One year ago, my wife and I purchased a 2014 Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive. Having previously shared my initial impressions shortly after buying it, I wanted to provide a one-year update on our experience with this electric vehicle. Our decision to go with the M-benz B-class Electric was a compromise, blending my desire for an electric car with my wife’s preference for a more luxurious vehicle. After careful consideration of all available options, including a (failed) attempt to justify a Tesla Model S, we narrowed our choices down to the Mercedes B-Class Electric and the BMW i3. Ultimately, we chose the Mercedes because my wife prioritized a car with a conventional look, the practicality of a fifth seat, and easy rear passenger access without needing to open the front doors first – a requirement with the BMW i3’s suicide doors.
After a year and 9,700 miles 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 also owned a Prius 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.
Year in Review: M-Benz B-Class Electric Performance
In the past year, our Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric has delivered:
- 9,500 miles driven purely on electric power.
- $1,155 in savings on fuel costs compared to gasoline.
- 3,441 kWh of solar-powered electricity utilized for driving.
- Prevention of 485 gallons of gasoline consumption.
- Elimination of approximately 50 gas station visits.
The following chart summarizes our mileage, savings, and energy consumption:
Charging the M-Benz B-Class Electric: Home and Away
We primarily charge our M-Benz B-Class Electric at home using the standard 110-volt wall charger. Our daily driving is mostly local, with occasional trips to Los Angeles that necessitate charging outside of home. While we did invest in a Level 2 charger, a full electrical panel upgrade is needed for its consistent use. However, the 110-volt charging has proven sufficient to fully recharge the battery overnight for most of our needs. We occasionally use public charging stations, partly to support local charging infrastructure and ensure they are aware of EV drivers willing to pay for charging services.
The Joy of Driving an Electric M-Benz B-Class
The instantaneous torque from the Tesla-engineered drivetrain in our M-Benz B-Class Electric makes it surprisingly more enjoyable to drive than our previous BMW convertible. The fact that we power it with our home solar panels adds to the guilt-free driving experience. Furthermore, the combination of a silent electric motor and Mercedes-Benz’s premium cabin insulation creates an exceptionally quiet ride. This gives a sensation of gliding smoothly over the road, a significant upgrade from the noise and vibrations of traditional gasoline cars. In my experience, the Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive offers excellent value, delivering a premium compact car with a top-tier electric powertrain.
Note: Solar panels on our home’s roof offset our total electricity consumption through net metering, indirectly powering the car.
M-Benz B-Class Electric: Areas for Improvement
Despite our overall satisfaction, there are aspects of the M-Benz B-Class Electric that could be improved. Firstly, efficiency is not a strong point. We observe around 2.8 miles per kWh, equating to approximately 79 MPGe. This is less efficient than many other EVs, which typically achieve over 100 MPGe. This lower efficiency translates to reduced driving range per charge and consequently, a slower effective charging rate. While not usually an issue for overnight home charging, it becomes noticeable when charging on the go, adding about 50% more charging time compared to a more efficient EV like our Nissan Leaf.
For example, a day trip to Santa Monica, about 60 miles from home, left us needing to add roughly 45 miles of range to return. Using a standard Level 2 charger at 6.6 kW/h, the M-Benz B-Class adds about 18.5 miles of range per hour (6.6 kW/h 2.8 mi/kWh). In contrast, the Nissan Leaf gains 28.4 miles per hour (6.6 kW/h 4.3 mi/kWh). This difference resulted in a real-world charging duration of 2.4 hours for the Mercedes versus 1.6 hours for the Leaf – a significant 50% increase in charging time for the M-Benz.
Secondly, the M-Benz B-Class Electric lacks DC fast charging capability. While most of our charging is done at home overnight, the absence of DC fast charging is a drawback, especially considering the car’s technical potential for it. According to PluginCars.com, Mercedes-Benz engineers opted against including a quick charge port to avoid modifying the vehicle’s bodywork and preferred using the existing fuel door. They indicated that quick charging was being considered for future models.
However, omitting fast charging seems like a missed opportunity, as it significantly enhances the usability of an electric car. The ability to regain up to 80% charge in about 30 minutes, a feature we appreciate in our Nissan Leaf, would have been highly beneficial in the B-Class Electric as well.
Final Thoughts on the M-Benz B-Class Electric
Perhaps the strongest testament to our satisfaction with the Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric is my decision to trade our Prius for a Nissan Leaf in August. While the Leaf was a financially sound decision, my choice was also influenced by our positive EV experience with the M-Benz. For our second EV, I prioritized quick charging to facilitate faster charging during longer trips to places like Los Angeles or Santa Barbara. Ultimately, the minor inconvenience of limited range EVs is a trade-off we are willing to accept. We have thoroughly enjoyed driving the M-Benz B-Class Electric, benefiting from the cost savings and, most importantly, eliminating our gasoline consumption.
