Mercedes’ New CLA Sedan Is Too Advanced For Its Own Good

When it comes to electric cars, 800V charging is the current high-water mark of fast-charging. It’s the highest voltage and quickest charging you’re going to find, allowing EVs to charge at 350 kW or higher, filling up their battery packs in less time than it takes to get a pizza.

The thing about electric vehicle charging is that you can’t always charge at the fastest rate, so the electronics for charging cars work in a way that means you don’t have to. It’s why you can plug your 350 kW EV into a 50 kW Level 3 plug, or plug your 50 kW EV into a 350 kW plug. It makes charging simple.

Unless, that is, you have a Mercedes-Benz CLA. For some reason, Mercedes-Benz has made the choice that its fast-charging new model is not able to use a 400V station, cutting it off from a massive number of public charging sites.

No Voltage Converter Means Very Limited Charging

Wards Auto spotted the small print on the Mercedes-Benz online car configurator. The CLA EV listing comes with the following note: “Please note that charging at 400V charging stations is not possible, and for this reason, they are not shown in the navigation system.”

In reply to Wards’ question about the missing tech, Benz mentioned the 492-mile WLTP maximum range instead of offering an explanation. 400V charge tech is being phased out, but since installing new cabinets and, in some cases, replacing incoming wiring is expensive, it’s a process that will likely take some time.

While the report covered just three countries in Europe, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, CarBuzz reached out to Mercedes-Benz USA to find out if the tech would be the same for U.S.-spec cars. The answer was that the new CLA would not have 400V charging capability when it arrives in the U.S..

The spokesperson confirmed that 400V DC charging was not possible. The CLA can charge at 320 kW, which is quicker than 400V-capable cars, but comes with some issues. Mainly, the ability to find a charge site and know if it will work until you plug in.

Is This Car Too Advanced For The Network? You Could Say That

The CLA’s 800V electrical system allows for up to 320 kW fast charging, but that charge speed requires an 800V-capable charge station. Many sites still use 400V DC power, because they were constructed before 800V was common or, in some cases, even available. They can normally charge an EV at up to 250 kW, but they won’t be able to charge a CLA at all.

Other automakers deal with this in relatively simple ways. Hyundai and Kia E-GMP cars have an internal converter to make sure they can handle either voltage. Audi and Porsche essentially divide the battery in two, making it like the car is charging a pair of 400V batteries instead of one at 800.

It’s a very strange decision, especially as the electric CLA comes with an NACS charge port, as favored by Tesla’s Supercharger stations. Only the latest V4 Supercharger stations use 800V, which could pose a serious charging issue for owners who need to find a plug. At least until more 800V stations come into service.

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Mercedes-Benz didn’t add a DC-DC converter to the cars, so they will only be able to plug into 800V plugs. How can you tell the difference? Basically, you can’t. The navigation system won’t send you to a charger that’s not compatible, so it won’t lead you astray. But depending on the area, it might not lead you anywhere. Level 1 and Level 2 charging are not affected, so owners won’t have to worry about slow charge options.

Source: Wards Auto