One year ago, my wife and I decided to purchase a 2014 Mercedes B Class Electric Drive. Having previously shared my initial impressions shortly after acquiring it, I felt it was time to provide a comprehensive update after a full year of ownership. Our decision to go with the Mercedes B Class Electric was born from a desire to bridge the gap between my wife’s preference for a luxury vehicle and my strong advocacy for electric cars. After thorough research and resisting the allure of a Tesla Model S, we narrowed our choices down to the Mercedes B Class Electric and the BMW i3. Ultimately, the Mercedes B Class won out because my wife prioritized a conventional car design, the inclusion of a fifth seat, and the convenience of traditional rear doors for our children – features not offered by the i3 with its rear-hinged doors.
After 9,700 miles and a year of driving, our satisfaction with the car remains high. It comfortably accommodates our family of five and has seamlessly integrated into our lifestyle. For the first nine months, we maintained a Prius as our second car for longer journeys. However, in August, I reinforced our commitment to electric vehicles by trading in our 2010 Prius for a 2014 Nissan Leaf equipped with quick charging capabilities.
Mercedes B Class: One Year in Numbers
Over the past year with our Mercedes B Class Electric Drive, we have:
- Accumulated 9,500 miles purely on electric power.
- Achieved savings of $1,155 by utilizing electricity instead of gasoline.
- Consumed an additional 3,441 kWh of solar energy to power our driving.
- Prevented the consumption of 485 gallons of gasoline.
- Avoided approximately 50 trips to gas stations.
The following chart visually represents our mileage, savings, energy consumption, and other relevant metrics:
Charging Our Mercedes B Class
Our charging routine primarily revolves around using the standard 110-volt charger at home. Given that most of our driving is local, with occasional trips to Los Angeles that necessitate public charging, this setup generally suffices. While we did invest in a Level 2 charger, its consistent use requires an electrical panel upgrade. However, we’ve found that overnight 110-volt charging adequately replenishes the battery for our daily needs. We do occasionally utilize local public charging stations, partly to support their presence and demonstrate the demand from EV drivers.
The Driving Dynamics of the Mercedes B Class Electric
The immediate torque delivery from the Tesla-engineered drivetrain in our Mercedes B Class Electric significantly enhances the driving experience, making it more engaging than our previous BMW convertible. The fact that we power it using solar panels installed at our home adds a layer of guilt-free enjoyment to every drive. Furthermore, the combination of a whisper-quiet electric motor and the premium sound insulation within the cabin creates an exceptionally serene driving environment. It often feels more akin to gliding or floating above the road rather than traditional driving. In my assessment, the Mercedes B Class Electric Drive offers remarkable value, delivering a taste of premium automotive experience coupled with a high-quality (Tesla) EV powertrain.
Note: The solar panels on our residence contribute to offsetting our total energy consumption through net metering, rather than directly powering the car.
Areas for Improvement in the Mercedes B Class Electric
While our overall experience with the Mercedes B Class has been positive, there are a few aspects that could be improved. Firstly, the vehicle’s efficiency is not optimal, achieving only 2.8 miles per kWh, which translates to approximately 79 MPGe. This figure is lower compared to many other electric vehicles that typically exceed 100 MPGe. This lower efficiency not only means higher energy consumption per mile but also translates to a reduced driving range per charge, consequently impacting charging duration. While this isn’t a daily concern with home charging, it becomes noticeable when relying on public charging infrastructure.
For instance, on a trip to Santa Monica, roughly 60 miles from our home, we arrived with a remaining range of 24 miles. To ensure a return journey, we needed to add about 45 miles of range while charging in Santa Monica. At a standard Level 2 charging rate of 6.6 kW/h, the Mercedes B Class adds approximately 18.5 miles of range per hour (6.6 kW/h multiplied by 2.8 mi/kWh). In contrast, our Nissan Leaf, with a higher efficiency, would gain 28.4 miles of range per hour (6.6 kW/h x 4.3 mi/kWh). This difference resulted in a real-world charging time of 2.4 hours for the Mercedes B Class (45 miles divided by 18.5 miles/hr) compared to just 1.6 hours for the Leaf – a 50% increase in charging time for the Mercedes.
Secondly, the Mercedes B Class Electric lacks DC fast charging capability. While most of our charging occurs at home overnight, the absence of DC fast charging is a notable drawback, especially considering the car’s technical potential for it. According to PluginCars.com, Mercedes engineers opted against including a quick charge port in this generation of the B-Class Electric, citing a preference to maintain the existing fuel door design rather than modifying the bodywork for a larger charging port. They indicated that quick charging was under consideration for future models.
This justification appears somewhat inadequate given the significant enhancement to vehicle usability that DC fast charging provides. The ability to replenish up to 80% of the battery capacity in around 30 minutes, a feature we occasionally utilize in our Nissan Leaf, would have been a valuable addition to the Mercedes B Class Electric.
Final Thoughts on the Mercedes B Class Electric Drive
Perhaps the most telling indicator of our satisfaction with the Mercedes B Class and its minimal disruption to our routines was my decision to trade our Prius for a Nissan Leaf in August. This second EV purchase, facilitated by an attractive deal, was made with a clear understanding of the electric vehicle landscape. While prioritizing quick charging for longer trips to locations like Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, I recognized that accepting the limitations of a range-constrained EV was a trade-off we were comfortable with. Overall, driving the Mercedes B Class Electric has been a rewarding experience, allowing us to save money and, crucially, eliminate our reliance on gasoline.
