autoevolution
 

The Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive Has Entered Production

For some reason, Mercedes-Benz decided that an official press release announcing the start of production for their first ever mass-produced electric car would detract from the event's importance.
Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive 1 photo
Photo: Daimler AG
We had to find out that the first Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive has rolled off the production line from our friends at MB Passion, who informed us that the aforementioned electric MPV is now officially being manufactured in series.

Made alongside its brothers powered by internal combustion engines at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Rastatt, the B-Class Electric Drive will be the first ever B-Class that officially arrives in the United States, as North America only got it via Canada until now.

As some of you already know, the model is the result of a partnership between Daimler and Tesla Motors, which actually supplies the battery for the car.

Developing 177 hp and 340 Nm (252 lb ft) of torque, the electric motor of the car can propel it from naught to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 7.9 seconds, while the Tesla-sourced battery can keep it on the road for approximately 200 km according to European NEDC ratings or 115 miles in US city driving.

The charging time for the battery from a 400 V outlet in Europe is approximately one and a half hours, while in the US it can be charged in under two hours from a 240 V outlet.

Taking all that into account, you must not also forget that the B-Class Electric Drive is still based on a highly-versatile compact MPV, with plenty of interior and cargo space for its up to five passengers. With that being said, the only reason for the model to fail would be a too-high of a starting price, as official pricing is yet to be announced ahead of the car's official sales launch in a few weeks.
If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
About the author: Alex Oagana
Alex Oagana profile photo

Alex handled his first real steering wheel at the age of five (on a field) and started practicing "Scandinavian Flicks" at 14 (on non-public gravel roads). Following his time at the University of Journalism, he landed his first real job at the local franchise of Top Gear magazine a few years before Mircea (Panait). Not long after, Alex entered the New Media realm with the autoevolution.com project.
Full profile

 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories