Mercedes GLC 4MATIC plug-in hybrid EV charger: which one fits best?

The right Mercedes GLC plug-in hybrid EV charger depends on your model year. Mercedes has built three plug-in hybrid GLC generations. Their home charging speed runs from 3.6 kW to 11 kW. That is a threefold gap, so the same charger does not suit every GLC. For the other models in the range, see our overview of Mercedes EV chargers.

For the Mercedes GLC 4MATIC plug-in hybrid we recommend a charger from our 11 kW EV chargers. One exception: if yours is a 2019 to 2022 GLC 300 e, read the next section first.

That advice fits the current GLC 300 e exactly, because it draws its full 11 kW there. The 2016 to 2018 GLC 350 e loses nothing either. It caps itself at 3.6 kW on any charger at all.

The 2019 to 2022 GLC 300 e is the exception. Depending on the build, this car charges over one phase or two. On an 11 kW charger that is the difference between 7.4 kW and 3.7 kW. A 22 kW EV charger delivers the full 7.4 kW either way. That does need a three-phase supply rated for 32 A per phase, so check your connection first. For this generation that is the safe choice.

Charging at 11 kW on top of what the rest of the house uses can trip your main fuse. EV chargers with dynamic load balancing keep an eye on your total household load. They lower the charging power in time. Our home EV chargers bring together the models built for a private driveway or garage.

Three generations, three charging profiles

The differences between the three are large. The gross battery grows from 8.7 kWh to 31.2 kWh. Maximum charging power roughly triples over the same period. Compare the versions before you choose an EV charger.

The 34 km of the first generation comes from the older NEDC cycle. That is more optimistic than today's WLTP, so the gap between the generations is larger than the table suggests.

Do you have a GLC 350 e (2016 to 2018)? Then a simple EV charger is enough

This first plug-in GLC charges at 3.6 kW on a single phase. It draws 16 A while doing so. The car sets that ceiling itself. A 7.4 kW, an 11 kW or a 22 kW charger all hand it the same 3.6 kW. An 11 kW model still works perfectly well here, but buy it for its features rather than its speed. With a gross battery of 8.7 kWh the car is full quickly anyway. Fast charging was never an option on this generation, so charging happens at home or at work.

Do you have a GLC 300 e? Then the build year decides

Two different cars carry the GLC 300 e name. The 2019 to 2022 version holds 13.5 kWh gross and charges at 7.4 kW. It cannot fast charge at all. Depending on the build, this car charges over one phase or two. On an 11 kW charger that is the difference between 7.4 kW and 3.7 kW. A 22 kW charger gives it the full 7.4 kW either way. That 22 kW charger is 3 x 32 A, so your supply must deliver 32 A per phase.

The late-2022 car is a different proposition. It is a rarity among plug-in hybrids. It charges at 11 kW across three phases, 16 A per phase. Most plug-in hybrids stop at 3.7 kW. On an 11 kW charger and a three-phase connection, the 31.2 kWh gross battery fills in roughly 2.75 hours. A 22 kW charger adds nothing on top of that, since the car itself stops at 11 kW. On a single-phase supply the car is held to about 3.7 kW. Its charger takes 16 A per phase, and one phase is all that is available. Three phases are what make the full 11 kW possible. Of the three generations on this page, only this one can be ordered with DC fast charging.

Which EV charger fits your GLC 4MATIC?

For the current GLC 300 e, an 11 kW charger on three phases gives you everything the car takes. For the 2016 to 2018 GLC 350 e every charger delivers the same 3.6 kW. Choose on features instead of power. For the 2019 to 2022 GLC 300 e, only a 22 kW charger guarantees the full 7.4 kW. That holds whichever phase layout the car turns out to use. That does need a three-phase connection rated for 32 A per phase, so check yours first.

A second decision is the kWh meter. An MID meter is a certified kWh meter built into the charger. It records your home charging apart from the rest of your household use. That way you see exactly what a full battery costs you.

It is worth knowing where those meters actually sit in our range. Almost every one of our EV chargers with an MID meter is a 22 kW model. At 11 kW the choice comes down to a single product. At 7.4 kW there is none at all. So if a built-in certified meter matters to you, look in the 22 kW range. Your GLC will not charge any faster there, but it will not charge any slower either.

How long does the Mercedes GLC 4MATIC take to charge?

The Mercedes GLC charging time differs sharply from one generation to the next. The GLC 350 e charges at 3.6 kW and is full in about 2 hours at an EV charger. Its 8.7 kWh is the gross figure, and not all of that is usable. The 2019 to 2022 GLC 300 e carries 13.5 kWh gross. It needs roughly an hour and three quarters at a charger.

The current GLC 300 e has by far the largest battery at 31.2 kWh gross. On 11 kW it takes roughly 2.75 hours, so just under three hours. With the optional 60 kW DC charger the battery is back up in about half an hour. That option is the only way any GLC plug-in hybrid charges on DC. All three generations use a Type 2 port, like almost every modern EV charger.

Other versions and models

Driving another Mercedes plug-in hybrid instead of a GLC? Read our advice for the Mercedes C 300 e. That model also comes in more than one generation, each with its own charging profile.

Whichever charger you choose, we recommend having the connection made by a qualified electrician. That is safer and it matters for your insurance. Wallbox Discounter can arrange the installation for you in the Netherlands, Flemish Belgium and Germany. We do not install outside those three countries. Shipping, on the other hand, runs worldwide.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know which GLC generation I have?

Look at the type designation and the build year together. A GLC 350 e built between mid 2016 and August 2018 is the first generation, charging at 3.6 kW. A GLC 300 e from late 2019 to mid 2022 is the facelift, charging at 7.4 kW. A GLC 300 e from late 2022 onwards is the current car, charging at 11 kW. Outside Europe the 350 e name was also used for later cars. Trust the build year over the badge. You will find the type on your registration papers or on the type plate.

Does the Mercedes GLC need a three-phase EV charger?

The current GLC 300 e does, because three phases are what let it reach its full 11 kW. The GLC 350 e does not. It charges on one phase at 3.6 kW and gains nothing from a heavier connection. For the 2019 to 2022 GLC 300 e it depends on the build. Its 7.4 kW charger may use one phase or two. If it is one phase, an 11 kW charger halves it to 3.7 kW. A 22 kW charger gives that car its full 7.4 kW either way. That only works on a three-phase supply that can deliver 32 A per phase.

Why does an MID meter matter?

An MID meter is a certified kWh meter inside the charger. It counts only the electricity that goes into your car, apart from your household use. That gives you an exact figure for what home charging costs. An estimate from your energy bill cannot do that. In our range these meters sit mainly in the 22 kW models, so check the specification before you buy.