Mercedes to Debut CLA Model with Lithium Ferrophosphate (LFP) Battery in 2025
Mercedes-Benz is set to launch a new, more affordable electric variant of its CLA model, scheduled for availability by fall 2025. The upcoming CLA will feature a Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery, catering to urban drivers prioritizing efficiency and cost.
The LFP battery offers a usable storage capacity of 58 kWh, making it more robust, better suited for frequent fast charging, and cheaper compared to the Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) batteries currently used in the CLA. However, it has lower energy density, resulting in an estimated range of around 540 kilometers for the new variant.
The new electric CLA will run on the Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA) platform, primarily designed for electric vehicles. It will support up to 320 kW fast charging on its 800-volt architecture, enabling rapid recharge speeds. About 201 miles of range can be added in just 10 minutes, and typical 10-80% charging in about 22 minutes under ideal fast charger conditions.
While the exact pricing for the LFP variant is yet to be specified, Mercedes has confirmed that it will be positioned as the more affordable entry-level model, with higher trims expected to start below or around the mid-£40,000s. This puts it in competition with the long-range Tesla Model 3.
In terms of power output, the CLA with LFP battery is estimated to be between 218 and 231 PS (160-170 kW), which is lower compared to the currently available models with NMC batteries that offer power outputs of 272 PS (200 kW) and 354 PS (260 kW).
The CLA Shooting Brake with LFP battery is also expected to offer a range of around 520 kilometers. Early estimates suggest that it could start at around €46,000.
While charging times for the LFP variant are yet to be determined, they are expected to be longer than those for the initially offered electric CLA models with a 320 kW charging capacity. If 800V fast chargers are unavailable, a 400V converter limits DC charging to 100 kW.
This new offering from Mercedes-Benz aims to provide urban users with a smaller, cost-effective electric vehicle option, offering strong efficiency, fast charging, and a competitive range for city-centric needs. The CLA with LFP battery promises to be a competitively priced EV with quick charging and solid city-range capability.
- The LFP battery, used in the more affordable electric variant of the upcoming Mercedes-Benz CLA, offers a cheaper alternative to Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) batteries, catering to urban drivers prioritizing efficiency and cost.
- The new electric CLA, which will be positioned as the more affordable entry-level model, will run on the Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA) platform, supporting up to 320 kW fast charging and boasting of 201 miles of range in just 10 minutes.
- This new offering from Mercedes-Benz, the CLA with LFP battery, promises to be a competitively priced EV with quick charging and solid city-range capability, putting it in competition with the long-range Tesla Model 3.
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