Mercedes C350e Plug-In

The Mercedes-Benz C 350e is a compact executive plug-in hybrid from the W205 generation, available as a Saloon and an Estate. It pairs a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor integrated into the seven-speed automatic gearbox for a combined output of 205 kW (279 PS) and 600 Nm of torque. Drive goes to the rear wheels, and 0–100 km/h takes 5.9 seconds. The 6.2 kWh battery (approximately 5.0 kWh usable) provides an electric-only range of approximately 31 km under NEDC conditions. The onboard AC charger is 3.7 kW single-phase, and there is no DC rapid charging on this model. The Type 2 charging port is located in the right-hand corner of the rear bumper, beneath the right taillight cluster.

Battery and electric range

The lithium-ion battery is positioned beneath the rear axle and is water-cooled for consistent performance. The NEDC electric range of 31 km covers most short urban journeys in electric mode, and the electric motor can sustain speeds of up to 130 km/h independently. Real-world electric range is typically in the 20–25 km region, depending on temperature, speed, and driving style. The car defaults to hybrid mode on startup, blending electric and petrol power according to demand.

Charging at home and at public wallboxes

The 3.7 kW single-phase onboard charger limits charging speed regardless of the supply used. At any wallbox or public AC point rated at 3.7 kW or above, a full charge from empty takes approximately one and a half hours. Connecting to a higher-rated supply makes no practical difference: the car draws only what its onboard charger accepts. Most C 350e owners charge overnight or during longer stops, starting each journey with a full battery for the electric portion of their driving.

Choosing the right cable

The 3.7 kW single-phase onboard charger is fully served by an 11 kW Voldt® Type 2 cable, which is compatible with every public AC charging point and home wallbox across Europe. This is worth a brief note: the 11 kW bottleneck that affects larger 7.4 kW or 11 kW vehicles does not apply here. The C 350e's onboard charger is natively capped at 16A on a single phase, which is exactly what an 11 kW three-phase cable delivers on one line. The full 3.7 kW flows without restriction across all grid types. A 22 kW cable is the forward-looking option for those planning ahead for a future vehicle with higher AC charging capability.

Picking the right length

The charging port sits in the right-hand corner of the rear bumper, so reversing into a bay with a slight angle toward the offside keeps the cable relaxed and avoids stretching it across the boot line. A 6-metre cable suits most driveway and garage configurations. For public charging, an 8-metre cable handles the variation in bay layouts and post positions across different stations. For greater reach, 10 and 15-metre cables are available, and Voldt® supplies cables up to 40 metres for dedicated or commercial installations.

Portable charging with a CEE charger

The Voldt® portable CEE charging cable is a practical addition for C 350e drivers who charge away from a fixed installation. Because the onboard charger is single-phase and capped at 3.7 kW, socket type has no meaningful impact on charge time. On a 16A single-phase CEE socket (3.7 kW), a full charge from empty takes approximately one and a half hours. On a 16A or 32A three-phase CEE socket, the car draws from one phase only at 3.7 kW, giving an identical charge time. On a standard domestic socket at 2.3 kW, a full charge takes around two and a quarter hours, making the household wall plug an entirely practical everyday charging method for a battery of this size.

Quality built to last

Voldt® charging cables are CE, UKCA and TÜV certified and manufactured according to IATF 16949 automotive quality standards. Single-piece moulded connectors, no glue or screws. IP67-rated for operation between −30°C and +50°C. 100% copper conductors with silver-plated contacts. Tested beyond 10,000 connection cycles. Three-year warranty, 100-day returns, free shipping across Europe.