The Mercedes-Benz C Class Plug-In Hybrid Estate: The Complete Guide For India

---

• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Instagram

---

Electric Cars: The Basics

---

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

---

Sign up to the newsletter

---

The Mercedes-Benz C Class Estate PHEV

---

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 C-Class Estate PHEV
• Mercedes C-Class Saloon 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 C Class is currently in its fifth generation. It was first introduced in 1993. The Mercedes C Class is also available as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).

Despite the introduction of a number of family PHEVs in the recent past, the number of estate plug-in electric cars on sale is still limited. Therefore, for families and company-car drivers seeking practicality, lower motoring costs and improved environmental credentials, the C Class Estate PHEV is worth consideration.

The latest C Class plug-in electric estate car has much to offer those keen on migrating to lower mission electric driving, but keen on a PHEV as a first step. The C Class PHEV has a 25.4 kWh onboard EV battery, with a claimed zero-tailpipe emission range up to 104 km (WLTP certified). This is certainly impressive and above average compared to the pure electric range on offer from an average PHEV.

Of course, the real-world electric range will depend on a number of factors, to include: driving profile, speed, passenger load, weather and road condition etc. Assuming a 90 km electric range is more realistic and establishes the C Class PHEV as class-leading.

The plug-in hybrid can be leveraged for both city and motorway driving. There is significant scope to take advantage of pure electric driving with this PHEV. The EV also benefits from regenerative braking to increase the zero-emission e-range. Do keep in mind that driving the PHEV on the electric mode will result in lower tailpipe emissions and cost savings.

Also impressive is the reduced tailpipe emissions of the C Class plug-in hybrid (13g CO2/km). Of course, when the PHEV is driven on the pure electric mode, the tailpipe emissions are zero!

Mercedes claims a fuel economy up to 0.5 l/100km. Like real-world electric range, the real-world fuel economy will be impacted by a number of factors. Nevertheless, the EV offers class-leading efficiency. The key is to use the e-mode on a regular basis. The more the usage, the better!

The EV has a 11 kW (3 phase) onboard charger. As most homes in the India are limited to single-phase power supply, taking advantage of the 3-phase onboard charger will be a challenge for home charging. Having said that, charging the electric car via a dedicated residential EV charger, should have the EV fully charged in 3 hours 30 minutes. Of course, there is an opportunity to take advantage of 3-phase workplace charging.

The rear-wheel drive Mercedes C Class plug-in hybrid pairs a 2.0-litre (4 cylinder) combustion petrol engine with an electric motor (95 kW). The 9-speed automatic transmission C300e PHEV delivers a combined system output up to 313 hp (550 Nm torque). The EV can achieve 0-100 km/h in 6.2 seconds. The petrol plug-in hybrid has a top speed up to 240 km/h.

As can be expected from Mercedes, the C 300e PHEV has a luxurious interior and technology-laden, to include: Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) – controlled via voice or touch input, the innovative infotainment system can over time even predict personal habits thanks to artificial intelligence.

Other standard specifications include, active brake assist, blind spot assist, wireless charging, ambient lighting (staged – 64 colours), KEYLESS-GO starting function and high-resolution multimedia colour display.

The PHEV is spacious and practical for families and can comfortably seat adults in the rear seats (ample legroom and headroom). The boot size is 360 L.

The Mercedes C Class estate PHEV offers a compelling proposition for families and companies keen to migrate to electric driving. Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet!

However, the PHEV is not currently available in India.

---

PROS	CONS
Impressive pure electric range	Cheaper alternatives available
Low tailpipe emissions	Boot space impacted by EV battery
Good fuel efficiency for its class	Exterior styling traditional for some

---

The Mercedes-Benz C Class Estate PHEV (credit: Mercedes)

---

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

---

Variants (1 Option)
Mercedes-Benz C 300 e (from ₹ N/A)

---

EV Battery & Emissions
EV Battery Type:	Lithium-ion
EV Battery Capacity:	Available in one battery size: 25.4 kWh
Charging:	DC charging not available. Onboard charger 11 kW AC (10%-100%: 2 hrs)
Charge Port:	Type 2
EV Cable Type:	Type 2
Tailpipe Emissions:	13g (CO2/km)
Battery Warranty:	6 years or 100,000 km

---

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

---

Dimensions
Height (mm):	1494
Width (mm):	2033
Length (mm):	4755
Wheelbase (mm):	2865
Turning Circle (m):	11.07
Boot capacity (L):	360

---

C 300e
EV Battery Capacity:	25.4 kWh
Pure Electric Range (WLTP):	104 km
Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km):	18.6
Fuel Consumption (l/100km):	0.7 – 0.5
Charging:	DC charging not available. Onboard charger 11 kW AC (10%-100%: 2 hrs)
Top Speed:	240 km/h
0-100 km/h:	6.2 seconds
Drive:	Rear-wheel drive (RWD)
Electric Motor (kW):	95 kW
Max Power (hp):	313 (system output)
Torque (Nm):	550 (system output)
Transmission:	Automatic
Seats:	5
Doors:	5
Kerb Weight (kg):	2,290
Colours:	11
NCAP Safety Rating:	Five-Star

---

Cheap Electric Cars Available In India

---

Ask any expert on electric vehicles (EVs) the key success factors for the rapid adoption of electric driving. Affordability, range and EV charging infrastructure are always identified as key to the successful uptake of EVs, with affordability taking centre stage in the narrative. This holds true for all countries, to include India.

In fact, it can be argued, that for a country like India, with a GDP per capita of less that US$ 2,000, the need for affordable electric cars is even more pronounced. It is true, in that, driving an electric car per mile, is significantly cheaper than driving an internal combustion engine (ICE) petrol or diesel vehicle. However, apart from running and maintenance costs, the purchase cost is also a key determinant in the decision making of a buyer.

Though India has witnessed an increase in activity in the introduction of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), the price tag for the majority of pure electric cars (also known as BEVs), is beyond the reach of most families and businesses in India. As an example, the phenomenally fast (and good looking) Audi RS e-tron GT BEV is priced at Rs 2.05 crores. It is simply only ‘affordable’ for a very small percentage of the consumer base in India.

For the adoption of electric driving to gather momentum in India, the introduction and availability of cheaper electric cars is vital! The availability of EVs priced below Rs 20 lakhs will be instrumental in encouraging buyers to migrate to electric driving. Despite the lack of affordable electric cars in India, there is a glimmer of hope, in that, there are a few affordable pure electric cars currently available in India. We would encourage local and global automotive manufacturers to develop and introduce electric vehicles better suited for the family budget in India. Moreover, the support of government subsidies and grants will also be important in the uptake of EVs in India.

---

EV	Type Of EV	Price
Hyundai Kona Electric	Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV)	Rs 23.79 Lakhs
MG ZS EV	Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV)	Rs 21.49 Lakhs
Tata Tigor EV	Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV)	Rs 11.99 Lakhs
Tata Nexon	Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV)	Rs 14.24 Lakhs

---

While e-zoomed uses reasonable efforts to provide accurate and up-to-date information, some of the information provided is gathered from third parties and has not been independently verified by e-zoomed. While the information from the third party sources is believed to be reliable, no warranty, express or implied, is made by e-zoomed regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of any information. This disclaimer applies to both isolated and aggregate uses of this information.

---

Related articles

---