Mercedes-Benz gains ground in the electric vehicle market in the first quarter of 2026

Mercedes-Benz achieved a solid rebound in sales of battery electric vehicles in the first quarter of 2026, thanks largely to the momentum generated by the strong reception of the new CLA. According to the data released by the company, sales of vehicles with fully electric powertrains grew by 11 percent compared with the same period of the previous year, reaching a total of 50,400 units.

This result puts the German brand back on track, after its EQ family models failed to meet expectations in previous quarters.

In 2025, Mercedes-Benz delivered 197,300 electric vehicles, 4 percent fewer than in 2024. The decline was especially pronounced in the passenger car segment and could not be fully offset by growth in electric vans. However, the trend turned positive at the end of 2025, coinciding with the launch of the brand’s new generation of electric models, and this improvement has been consolidated in 2026.

Mercedes-Benz’s change of direction with its new generation of electric vehicles

Already in the fourth quarter of 2025, sales rose 3 percent year on year and 18 percent compared with the previous quarter. This positive momentum continued in the first months of 2026, driven mainly by the new CLA. In Europe, sales of Mercedes-Benz electric passenger cars grew by 34 percent, while in Germany the increase was even greater, at 36 percent. Globally, deliveries of Mercedes-Benz electric passenger cars rose 9 percent, to 44,300 units.

The current strong momentum at Mercedes-Benz is clearly reflected in the fact that demand for the CLA is so high that the Rastatt plant has to run at full capacity on three shifts. At the Bremen factory, the new electric GLC is also being produced on three shifts, including additional Saturday work. According to the company, the new electric GLC generated more orders in the first three months than any other electric vehicle in the brand’s history. The German firm also expects an additional boost to sales of its electric models with the imminent arrival of the new C-Class.

Electric vans from Mercedes-Benz, on the other hand, showed even stronger growth, rising 29 percent to 6,100 units. Mercedes-Benz has high expectations for the new VLE, a model which the company believes will redefine the segment of vans for private use by combining space, comfort and an unrivalled digital experience, opening up new growth opportunities.

In total, the 44,300 electric passenger cars and 6,100 vans add up to the group’s 50,400 fully electric vehicle deliveries in the first quarter, representing around 10 percent of the 499,700 vehicles sold by Mercedes-Benz with any type of powertrain.