Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive goes on sale in Germany
The all-electric B-Class is now available to order in Germany, priced from €39,151 including VAT, with a 132 kW motor and up to 230 km range with options.
Mercedes-Benz has opened orders for the B-Class Electric Drive in Germany, setting a starting price of €39,151 including VAT. The move follows the car’s earlier launch in the United States and brings the electric variant to its home market for the first time.
The B-Class Electric Drive uses a 132 kW (177 hp) electric motor producing 340 Nm of torque, making it one of the more powerful compact EVs in its segment at launch. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is quoted at 7.9 seconds, which puts it ahead of many direct rivals in 2014.
Mercedes-Benz claims a driving range of 200 km on the NEDC cycle. For buyers needing more, the optional Range Plus package, priced at €892.50, extends the claimed range by 30 km, taking it up to 230 km. The lithium-ion battery is mounted under the floor, so interior space and luggage capacity are unchanged from the standard B-Class.
Leasing and purchase options
Alongside outright purchase, Mercedes-Benz is offering the B-Class Electric Drive on a 36-month lease at €399 per month. The contract covers up to 30,000 km, with an upfront payment of €8,473.31. This structure is aimed at private buyers and small businesses looking to manage running costs and depreciation risk as EV technology develops.
Position in the Mercedes-Benz range
The B-Class Electric Drive sits alongside petrol, diesel and natural gas variants in the B-Class line-up. By using the same platform, Mercedes-Benz has avoided the packaging compromises that affected some earlier EVs, aiming for a seamless transition for buyers already familiar with the B-Class. The electric version’s performance figures are competitive with the more powerful combustion models.
The car’s launch in Germany follows its introduction in the US market earlier in 2014, where it was positioned as a premium alternative to compact EVs from other manufacturers. The B-Class Electric Drive’s pricing puts it above mainstream electric hatchbacks but below luxury EVs, reflecting its upmarket positioning.
Electric drive technology and range options
The B-Class Electric Drive’s powertrain is derived from technology developed in partnership with Tesla, although Mercedes-Benz handles the integration and tuning for its own model. Charging times and battery capacity details were not specified in the launch announcement, but the focus is on everyday usability and familiar B-Class practicality.
The Range Plus option, which increases capacity for longer trips, is available at extra cost. This addresses one of the main concerns for potential EV buyers in 2014: range anxiety.
For more on the B-Class Electric Drive’s debut and its relation to other alternative-fuel B-Class models, seeParis Motor Show Live Mercedes Benz B 200 Natural Gas Drive and B Class Electric Drive.
