Mercedes B-Class Electric Drive – price from £31,950

Mercedes has revealed price and specification details for the new B-Class Electric Drive, available in two trim levels and costing from £31,950 before grant.

With the BMW i3 mopping up EV sales, Mercedes are keen to get their electric competition – the much more traditional Mercedes B-Class Electric Drive – on to the market now it’s gone in to production. So now it’s gone on sale in the UK with prices from £31,950 (or £26,950 after the taxpayer has chipped in £5k).

Mercedes are keen to point out that it’s got Tesla-developed technology for its electric gubbins that makes it the fastest accelerating five-seat electric car in its class – 0-62mph in 7.9 seconds – as well as the most power (180hp) and the greatest range (theoretically 142 miles). It will take nine hours to recharge from a domestic supply

The B-Class ED also comes in a choice of two specs – Sport and Electric Art – with the Sport model getting unique bumper design, 17″ alloys, LED running lights, 7″ central display, Artico trim, Climate, reversing camera and Cruise as standard, as well as a choice of eight colours.

The Electric Art model gets contrasting mirrors and radiator grill, 18″ bi-colour alloys, contrast stitching on the seats, aluminium trim and a choice of Cirrus White or South Seas Blue paintwork.

If you’re up fro spending a bit more than the Sport (£26,950 after grant) or Electric Art (27,245 after grant) Mercedes will offer you an Energy Assist Package which adds adaptive energy recuperation, which uses traffic info and SatNav data from the COMAND to adapt the drivetrain to upcoming conditions, privacy glass, heated windscreen, extra insulation and a ‘Range Plus’ button that unlocks a bit of extra charge if needed.

And actually, as long as you’re not planning on criss-crossing the country and just use your B-Class Electric Drive as a local kiddie runaround, it does seem to offer decent value. For an EV.