Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive: An EV from the people who brought you the first car

By Stephen Edelstein Published September 20, 2012

Mercedes-Benz is getting into green cars in a big way, and the compact B-Class seems to be its platform of choice. Mercedes already announced that it would bring a natural gas-powered B-Class to the Paris Motor Show, and now it has confirmed that it will show the B-Class Electric Drive was well.

Mercedes has been experimenting with electric cars for some time (including selling a golf cart-like Smart Electric Drive), but the B-Class Electric Drive will be the first production-ready EV to wear the three-pointed star. Early reports said the car would have an electric motor and battery pack from Tesla Motors, but Mercedes has not confirmed this (Mercedes parent Daimler owns a percentage of Tesla).

Recommended Videos

The B-Class Electric Drive will be motivated by a 100kW electric motor with 229 lb-ft of torque and a lithium ion battery pack. Its range is reportedly 124 miles, putting it comfortably ahead of mainstream EVs like the Nissan Leaf (73 miles), but behind the Tesla Model S, even the entry level version (160 miles).

At least two charging options will be available: 230v and 400v. We’ll have to wait for the B-Class Electric Drive’s Paris debut for charging times and performance numbers.

Like the B200 Natural Gas Drive, the B-Class Electric Drive takes full advantage of Mercedes’ new Energy Space modular platform. This design can be reconfigured to package different types of powertrains in the same car. In the case of the electric B-Class, the battery pack is set in the floor in front of the rear axle, preserving interior space.

The redesigned B-Class will be coming to the United States, and the B-Class Electric Drive will make the trip over with the rest of the lineup. When it does arrive, probably during calendar year 2014, it will split the difference between mainstream EVs and the luxurious models from Tesla. As an entry-level Mercedes, the B-Class Electric Drive will offer a more upscale feel than a Leaf or Ford Focus Electric, but won’t reach Tesla’s level of performance or price.

After a somewhat false start with the Smart Electric Drive, Mercedes is planning to offer several EVs under the Electric Drive sub-brand. Joining the B-Class at the Paris Motor Show will be a production version of the SLS AMG Coupe Electric Drive (first shown as a concept a few years ago), and the Smart Brabus Electric Drive, a tuned version of the electric Smart.

Mercedes-Benz can trace its lineage back to the first practical internal combustion vehicle, but if electric cars really are the future, the maker’s of the world’s first car seem ready to change with the times.

Topics

Stephen Edelstein

Contributing Editor

Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…

Cars

If you don’t have a car battery jump starter yet, get this one for only $133

The Avapow W68 car battery jump starter and its accessories.

You won't always need a car battery jump starter, but it's much better to buy one now than to miss it when you need it. You don't have to spend a lot of cash on one too, because there are offers like Walmart's $187 discount for the Avapow W68 car battery jump starter. From its original price of $320, it's all the way down to an affordable $133. We're not sure how much time is remaining for you to be able to take advantage of this bargain though, so you need to complete your purchase right now if you don't want to miss out on the savings.

Why you should buy the Avapow W68 car battery jump starter
There are a few reasons why a car battery loses its charge, including when the car isn't used for a long period of time, the car battery is too old, or you leave power-consuming accessories like the lights or the radio on while the engine is off. Jump-starting a car is an easy process if you have the right tools for it, and the Avapow W68 car battery jump starter has everything that you need. It provides up to 6000A of peak current that's suitable for all 12-volt vehicles -- not just cars but also boats, TVs, tractors, lawnmowers, snowmobiles, and more. It also comes with its own jumper cables with intelligent clamps that will notify you if there are any issues with how you're using them.

Cars

Honda doubles down on ‘holy grail’ of EV batteries

honda solid state battery production first electric suv 3

While some automakers are scaling back their production of electric vehicles, Honda is basking in the glow of a successful launch of its Prologue EV in the U.S., and was recently dubbed “North America’s most committed automaker.”

And now, Japan’s third-largest automaker is showing a similar commitment to making EVs more efficient and affordable, zeroing in on the production of its own in-house solid-state batteries, also known as the ‘holy grail’ of EV batteries.

Cars

If you’ve been planning on buying an EV, now might be the time

Kia EV9 GT-Line Three Quarters

Well, the days of being able to count on a $7,500 rebate on EV purchases may be coming to a close. The federal EV tax credit has long been a way for many customers to justify the purchase of an electric vehicle over a traditional gas-powered one, especially considering the fact that EVs are typically more expensive upfront (though they cost less to maintain and power over time). Many of the most popular EV models have qualified for the credit over the years, including the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y, Kia EV6, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and so on.

With the upcoming change in administration, those days could soon be over. According to a report from Reuters, President-elect Donald Trump's transition team is reportedly planning to kill the EV tax credit -- a move that would likely dissuade many potential buyers from opting for an EV.