We believe green living and luxury can go hand-in-hand, without compromising the health of our planet and Tesla is living up to this mantra. This original equipment manufacturer (OEM) has been passionate about electric vehicles since 2003 and continuously sets the standard for the development of electric vehicles, ever since their Roadster hit the highways.
Who can forget the audacious curves of the Tesla Roadster that was featured on the cover of Time magazine back in 2006? That year, Tesla was awarded “Best Transportation Invention” and they haven’t stopped producing luxury cars and equipment for electrical vehicles, since.
The latest state-of-the-art machinery in their repertoire, has come in collaboration with Daimler AG to create the new 2014 Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive that will be available for purchase next month.
Long gone are the days of teeny tiny EVs. This 100% electric car flaunts enough space to comfortably sit five passengers, while being a zero-emissions vehicle. It’s ideal for your city commute, with up to 85-miles per charge. The lithium-ion battery can get enough energy for 60 miles, with a brief two-hour charge.
The Mercedes-Benz B-Class ED goes from 0 to 60 in 7.9 seconds; a bit slower than its competitor Tesla Model S. However, it makes up for it with the 251 lb-ft of torque that guarantees Mercedes-Benz top-notch performance.
The basic B-Class model starts at $41,450 (just $100 more than the locally emission-free BMW i3); which is the fancy way BMW has chosen for saying “pure EV.” The i3 delivers impressive ratings: 138 MPGe city, 111 MPGe hwy and 124 for combined mileage.
However, there’s no reason to feel reproachful, as the beautifully designed i3 can upgrade its range extender to a plugin hybrid—which extends to a 9-liter tank of fuel. At least you’ll have a backup plan, just in case you’re on an adventure far from home, with your battery running low. Likewise, the i3 with range-extender, is rated at 117 MPGe combined and 39 MPG using “gasoline only.”
While the i3 has a bolder design than the Tesla S and the B-Class—which is attractive toward the younger crowd—it simply cannot compete when it comes to space. On the other hand, if you’re commuting to work, it’s a nifty vehicle that will save you parking pains and you’ll have peace of mind knowing you’re taking good care of the environment.
Speaking of parking, the B-Class has an extra; which the BMW competition is lacking. In fact, Tesla’s radar-based regenerative system is a marvel of engineering, and in our opinion, should be available on all vehicles. Yes, you read it right! Mercedes will use Tesla’s EV Power Train in all of its B-Class models. This optional extra is a sensor that watches traffic ahead, through radar, and adapts your brakes to save energy in your trip. This is as intelligent as a car can possibly get and we thank Tesla for its innovative design!
With Tesla’s and Mercedes-Benz’s new collaboration, we can expect great things for the future in the German brand. Their traditional high-quality cars will only become better, as they shift more production into zero-emission vehicles. And now that BMW is looking into pairing with the Tesla as well, we hope to see a brand new line of more efficient, eco-friendly and classy electric vehicles all around.