The new Mercedes-Benz CLA is not compatible with many of the fast-charging points you may find on the road

The new CLA has been presented by Mercedes-Benz as a turning point in its push for electric mobility, after failing to meet the expected targets in recent years with the EQ range. The truth is that the German manufacturer seems to have done many things right to achieve this change of direction.

Its new electric saloon is based on an 800V architecture, which allows it to minimise the time needed to complete a charge, supporting up to 320 kW of power. Its range is also outstanding, approaching 800 km WLTP in the most efficient versions. And on top of all this, it is, of course, a Mercedes-Benz.

There is, however, an asterisk in its technical specification sheet that may make more than one customer reconsider buying this outstanding vehicle. What are we talking about? You’re probably wondering… Well, after much speculation and some confusion, Mercedes-Benz itself has confirmed that the new electric CLA is not compatible with fast-charging points operating at 400V.

Why is it not the same with other vehicles with an 800V architecture?

The new electric saloon from the German manufacturer is obviously not the first vehicle to reach the market with an 800V architecture. Many other models, such as those from Hyundai or KIA based on the E-GMP platform, or the Porsche Taycan, to name just a few examples, also feature an 800V architecture. However, all of them can make use of 400V charging points, because they integrate a voltage converter that transforms the 400V current delivered by the charging point to the 800V at which the battery pack operates. This conversion usually entails a reduction in performance compared with 400V-architecture vehicles, but at least it makes it possible to use these charging points which, today, are the majority.

Mercedes-Benz, however, has opted with the new CLA for a different path: giving up on integrating that voltage converter in order to reduce costs and improve efficiency. According to the company itself, they took this decision in full awareness and taking into account the consequences that must be faced as a result, prioritising charging performance over the lower availability of compatible charging points.

That is why, according to a spokesperson for Mercedes-Benz, since it is not possible to use 400V fast-charging points, the vehicle’s navigation system will always direct the driver to those charging points operating at 800V, where it will be possible to charge at 320 kW.

The German manufacturer may have moved perhaps too fast

The truth is that this approach by Mercedes-Benz would seem optimal if the availability of 800V charging points were very widespread, but that is not the case, at least for the moment in Europe. When making a journey in the new CLA, the charging options are limited to IONITY charging points, some Fastned points in northern Europe, the Tesla Superchargers but only the V4 ones, as well as a limited number of those from the operators Zunder and Allego.

In short, if on the route you plan you are lucky enough to find some of these chargers, everything will be wonderful, but you may not be able to reach a destination because you do not find 800V chargers along the way. Careful planning of any trip will therefore be even more important than with any other electric vehicle, to avoid last-minute surprises.