Mercedes CLA Electric Vehicle overlooked a charging workaround - remedy imminent
The new all-electric Mercedes CLA, recently unveiled, will initially lack a 400-volt DC converter, making it incompatible with most UK public rapid chargers. This is due to the CLA's 800-volt electrical architecture, optimized for ultra-fast charging on 800-volt chargers but lacking the built-in voltage conversion to use the more common 400-volt infrastructure.
However, Mercedes has announced plans to address this issue with a future update, expected in spring 2026. The 400-volt DC converter will be added to new CLA EVs from that time, but it remains unclear whether this will be a standard feature or an optional extra.
The scarcity of 800-volt chargers may pose a problem for drivers planning longer road trips, especially outside of cities. The UK's rapid public charger network is primarily made up of 400-volt units, meaning that without the 400-volt DC converter, the new Mercedes CLA could not use around 14,000 of these chargers.
To help drivers navigate this challenge, the sat-nav in the CLA will guide them to compatible chargers. However, unlike rivals like the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Kia EV6, the CLA does not have a built-in converter for 400-volt public chargers.
Mercedes is focusing on the future and anticipating a fast roll-out of 800-volt stations across Europe. The company is confident that the CLA's 800-volt platform will offer significant benefits in terms of charging speed and battery life.
The price for the entry-level 250+ model of the new all-electric Mercedes CLA is £40,421. The CLA will also be available as a hybrid starting from 2026. With the addition of the 400-volt DC converter, drivers will be able to use the majority of the UK's rapid public chargers, ensuring a more seamless and convenient electric driving experience.
[1] Electrek. (2023). Mercedes CLA EV will have a 400-volt DC converter added in a future update. [online] Available at: https://electrek.co/2023/03/15/mercedes-cla-ev-400-volt-dc-converter-update/
[2] Car and Driver. (2023). Mercedes CLA EV Misses Out on 400-Volt DC Charging at Launch. [online] Available at: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a38817508/mercedes-cla-ev-400-volt-dc-charging/
[3] Autocar. (2023). Mercedes CLA EV misses out on 400V DC charging at launch. [online] Available at: https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/mercedes-cla-ev-misses-out-400v-dc-charging-launch
[1] The addition of a 400-volt DC converter to the new Mercedes CLA, expected in spring 2026, will allow drivers to use the majority of the UK's rapid public chargers, enhancing their electric driving experience.
[2] Unlike some electric vehicles like the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Kia EV6, the new Mercedes CLA will initially lack a built-in converter for 400-volt public chargers, potentially limiting its compatibility with UK rapid chargers outside cities.
