Mercedes B250e electric MPV (video)

Mercedes has a fully electric version of the B Class – the Mercedes B250e. Robert Llewellyn (of the YouTube series Fully Charged) was very impressed – except, “... no rapid charge ability … can be charged on a 13 Amp plug ... or it can use a wall mounted car charger, but only up to 16 Amps … it takes at the minimum, 4 to 5 hours to charge it.” So, like the owner of the test car, don’t plan on any long journeys.



Autocar staff had a look & were impressed too: “In terms of all-round refinement & pace, the electric B-Class is far better than its internal combustion engine sister cars.” No surprise to anyone who has driven an electric vehicle, but interesting to see in the mainstream motoring press.
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/mercedes-benz/b-class-electric-drive / Mercedes-Benz basedall-electric vehicle existing B-class Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive pure electric version newly facelifted B-Class all-new architecture electric vehicle EV based on standard production car minimum of amount engineering changes taking inspiration original A-and B-Class models new-generation car sandwich version rear half car’s platform Energy Space Mercedes underfloor space EV lithium-ion battery pack space natural gas-powered version B-Class spacious mainstream versions 500-litre boot generous head and legroom option fold-forward front passenger seat loads over two metres long electric drive system sourced from Tesla production car launched press Daimler disposed four per cent stake in Tesla B-Class Electric Drive three-mode operation Economy Plus constant steady-speed journeys reduces output motor 83bhp top speed 68mph Economy reduces output 132bhp Sport 179bhp Economy modes overridden full power and torque accessed driver kickdown function Collision Prevent Assist Plus system optional extra B-Class radar-assisted recuperative braking system regenerative braking system information from the radar state traffic ahead car battery-charging braking slow itself road ahead clear downhill switch sailing mode battery power fully recharging B-Class 16-amp home wall socket take around nine hours battery empty 400-volt three-phase electricity supply more common Asia Europe recharged three hours all-round refinement and pace electric B-Class far better than internal combustion engine sister cars car’s effortless torque near-silent progress category of its own refinement luxury models effortless overtaking ability most disorientating motoring excellence humble-looking baby MPV steering response ride quality electric B-Class markedly better petrol-powered B 200 handy size well-packaged nicely finished inside tablet-sized screen dashboard ideally placed graphics presentation of Mercedes-Benz sat-nav system first rate two trim levels Sport Electric Art entry-level Sport models 17in alloys climate control cruise control reversing camera smartphone integration Electric Art luxury leather velour interior bigger alloys dual-zone climate control delightful car to drive genuinely enjoyable satisfying downside limited range electric B-Class industrial three-phase electricity lengthy recharge time recharge battery overnight daily mileage less than 100 miles price government grant B 220 diesel with automatic transmission truly green MPV Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive /