Not every Mercedes C 300 e charges at the same speed. The C-Class plug-in hybrid comes in three generations, and two of them carry the C 300 e name. The 2015 to 2018 car, badged C 350 e, charges at home with up to 3.7 kW. The 2019 to early 2021 car charges with up to 7.4 kW. The car from mid-2021 charges with 11 kW across three phases. Three-phase simply means a mains connection with three live wires instead of one. So check the build date first, then pick the charger. You can also browse the full range of Mercedes EV chargers at Wallbox Discounter.
For the Mercedes C 300 e from mid-2021 we recommend a charger from our 11 kW EV chargers.
The 2015 to 2018 C 350 e never draws more than 3.7 kW, so almost any charger suits it. The 2019 to early 2021 C 300 e is the tricky one. It can fall back to 3.7 kW on an 11 kW charger, depending on how it connects. A 22 kW EV charger gives that generation its full 7.4 kW in every case.
Three generations, three charging profiles
The gaps between the three versions are large. The newest car has a battery four times the size of the oldest one. It also charges about three times as fast at home. Put the three versions side by side before you choose.
| Generation | Model years | Battery | Max. AC charging power | DC fast charging | Electric range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C 350 e (W205) | 2015–2018 | 6.4 kWh gross | 3.7 kW (single-phase) | not available | 31 km (NEDC) |
| C 300 e (W205 facelift) | 2019–early 2021 | 13.5 kWh gross (around 11 kWh usable) | 7.4 kW | not available | 50–52 km (WLTP) |
| C 300 e (W206) | from mid-2021 | 25.4 kWh gross (19.5 kWh usable) | 11 kW (three-phase) | up to 55 kW with the optional CCS connector | 99–111 km (WLTP) for the saloon, 95–107 km for the estate, with later versions up to 117 km |
Do you have a C 350 e (2015 to 2018)? Then a simple EV charger is enough
The older C 350 e charges at home with a maximum of 3.7 kW on a single phase. The car limits that power itself. An 11 kW or 22 kW charger therefore adds nothing for this generation. With a battery of 6.4 kWh the car is full again in about 1 hour 50 minutes. A simple charger, single phase if you like, covers this car easily. This generation cannot rapid charge, so you charge at home or at work.
Do you have a C 300 e (2019 to early 2021)? Then a 22 kW EV charger is the safe choice
This is the generation that shares its name with the newest car, and it charges very differently. The facelifted C-Class carries a 13.5 kWh battery and a 7.4 kW onboard charger. Around 11 kWh of that battery is usable, so a full charge takes roughly 1.5 hours. This generation's onboard charger does not use the mains the same way in every car. Because of that, it can drop to 3.7 kW, depending on how it connects. That happens on an 11 kW charger or on a single-phase 7.4 kW charger.
A 22 kW EV charger solves that doubt. It offers 32 A on every phase, so this car reaches its full 7.4 kW either way. Rapid charging is not available on this generation, so you charge it at home or at work.
Do you have a C 300 e (from mid-2021)? Then you use an 11 kW EV charger in full
The newest C 300 e belongs to the small group of plug-in hybrids that charge at 11 kW across three phases. Most plug-in hybrids stop at 3.7 kW, but this one does not. Its battery holds 25.4 kWh gross, of which 19.5 kWh is usable. With an 11 kW charger and a three-phase connection you refill it in about 2 hours, charging losses included. With the optional CCS connector it rapid charges at up to 55 kW on the road. That takes the battery to 80 percent in around 30 minutes. Without that option the car cannot rapid charge at all.
Which EV charger suits your C 300 e?
For the C 300 e from mid-2021, an 11 kW charger on three phases gives you everything the car accepts. For the 2019 to early 2021 C 300 e, only a 22 kW charger guarantees its full 7.4 kW. For the 2015 to 2018 C 350 e, a simple charger is enough. An 11 kW EV charger also works well there, because it scales its power down to the car.
A MID meter deserves a separate look. MID is the European measuring standard for meters, so a MID meter is a certified kWh meter inside the charger. It shows exactly what charging at home costs you, separate from the rest of your household use. In our range that meter is rare on 11 kW models and common on 22 kW models. That suits the 2019 to early 2021 car well. The 22 kW charger is also the one that fills it at full power.
You can compare our EV chargers with a MID meter on one page. Not sure which C-Class generation you drive? We are happy to help by phone or WhatsApp, free of charge.
How long does the Mercedes C 300 e take to charge?
Charging time depends on the generation. The 2015 to 2018 C 350 e has a small 6.4 kWh battery and charges at 3.7 kW. It is full again in about 1 hour 50 minutes. The 2019 to early 2021 C 300 e holds around 11 kWh usable and charges at 7.4 kW. That takes roughly 1.5 hours. The C 300 e from mid-2021 has 19.5 kWh usable and charges at 11 kW, so it needs about 2 hours. The newest car therefore stores far more energy in a similar time. All three generations use a Type 2 connector, just like most modern EV chargers.
Other versions and models
Do you drive a different Mercedes plug-in hybrid? Our advice for the Mercedes GLC 4MATIC covers a model that also spans several generations, each with its own charging profile. We always recommend having your charger connected by a qualified electrician. That is safer and it often matters for your insurance. We arrange installation in the Netherlands, Flemish Belgium and Germany. We ship our chargers worldwide, but installation stays within those three countries.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know which C 300 e generation I have?
Look at the type badge and the build date. A C 350 e built from 2015 to 2018 is the first generation and charges at 3.7 kW. A C 300 e built from 2019 to early 2021 is the facelift and charges at 7.4 kW. A C 300 e built from mid-2021 charges at 11 kW. Two different cars carry the C 300 e name, and both were sold during 2021. The build date in your registration papers settles which one you have. The quickest tell is the charging socket. The 2019 to early 2021 facelift has no rapid-charging socket at all. The newer car can have one as a paid option. The exact type also appears on the vehicle data plate.
Does the Mercedes C 300 e need a three-phase EV charger?
Only the C 300 e from mid-2021 uses a three-phase connection in full, at 11 kW. The 2015 to 2018 C 350 e charges on one phase at 3.7 kW and needs nothing more. The 2019 to early 2021 C 300 e sits in between. It reaches its full 7.4 kW on a 22 kW charger, whatever its connection turns out to be. All of these chargers will charge all of these cars safely. What differs is the speed: only a 22 kW charger gives the 2019 to early 2021 car its full 7.4 kW.
Why does a MID meter matter?
A MID certified kWh meter records your charging use accurately. It tells you what charging at home really costs, separate from your household consumption. That is useful for any driver, not just for people who charge for work. In our range you will find this meter mainly on 22 kW chargers and only rarely on 11 kW models.