The Mercedes-Benz CLA Coupé 250 e Plug-In Hybrid: The Complete Guide For India

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Electric Cars: The Basics

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For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles:

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The Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 e Coupé PHEV

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Mercedes-Benz, simply known as Mercedes, is a leading global luxury automative manufacturer based in Germany. The company is headquartered in Stuttgart and is famed for its high quality passenger vehicles, to include the Mercedes-Maybach. However, the company is also a leader in manufacturing commercial vehicles, to include the plug-in Mercedes eSprinter commercial EV and the plug-in Mercedes eVito electric van.

Mercedes-Benz EQ is the sub-brand used by the company for its portfolio of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and mild hybrids. The pure electric cars are branded as EQ, while the PHEVs are branded as EQ Power. The mild hybrid vehicles are branded as EQ Boost. The PHEV portfolio includes:

• Mercedes A-Class Hatchback PHEV
• Mercedes A-Class Saloon PHEV
• Mercedes B-Class Hatchback PHEV
• Mercedes E-Class Saloon PHEV
• Mercedes E-Class Estate PHEV
• Mercedes S-Class Saloon PHEV
• Mercedes CLA Coupé PHEV
• Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake PHEV
• Mercedes GLA SUV PHEV
• Mercedes GLC SUV PHEV
• Mercedes GLC Coupé PHEV
• Mercedes GLE SUV PHEV
• Mercedes GLE Coupé PHEV

The Mercedes-Benz CLA premium subcompact car has been manufactured since 2013. The CLA 250e plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) was introduced in 2020. It is available as both a Coupé and Shooting Brake body style. If style is more important than space, then the CLA PHEV will not disappoint, given its sportier coupé exterior styling.

The plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is available in two variants, with the entry level being the CLA 250 e AMG Line Premium. The PHEV has a 15.6 kWh onboard EV battery, which is an average EV battery size for PHEVs. The claimed zero-tailpipe emission electric range is 44 miles, which again is what we now expect from a PHEV.

Of course, there is a difference between a manufacturers (OEMs) claimed EV range, and the real world range. In general, expect to have a shorter available EV range in the real-world, impacted by a number of factors, to include: driving style, traffic and road conditions, services used onboard, passenger load, weather, etc.

In any case, the EV should be able to deliver an electric range close to 40 miles, which is more than sufficient for urban driving. The EV also incorporates different regenerative braking profiles, which assists in improving the efficiency of the electric vehicle (EV) and improving the electric range.

For shorter motorway commutes, the PHEV can still deliver savings when driven on electric mode. For those individuals keen to combine lower tailpipe emissions (23g CO2/km), along with style and lower driving costs, the CLA PHEV is worth considering.

The EV is available only as a front-wheel drive (FWD) and the overall the performance is good. The EV combines an electric motor (75 kW) with a conventional 1.3-litre petrol engine (4-cylinder). Top speed is 149 mph (electric mode: 87 mph) and 0-62 mph in 6.8 seconds. The electric car also benefits from instant torque, which enhances the acceleration of the e-vehicle. The EV delivers 218 bhp and 450 Nm.

The Mercedes PHEV has a high quality interior finish and is technology-filled. The EV incorporates the the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system that used Artificial Intelligence (AI) to predict the drivers behaviour and needs. The EV also includes a 7.0in digital instrument cluster, a 10.25in infotainment screen with DAB radio and sat nav, heated front seats, KEYLESS-GO starting function, touchpad on centre console, Mercedes me Remote Services, ambient lighting (64 colours), smartphone integration including (Apple CarPlay/ Android Auto) and wireless charging. The electric car also incorporates: active brake assist, active lane keeping assist, cruise control with limiter, speed limit assist and attention assist.

The EV has claimed tailpipe emissions up to 23g CO2/km. Again, substantially lower than the emissions of the conventional petrol variant. Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet! The Mercedes-Benz electric car is not available in India.

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PROS	CONS
An attractive exterior design and high interior quality	Rear seats: limited room for adult passengers
Good EV range (up to 44 miles)	An expensive PHEV. Cheaper alternatives available
Low tailpipe emissions (23g CO2/km)	Blind spots (rear view)

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The Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 e Coupé PHEV (credit: Mercedes)

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One of the key advantages of driving an electric vehicle (EV), is that, it is cheaper to drive, compared to conventional internal combustion engine (ICE), petrol and diesel vehicles. For many years, we have witnessed a significant increase in prices at petrol pumps across India. However, this is not an ‘India’ only trend, but a global trend. We can continue to expect an inflation in global petrol and diesel prices for the foreseeable future.

Both, a pure electric car and a plug-in hybrid electric car, offer significant savings on driving costs per mile, when driven on zero-tailpipe emission electric mode. In India, filling a petrol or diesel car can cost anything between Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000. As an example, the very popular Audi Q7 diesel SUV has a fuel capacity of 85 litres. Assuming an average cost per litre of Rs 90, the cost of filling a full tank will be up to Rs 7,650!

In comparison, the all-electric Audi e-tron SUV , which is now available in India, and a similar size to the Audi Q7, can be fully recharged for less than Rs 1,000. Put another way, charging the Audi electric SUV, can save up to 85% compared to filling a full tank of fuel (in India, the average cost for residential electricity is between Rs 5 to Rs 10 per kWh).

