45 mins) |
| Charge Port: | Type 2 |
| EV Cable Type: | Type 2 |
| Tailpipe Emissions: | 31g (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): | 1609 |
| Width (mm): | 2020 |
| Length (mm): | 4410 |
| Wheelbase (mm): | 2729 |
| Turning Circle (m): | 11.4 |
| Boot capacity (L): | 445 |
| GLA 250 e Exclusive Edition | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Capacity: | 15.6 kWh |
| Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 61 km |
| Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km): | 16.4 |
| Fuel Consumption (l/100km): | 1.3 |
| Charging: | DC charging not available. On-board charger 7.4 kW AC (10% – 100%: 1 hr 45 mins) |
| Top Speed: | 220 km/h (electric mode: 140 km/h) |
| 0-100 km/h: | 7.1 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): | 1,775 |
| Colours: | 7 |
| NCAP Safety Rating: | Five-Star |
Longest Range Plug-In Hybrid Electric Cars: Top 5
The continued improvement in the development of electric cars is not limited to only pure electric cars, also known as battery-electric vehicles (BEVs). In fact, we have also witnessed improvements for the latest-generation of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). In particular, increased range and lower emissions.
In the list below of longest-range PHEVs, all EVs have a claimed WLTP e-range over 100 km. Leading the pack is the Range Rover Sport Plug-In Hybrid with an emission-free electric range up to 114 km. In regards to tailpipe emissions, Mercedes PHEVs top the list with tailpipe emissions as low as 13g (CO2/km), significantly lower compared to the conventional petrol or diesel variants!
Though historically, plug-in hybrids have played an important role in the migration from conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) petrol and diesel vehicles to all-electric cars, given the significant improvement in the e-range of pure electric cars, the role of PHEVs has reduced in importance. We can expect this trend to continue, as automotive manufacturers focus on developing and delivering pure electric cars. We at e-zoomed expect plug-in hybrid cars to become redundant in due course.
In general, we recommend buying a pure electric car, however, with those with very limited access to EV charging infrastructure and need to drive long distance on a regular basis, to consider a PHEV. Do keep in mind, for most families, day-to-day driving needs are limited to short journeys i.e. school runs, grocery store, gym, work, high street etc. Most of the latest-generation of pure electric cars can meet this need!
| Brand/ Model | Battery Size (kWh) | Electric Range (WLTP) | Tailpipe Emissions (CO2/km) | Body Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz C Class Plug-In Hybrid | 25.4 kWh | 104 km | 13g (CO2/km) | Estate |
| Mercedes-Benz C Class Plug-In Hybrid | 25.4 kWh | 110 km | 13g (CO2/km) | Saloon |
| Mercedes-Benz S Class Plug-In Hybrid | 28.6 kWh | 101 km | 19g (CO2/km) | Saloon |
| Range Rover Sport Plug-In Hybrid | 38.2 kWh | 114 km | 20 – 18g (CO2/km) | SUV |
| Range Rover Plug-In Hybrid | 38.2 kWh | 112 km | 21 – 18g (CO2/km) | SUV |
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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