Mercedes Plug In Hybrid Batteries Grow to Meet Tax Breaks
Mercedes-Benz will increase the battery capacity on its smallest PHEVs. The A 250e and B 250e will soon come with 50 miles electric range.
In keeping with its own U-turn on electrification, and in accordance with fresh regulations to up electric driving range requirements in order to qualify for tax breaks on plug-in hybrids, Mercedes-Benz will increase the battery capacity on its smallest PHEVs. The A 250e and B 250e will soon come with 50 miles electric-only range.
PHEVs have made an uncanny comeback since suddenly shooting back into fashion on the back of the collapse in pure EV demand. European lawmakers were quick to respond, demanding larger batteries for longer electric-only driving range. So, while 250e electric motor output rose from 75 to 80 kW last year, and AC charge capacity more recently upped from 7.4 to 11.0 kWh, the PHEVs will now also get bigger batteries.
Bigger 250 e Batteries Required to Meet 2025 Tax Breaks
Usable traction battery capacity will increase by around 1.5 kWh on both 250e variants. Although not yet confirmed, that should see the current 15.6 kWh up to beyond 17. Which will be enough to meet new 2025 requirements that PHEV vehicles must travel at least 50 miles on purely electric power to qualify for new company car tax breaks.
Expect the new, larger battery A and B Class 250e models to deliver well over that 50-mile electric when they go on sale in the coming months.
Images: Mercedes-Benz