2014 Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive Opens with Sub $34K Net Pricing

Photo by Joni Gray

Taking a notably different approach to electrified luxury than the Cadillac ELR, the 2014 Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive will be more of an entry-lux affair, with pricing that starts at $41,450. Of course, that MSRP is before the government’s still-available $7,500 EV tax incentive, which can lower the vehicle’s starting point to $33,950, and the B-Class will certainly qualify for a host of other state and local incentives, too.

At that point, drivers of the 2014 Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive will benefit from an all-electric propulsion system that serves up 177 hp and 251 lb.-ft. of torque, as well as real-world performance that includes an electronically limited top speed of 100 mph and enough power to roll from 0-60 in 7.9 seconds. The EPA has yet to weigh in on the vehicle’s efficiency performance, but Mercedes is boasting a zero-emissions driving range of about 85 miles, backed by technology that can deliver approximately 60 miles of range from a two-hour, 240-volt charge.

And while folks won’t get quite the full-on luxury experience of the $75,000 ELR, they’ll still benefit from standard equipment like navigation, M-B’s COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST and ATTENTION ASSIST driver-safety technologies, a three-year subscription to the brand’s “mbrace2” telematics service, some nifty 17-inch alloy wheels, and an extensive range of connectivity features that allows owners to access key vehicle systems directly through the Internet. Notable here are functions that let folks pre-heat or pre-cool the B-Class Electric Drive while it’s still plugged in, helping maximize driving range.

Also, while we’re back on the topic of plugs and range, it’s important to remember another notable difference between the 2014 Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive and the Cadillac ELR: While the former is a true full-time EV, the latter offers a shorter, 37-mile all-electric driving range that’s countered by an onboard generator that can deliver gas-powered driving for an additional 300+ miles.

In terms of availability, dealers initially will offer the 2014 Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive this summer in 10 states: California, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont. However, the automaker also notes that: “50-state availability will be announced in 2015.”

See your local Mercedes-Benz dealer for more details.