Plug-in E-class
Hybrid Mercedes E 350 e driven on UK roads for first time
FOR two decades now, if you were given an executive saloon as a company car it would have almost certainly had a diesel engine. The market has been skewed toward the black pump for economy and CO2 savings, but now there’s a breed of petrol plug-ins entering the fray. And we’re testing the Mercedes E 350 e for the first time in the UK.
Like the BMW 530e we drove a few weeks ago (Issue 1,470), this is the first plug-in E-class. The previous-generation dieselelectric E 300 BLUETEC couldn’t be charged from a socket, so only claimed 67mpg.
The E 350 e claims 134mpg and 57g/km, which is slightly down on the BMW but is still impressive. As a result it has an 11 per cent Benefit in Kind (BIK) rating. The BMW is cheaper to tax, falling in the nine per cent bracket.
Mercedes claims a fully charged E 350 e can do 21 miles on its battery alone, and although we found that to be more like 15 miles in the real world, it’s still a useful amount of pollution-free driving. The 530e manages 10 miles more, and both take around three hours to charge via a standard plug.
The E 350 e also features a 2.0-litre petrol engine, which combined with the electric motor produces 282bhp and 550Nm. That pulling power is best off the line, where the car glides quickly and quietly up to speed.
Push down on the throttle and the petrol engine will kick in to offer extra pace, but it’s not as refined as you might hope; a drone accompanies every overtake. Above 60mph, the motors have less effect and the car can’t accelerate as swiftly.
Once the battery is drained you’ll struggle to better 35mpg, which is about 10mpg worse than a similar diesel. Keep it topped up and only use it for shorter journeys and that will improve considerably. Toggling between modes will also help preserve the battery. You can prioritise electric running or compromise with a mix of the two, as well.
The E350 e is around 250kg heavier than an E 220 d, which can be felt in bends, where there’s more body movement than regular variants. It’s not as nimble as the BMW, but counters with strong brakes. There’s also a slightly smoother, more composed ride, despite our test model’s 19-inch wheels. The only visual differences are the blue brake calipers, badges and a charging port in the rear bumper. Two trims are available, but even the entry SE car costs more than £45,000.
“Plug-in E-class’s pulling power is best off the line, where car glides quickly and quietly up to speed”