Mercedes-Benz has announced production of the B-Class Electric Drive will end later this year in order to make way for its new ‘EQ’ line of electric cars.
The B-Class Electric Drive, which is the only B-Class variant sold in America, was first introduced in December of 2013. Mercedes has managed to move just 3,651 of the electric hatchbacks since then, making it an easy candidate for the chopping block as it looks to roll out a newer, more up-to-date line of EVs.
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With just 87 miles of range and a relatively steep $40,895 pricetag, the B250e no longer has what it takes to be competitive in the EV arena. The next-gen line of EVs from Mercedes, which will wear the ‘EQ’ sub-brand badge announced by Daimler last year, should be better suited to take it to the likes of Tesla and also EVs from fellow German brands like Audi.
Production of the B-Class Electric Drive will continue at Mercedes’ plant in Rastatt, Germany until the third-quarter of this year, at which point the plant will be shut down and retooled to produce the next-generation of Mercedes compact cars. The gasoline and diesel versions of the B-Class will remain in production, the former of which is sold in Canada but not in the U.S.
[Source: Automotive News]
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