Brand new car could be ‘incompatible’ with most UK electric plugs, experts warn

A brand-new luxury electric car may not be able to use most of the UK’s public charging stations after cost-cutting measures, according to experts. Auto Express have confirmed the new Mercedes CLA will not come fitted with a 400-volt DC converter.

The luxury EV, set to launch in the UK later this year, will be fitted with a quicker ​​800-volt EV point. But this could backfire in the UK, which relies mainly on the older 400-volt DV connectors at its rapid charging points. Vehicles fitted with technology for 800-volt chargers must use a converter when plugging into older charging stations.

Without a converter in place, the CLA will be effectively banned from using the majority of the UK’s 14,000 publicly accessible rapid charging points in a potential blow to owners.

Mercedes told the Express: “The focus is on high-power charging infrastructure, and the share of 800-volt DC fast-charging stations in the entire charging network is constantly increasing.”

A disclaimer reads: “Charging at 400V charging stations is not possible, and for this reason, they are not shown in the navigation system.”

There are fears it could mean the vehicle may not be compatible with 50 kW public chargers and many Tesla Superchargers.

Many 800V electric vehicles have onboard chargers that convert the 800V into the 400V.

However, the 800V EV may charge slower than a 400V EV as the vehicle needs to step down its voltage.

Likewise, the overall charging power into the 800V EV is limited by the charger's current.

A series of 800-volt EV chargers is starting to come on stream through Europe but these devices are still limited in the UK.

It’s believed the move was a cost-cutting measure by the German marque, with the Silver Arrows’ new car expected to launch for under £50,000.

Mercedes claims the new CLA will enable fast charging up to 320 kw in line with sports car rivals such as the Audi e-tron GT and Porsche Taycan.

Mercedes has also promised a “remarkably low energy consumption” with the CLA using up just 5.1mi/kWh.

According to the German brand, this will allow the model to achieve an electric range of up to 492 miles, according to WLTP estimates. However, they have confirmed the figures for the final UK spec could slightly vary.

In a statement to the Express, Mercedes UK said: "With a range of up to 492 miles according to WLTP, the all-new CLA with EQ Technology is among the longest-range electric vehicles on the market. Its 800-volt electric architecture means up to 200 miles of range can be added in ten minutes on a 320 kW charger.

"For the new CLA the focus is on high-power charging infrastructure, and the share of 800-volt DC fast-charging stations in the entire charging network is constantly increasing.

"The CLA can also be charged on AC charging stations. Drivers are always directed to the fastest compatible charging stations by the Navigation with Electric Intelligence function."