Mercedes-Benz to Phase Out B-Class Electric Drive

Carmaker to turn focus on EQ lineup as it drives into a more high-tech future.

So long Mercedes-Benz B-class Electric Drive.

Your time shinning in the spotlight is over. The German carmaker is retiring its electric car focus to its upcoming EQ lineup.

We can’t say that we didn’t see this one coming. Given all the attention Mercedes has been giving the EQ sub-brand, it was pretty clear that the electric B-class would be wrapping its run soon.

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According to Automotive News, Mercedes will phase out production in the third quarter of this year. The carmaker, however, will continue to produce the gasoline- and diesel-powered versions of the B-class hatchback. The electric B-Class is the only version we get in North America.

To date, Mercedes has sold just 3,651 units since the B-Class Electric Drive went on sale in December 2013. Initial sales were limited to a small number of states that follow zero-emission vehicle mandates. The car never quite made it into Mercedes’ more traditional dealership network.

Based on comments from Mercedes spokesman Rob Moran, the electric B-Class has simply run its course. Moran tells Automotive News that the company focusing more on merging electric drive systems with connectivity and autonomous driving, in a more comprehensive approach to urban mobility.

“Moreover, we are evaluating the production of our new generation of electric vehicles at all of our locations of Mercedes Benz Cars,” says Moran.

All in all, the carmaker is expected to invest more than $11 billion ramping up its electric vehicle offerings by 2020. By 2025, Mercedes officials expect EVs to account for nearly 25 percent of their global sales.