Mercedes-Benz Australia isn't giving up on unloved PHEV tech after all

Mercedes-Benz says the door isn't closed on more PHEVs in Australia, despite sidestepping them on its core models in recent years.

4 Jun 2024 at 11:03 am

Comments

James Wong

Marketplace Editor

James Wong

Marketplace Editor

Mercedes-Benz has one of the broadest plug-in hybrid (PHEV) portfolios of any brand globally and yet it currently offers very few in Australia – but that could change, says the company’s local communications boss.

Speaking with CarExpert, Mercedes-Benz Australia’s head of media relations Jerry Stamoulis said that while the brand’s current range has sidestepped PHEV tech, that could change moving forward.

“The door is never closed on any product,” Mr Stamoulis said.

“For a period of time it might be, but we talk to our customers, we talk to our agent network and we do listen and act, without a doubt.

“We’re very fortunate that we have a very broad portfolio [globally] and one that we can draw upon whenever we like. Market conditions will dictate what we do.

Rekuperieren statt bremsen: Dank einer verbesserten Rekuperation bietet der neue GLC eine im Vergleich zum Vorgänger signifikant höhere Gesamteffizienz des Hybridsystems: Die Menge der zurückgewonnenen elektrischen Energie ist deutlich gesteigert. Rekuperation gewinnt aus der Bewegungsenergie des Fahrzeugs Strom für den E-Antrieb zurück. Es ist ein ineinandergreifendes Zusammenspiel der Komponenten: Während der Elektromotor beim Beschleunigen elektrische Energie erhält, um mechanische Energie zu erzeugen, wird er im Schubbetrieb und beim Verzögern durch die kinetische Energie des Fahrzeugs mechanisch angetrieben, arbeitet damit als Generator und gewinnt elektrische Energie. Diese wird in die Hochvoltbatterie des Fahrzeugs eingespeist und steht für den Antrieb zur Verfügung.

Recuperate instead of braking: Thanks to improved recuperation, the new GLC offers significantly higher overall efficiency of the hybrid system compared to its predecessor: The amount of recovered electrical energy has increased significantly. Recuperation recovers electricity for the e-drive from the vehicle's kinetic energy. It is based on an interlocking interaction between the components: while the electric motor receives electrical energy during acceleration to generate mechanical energy, it is mechanically driven by the vehicle's kinetic energy on the overrun and during deceleration, thus working as a generator and generating electrical energy. This is fed into the vehicle's high-voltage battery and is available for the drive system. — GLC 300e

“So if there’s a reason to do it, we’ll do it – and the business case needs to stack up,” Mr Stamoulis added.

Mercedes-Benz Australia currently offers performance PHEVs in the form of the AMG C 63 S E Performance, AMG GLC 63 S E Performance and GT 63 S E Performance 4 Door Coupe.

Core models such as the A-Class, C-Class, GLC and GLE all offer more efficiency-focused PHEV options in overseas markets.

Mercedes-Benz Australia recently axed the A 250e PHEV from the local lineup when it released the facelifted range, while it hasn’t brought plug-in hybrid versions of the latest C-Class and GLC despite 300e variants being offered in their predecessors.

In their current generations, there are petrol and diesel PHEV C-Class and GLC models offered in Europe which quote over 100km of WLTP-certified range.

Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse T-Modell, AMG Line, Night Paket; Exterieur: MANUFAKTUR alpingrau uni; Interieur: AMG Line, Nappaleder nevagrau/schwarz, Mittelkonsole in Metall-Mischgewebe silber hell

Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate, AMG line, night package; exterior: MANUFAKTUR alpine grey solid; interior: AMG line, nappa leather neva grey/black, light silver metallic mixed fabric centre console — E 400e Estate

A plug-in GLE was initially promised for the Australian market when the current generation launched a number of years ago, though its launch has never eventuated.

That’s despite the BMW X5 long offering a PHEV option and Audi recently introducing the plug-in Q8 60 TFSI e in Australia. The previous-generation GLE was also offered in Australia in plug-in GLE 500e guise.

While the attention of Australian consumers has been on hybrids and electric vehicles (EVs) in recent years, PHEVs are starting to pick up some pace in the sales race – 4726 plug-in hybrids have been sold to the end of April 2024, up 135.6 per cent on the January-April period in 2023.

That still pales compared to 51,669 hybrids (up 138.2 per cent) and 31,662 EVs (up 32.3 per cent), though looming Australian emissions standards are forcing manufacturers to look into bringing more electrified options including hybrids (ranging from mild- to plug-in), as well as more efficient internal combustion options and pure EVs.

Do you want to see more PHEVs from Mercedes-Benz? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

MORE: Everything Mercedes-Benz