Mercedes Adds EQ Power Plug-In Hybrid Tech To A- And B-Class

Mercedes is plugging away on its road to electrification, noting that the plug-in hybrid is a big step on the road to a fully electric future. The automaker has announced new plug-in hybrids under the EQ Power label. The new hybrids include the A 250 e that consumes 1.4-1.5 liters per 100 km.

The combined Co2 emissions of that car are 33-34 g/km, and the combined electrical consumption is 14.8-15 kWh. Mercedes has also announced the A 250 e Saloon with 1.4l/100km and CO2 emissions of 32-33g/km. The combined electrical consumption is 14.7-14.8 kWh/100km.

Another new model is the B 250 e with 1.4-1.6l/100km combined fuel economy, CO2 emissions of 32-26 g/km, and combined electrical consumption of 14.7-15.4 kWh/100km. Mercedes has priced the A 250 e and A 250 e Saloon starting at €36,943.55 and €37,300.55 respectively with orders underway now. B 250 e orders will start a few weeks later.

The new vehicles will use the EQ Power tech from Mercedes with electric operating ranges of 70-75 km per charge. The electric output is 75 kW, and the system output is 160 kW. Torque produced is 450 Nm, and the top speed is 140 km/h electric and 235 km/h total for the A-class Saloon.

Acceleration is 0-100 km/h in 6.6 seconds for the A-Class Saloon. The design of the battery system makes for "hardly any restrictions on the load compartment" according to Mercedes. The powertrain uses a 1.33L four-cylinder engine combined with the electric system to produce 218 hp and 450 Nm of torque. The hybrids can charge at 7.4 kW wall box with AC in 1 hour and 45 minutes from 10 to 100%. On DC chargers they can go from 10 to 80% charge in about 25 minutes.