Mercedes C 350e Estate EV charger: which one fits best?
The Mercedes C 350e Estate is a plug-in hybrid with a charging power of 3.7 kW. Its usable battery holds 6.2 kWh. That small battery is deliberate. The car runs on petrol as well as electricity, so you only cover a short distance on the battery. The effect on your charger choice is a surprising one: a more powerful wallbox will not charge this car any faster. If you want a charger that still serves you in five years, look beyond this one car. Our overview of Mercedes EV chargers covers the other Mercedes models.
For the Mercedes C 350e Estate we recommend a charger from our 11 kW EV chargers.
Charging specifications of the Mercedes C 350e Estate
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Usable battery capacity | 6.2 kWh |
| Max. AC charging power (home) | 3.7 kW (single-phase) |
| Charging time with an EV charger | approx. 1.5 to 2 hours |
| Charging connector | Type 2 (Mennekes) |
| DC fast charging | Not available |
Why a more powerful charger does not charge this car any faster
The Mercedes C 350e Estate accepts 3.7 kW at most, over a single-phase connection. Put an 11 kW or 22 kW charger next to it and the speed still stops at 3.7 kW. The car sets the ceiling, not the charger. A stronger unit does no harm, but for this car it adds nothing.
In practice you refill the 6.2 kWh battery in roughly 1.5 to 2 hours. Plug the car in during the evening and it is ready well before your next trip. For the daily electric range of this plug-in hybrid, that is more than enough.
Which EV charger suits the Mercedes C 350e Estate?
Because this car charges at 3.7 kW, almost any charger is technically suitable. The real question is what you drive after it. If you move to a fully electric car later, that one often charges at 11 kW over three phases. An 11 kW charger costs barely more today and keeps you ready for that step.
A number of the models in that range carry a built-in MID meter. That is a certified kWh meter, so it records exactly what goes into your car. It shows you what charging at home costs, separately from the rest of your household use. You can filter on it straight away in our charging stations with a MID meter.
Two more features are worth a look. Load balancing keeps an eye on the power your home is already using. The charger then lowers its own speed, so the circuit does not trip while your washing machine, dishwasher and oven are running. Our EV chargers with dynamic load balancing handle that automatically. A charger with an app adds the other half: you start a session and read your usage from your phone.
Our EV home chargers are made for an ordinary driveway or garage, which is where this car spends its nights. If you want to be ready for a fully electric car, start in our 11 kW EV chargers.
How long does the Mercedes C 350e Estate take to charge?
The sum is a simple one. Divide the 6.2 kWh battery by 3.7 kW of charging power. From empty to full, that is roughly 1.5 to 2 hours. A more powerful charger changes nothing there, because the car blocks anything above 3.7 kW. Charging from an ordinary socket at 2.3 kW takes about 2.5 hours, so the gap is small. The Mercedes C 350e Estate has a Type 2 connection. A separate Type 2 charging cable is useful if you also charge away from home. At home you use the fixed cable of the charger.
Installing your EV charger
We always recommend having the connection made by a qualified electrician. That is safer and it matters for your insurance. Wallbox Discounter arranges installation in the Netherlands, Flemish Belgium and Germany, and in no other country. In Germany it runs through a free quotation rather than an order you place at checkout. We ship almost all our products worldwide, but installation runs only in those three countries.
Do you still have a single-phase connection at home? This car charges perfectly well on it. The 11 kW charger we recommend is three-phase itself, so it does need three phases. Have your connection checked at the same time if you want to be ready for your next EV.
Other versions of the Mercedes C 350e
Wallbox Discounter also has charger advice for other versions and models in the Mercedes C-Class:
- Mercedes C350e, the saloon version of the same plug-in hybrid
- Mercedes C 300, another C-Class version
Frequently asked questions
Does the Mercedes C 350e Estate need a three-phase connection?
No. The car charges at 3.7 kW over a single phase, so an ordinary 16 A single-phase connection is enough. You only need three phases once you buy an EV that charges at 11 kW. It is worth allowing for that now.
Do I need an EV charger with a MID meter?
You do not have to have one, but it is useful. A MID meter is a certified kWh meter, so it measures your charging sessions accurately. That lets you see what charging at home costs you, apart from the rest of your electricity bill.
Does the car charge faster with a 22 kW charger?
No. The Mercedes C 350e Estate accepts 3.7 kW at most. A 22 kW charger fills this car exactly as fast as a 3.7 kW one. A more powerful charger only makes sense if you also plan to use it for a faster car later.