At an average one can expect a cost per km of Rs 1 for a zero-emission EV, while for an equivalent petrol or diesel vehicle, the cost per km could be up to Rs 7 per km. The annual cost savings achieved by switching to electric driving is significant! The sooner you switch to green cars, the sooner you can start saving money. That is simply the bottom-line!

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At A Glance
EV Type:	Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)
Vehicle Type:	Coupé
Engine:	Petrol-Electric
Available In India:	No

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Variants (2 Option)
CLA 250 e
CLA 250 e AMG Line Premium

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EV Battery & Emissions
EV Battery Type:	Lithium-ion
EV Battery Capacity:	Available in one battery size: 15.6 kWh
Charging:	DC charging not available. On-board charger 7.4 kW AC
Charge Port:	Type 2
EV Cable Type:	Type 2
Tailpipe Emissions:	23g (CO2/km)
Warranty:	6 years or 62,000 miles

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Charging Times (Overview)
Slow charging AC (3 kW – 3.6 kW):	6 – 12 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SOC)
Fast charging AC (7 kW – 22 kW):	3 – 8 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Rapid charging AC (43 kW):	0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Rapid charging DC (50 kW+):	0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Ultra rapid charging DC (150 kW+):	0-80% : 20 mins to 40 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Tesla Supercharger (120 kW – 250 kW):	0-80%: up to 25 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)

• Note 1: SoC: state of charge

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Dimensions
Height (mm):	1450
Width (mm):	1999
Length (mm):	4688
Wheelbase (mm):	2729
Turning Circle (m):	11.10
Boot capacity (L):	395

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CLA 250 e AMG Line Coupé
EV Battery Capacity:	15.6 kWh
Pure Electric Range (WLTP):	43 – 44 miles
Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km):	15.1
Fuel Consumption (MPG):	282.5
Charging:	DC charging not available. On-board charger 7.4 kW AC
Top Speed:	149 mph (electric: 87)
0-62 mph:	6.8 seconds
Drive:	Front-wheel drive (FWD)
Electric Motor (kW):	75 kW
Max Power (hp):	218 (system output)
Torque (Nm):	450 (system output)
Transmission:	Automatic
Seats:	5
Doors:	4
Kerb Weight (kg):	1,725
Colours:	7
NCAP Safety Rating:	Five-Star

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Air Quality: The Basics

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It does not matter where in India one lives, no one can escape the increased level of air pollution engulfing our villages, towns and cities, across the country. However, this is not unique to India.

Air pollution has been documented globally as one of the key issues in increased mortality rates, in particular, for those that are most vulnerable: the children and the aged. Increased air pollution has been linked to increases in premature deaths, higher rates of cancer, heart attacks, stroke and lung diseases.   

In India, air quality worsens closer to more densely populated urban centres, the 1st, 2^nd and 3^rd tier cities. Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bengaluru are just some of the examples of cities with dangerous levels of toxic air pollution or poor air quality. In fact, air pollution levels have been so high in India in the recent years, that it has captured the attention of the world media. 

Many factors affect the level of air pollution, but one that is significant, is the pollution released from road transportation, commonly referred to as ‘emissions’ or tailpipe emissions. For the majority of the globe, to include, India, emissions from petrol and diesel vehicles contribute more than 30% to air pollution. This is an average, and certainly, in more populated cities like Delhi and Mumbai, the level of toxic contribution from vehicle exhausts will be even higher. The other major contributor to air pollution is energy production and consumptions (fossil fuels).  

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So, what is air pollution?

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• Air pollution is the release of pollutants in our atmosphere that have a negative impact on the health of individuals and the environment as a whole. 

• The majority of pollutants are invisible. The are minutely small particles (finely divided solids) or gases that cannot be seen with the naked eye. These extremely small solid or liquid particles are also called particulates. Examples are: fumes, smoke, dust and soot. The majority of these particulates are less than 10 micrometres.    

• Air pollution can affect the environment both outdoors and indoors. There are a number of different types of pollutants, but the most well known are particulate matter, carbon dioxide, methane, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide.  

• Both carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NO2), contribute to smog formation, very common in the winter months. Sulphur dioxide (SO2) contributes to haze and also acid rain formation. Particulate matters also contributes to haze and acid rain. All the above negatively impact health by increasing irritation of breathing passages, aggravation of asthma and irregular heartbeat. 

• Pollutants like carbon dioxide have a far reaching consequence on our lives. It is not only air pollution that it impacts, but as being a major source of greenhouse gas, CO2 has a long-term and detrimental impact on our environment and ecosystem. More commonly refereed to as ‘climate change’.

• Most of us know in India are familiar with PM 2.5 (fine particulate matter). These are tiny particles or droplets that are two and one half microns or less in width. A micron is a unit of measurement of length equal to one millionth of a metre. An increase in levels of PM 2.5 concentrations result in an increase in unhealthy air quality, haze etc. Vehicle exhausts are a major contributor to higher levels of PM 2.5 in the air.    

• Though measures like reducing traffic (odd-even system in Delhi), wearing air masks etc. can help reduce the impact of pollution, the reduction is not far-reaching. Zero-emission road transportation i.e. electric cars, are a panacea for a sustained and comprehensive improvement in air quality. The sooner, we in India, migrate to electric vehicles, the sooner can we start to improve our local air quality.  

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