Mercedes-Benz is Partnering With Tesla to Create a Mainstream Electric Vehicle

BARRINGTON, Ill. - May 1, 2013 - PRLog -- Mercedes-Benz has long held a commitment to pioneering advancements in automotive technology — one only has to go to dealerships like Motor Werks of Barrington (http://www.motorwerksmercedes.com/index.htm) to see that. The automaker consistently has an eye toward the future, and that certainly applies to alternative fuels — it was recently announced that Mercedes-Benz is teaming up with Tesla to bring a new electric vehicle to U.S. dealerships in early 2014.

The new B-Class Electric Drive will be the first electric vehicle from Mercedes-Benz to be made available in the U.S. The German automaker created the vehicle’s interior, while the control electronics, electric motors, lithium-ion battery pack, and on-board charging system were the result of collaboration between Mercedes-Benz and Tesla. The B-Class is a subcompact vehicle, and slightly smaller than the C-Class; it’s a hatchback that’s designed to accommodate families and a reasonable amount of cargo, distinguishing it from many other electric vehicles.

Perhaps the most exciting thing about the B-Class Electric Drive is its range: Mercedes-Benz claims that it will be able to travel for up to 115 miles on a single charge, which bests other electric vehicles currently on the market, most of which have a range of less than 100 miles. When using a 240 V power source, the car will be able to regain 60 miles of range in only two hours, and will be capable of achieving a full charge in seven hours.

This isn’t the first time that Mercedes-Benz and Tesla have joined forces to create electric vehicles — the first was called the Smart Electric. They also collaborated on the 740-hp Mercedes-Benz AMG® SLS Electric Drive, a sports car with an electric motor for each wheel; it’s capable of sprinting from 0 to 60 mph in just four seconds. It’s clear that Mercedes-Benz is intent on realizing the potential of electric vehicles.

The team at Motor Werks of Barrington is proud of the technological advancements in Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Chicago area drivers who want to learn more, or who want to take the latest Mercedes-Benz models out for a test drive, should visit their dealership (http://www.motorwerksmercedes.com/dealership/directions.htm) at 1475 S Barrington Rd in Barrington, IL.