The all-new electric C-Class: 360° Environmental Check

The all-new electric C-Class has been designed from scratch as a battery-electric vehicle, marking the next consistent step in Mercedes-Benz’s electrification strategy in the midsize segment. Numerous sustainability measures, first introduced with the all-new electric GLC, are now also being applied to the all-new electric C‑Class. As a result, the C‑Class achieves a two-thirds reduction in carbon footprint across its entire life cycle compared to the current combustion-powered C‑Class. This is documented in the 360° Environmental Check, which is verified by independent auditors.

Resource efficiency, CO₂ reduction and the circular economy are already key focus areas during the development phase. Together with its suppliers, Mercedes‑Benz specifically relies on CO₂-reduced materials such as aluminium, steel, plastics and battery cells. As a result, CO₂ emissions in the supply chain can be reduced by approximately 23 per cent.

The key contributions to the environmental performance of the all-new electric C‑Class:

• Design for Environment: Resource conservation measures are firmly embedded in the development process of the all-new electric C‑Class. The “Design for Environment” approach considers material efficiency, recyclability and the increased use of secondary raw materials already in the early stages of development.
• Carbon-reduced aluminium: Mercedes-Benz sources approximately two-thirds of the vehicle’s aluminium requirements from electrolysis plants powered by renewable energy or with an increased share of recycled material. In addition to the body and steering knuckles, components such as the wheels and battery housing are made of aluminium with a reduced carbon footprint. 
• Carbon-reduced steel: Around 45 kilograms of steel from electric arc furnaces powered by renewable energy are used for the steel components manufactured in-house.
• Use of secondary materials: Compared to the C‑Class currently in series production, the share of secondary materials in thermoplastics has increased by more than a factor of four. In total, around 49 kilograms of thermoplastic recycled plastic are used. Numerous components are partially made from recycled materials, including:
• Frunk tub with 50 per cent post-consumer recyclate
• Wheel arch liners with 93 per cent recycled content
• Jack mounts made from 100 per cent recycled bumpers from end-of-life vehicles
• Bumper carriers with 83 per cent recycled content
• Nonwoven fabric and yarn in seat covers with 34 and 50 per cent recycled content, respectively

Reduction of carbon emissions during the use phase:

• Outstanding range: The all-new electric C‑Class has a range of over 762 kilometres on one charge according to WLTP². This makes it suitable for both everyday use and long-distance driving. Further models with rear-wheel and all-wheel drive as well as various battery variants will follow next year. These include a rear-wheel-drive model with an expected range of approximately 800 kilometres.
• High efficiency of the electric drive: With a combined energy consumption of 18.5–14.1 kWh/100 km, the all-new electric C‑Class is one of the particularly efficient vehicles in its segment. 
• 800-volt architecture: Modern 800-volt technology provides the basis for high efficiency and particularly short charging times.
• Standard multi-source heat pump: It combines efficiency with high thermal comfort. The air-side heat pump uses waste heat from the electric drive system and the battery, as well as ambient air, to heat the interior. In doing so, it requires around one-third of the electrical energy that a comparable electric auxiliary heater would need to deliver the same heating output under the same boundary conditions.
• High recuperation performance: The C‑Class is equipped with a new One-Box braking system. For efficiency reasons, up to 99 per cent of all braking processes are carried out entirely through recuperation. The recuperation output is up to 300 kW, which significantly helps increase range.

Intelligent charging ecosystem with renewable charging:

• Fast-charging capability: Due to the high charging power, up to 325 kilometres can be recharged within ten minutes².
• MB.CHARGE Public: Through MB.CHARGE Public, customers gain access to one of the largest charging networks worldwide, currently containing more than 3 million charging points. 
• Renewable Charging: Renewable Charging is an integral component of MB.CHARGE Public in Europe, Canada, the USA and China. If a charging station is not yet supplied with renewable energy, “Renewable Charging” employs renewable-energy certificates to ensure that an equivalent amount of clean electricity is fed into the grid for each charge. 
• Navigation with Electric Intelligence: The system plans the fastest and most comfortable route including charging stops and reacts dynamically to numerous factors such as traffic jams or changes in driving style. MBUX visualises the current state of battery capacity, shows the expected charging costs per charging stop and provides energy-saving tips.

Energy-efficient and resource-conserving production of the all-new electric C‑Class:

• Reduction of carbon emissions at the Mercedes-Benz plant Kecskemét: The all-new electric C‑Class is produced at the Kecskemét plant, which already operates with energy-efficient technologies. Photovoltaic systems are a central component of the site's energy supply: In the west of the plant, a ground-mounted solar park with an installed capacity of 27.4 MWp was built on an area of 240,000 square metres. Together with the photovoltaic systems on the roofs of the new battery assembly, body shop and assembly halls, the plant reaches a total capacity of 42.3 MWp. This can cover around 25 per cent of the annual energy demand.

• Innovative production technologies: In the new paint shop, optimised processes reduce energy consumption by around 20 per cent compared to the existing facility and cut carbon emissions by approximately 80 per cent. Additional investments in water efficiency and waste avoidance help conserve resources throughout the entire production process.

Measures in supply-chain management:

• Responsible sourcing: Suppliers must accept the Responsible Sourcing Standards (RSS) to be eligible to participate in new awardings. As the company’s central contractual framework for sustainability requirements, the standards are applied internationally. Through the Responsible Sourcing Standards (RSS), the company consolidates its expectations of suppliers regarding sustainable and responsible business practices, particularly with regard to working conditions, human rights, environmental protection, business ethics and compliance. The RSS are based, among other things, on internationally recognised frameworks, as well as the Mercedes‑Benz Group’s Integrity Code and its Statement of Principles on Social Responsibility and Human Rights.
• Focus on CO₂-intensive materials: Binding targets for CO₂ reduction have been integrated into the sourcing processes for materials such as steel, aluminium, plastics and battery cells.
• Decarbonisation of the supply chain: Mercedes-Benz works continuously with its partners to transform industrial supply chains, which includes expanding the production of low-carbon steel and aluminium.
• Systematic risk management: Mercedes-Benz continuously enhances its due diligence approach and aims to complete assessments of all material high-risk raw materials by 2028, implementing mitigation measures where necessary. Progress is reported in the company’s Raw Material Report.

Vegan-certified interior equipment:

• Tomorrow drives Mercedes‑Benz: For interior materials, this means not only consistently increasing the share of recycled materials but also offering customers a vegan interior. 
• Vegan interior equipment: For the all-new electric C‑Class, Mercedes‑Benz offers vegan interior equipment certified by the independent organisation The Vegan Society. The only other car in the world to be certified in this regard by The Vegan Society is the all-new electric GLC.
• Reviewed materials: That’s why Mercedes‑Benz has had all soft-touch surface materials in the vehicle interior, such as microfibre fleece, textiles and man-made leather, completely reviewed and audited.
• Animal-free materials: If there were any indications that they contained animal-based components, the materials underwent further development in cooperation with the respective supplier, and the affected components were replaced by other, animal-free components or auxiliaries.
• Holistic material concept: The optional vegan package is marked with The Vegan Society’s “Vegan Trademark” in the Mercedes‑Benz configurator and includes, among other things, seat upholstery, headliner, door and pillar trim, and carpets.

Click here for the 360° Environmental Check of the all-new electric C-Class.

About the 360° Environmental Check

Mercedes-Benz has published product-specific environmental information since 2005. The 360° Environmental Check is based on a comprehensive life cycle assessment of each vehicle and verified by independent auditors. This transparency initiative reflects Mercedes‑Benz’s commitment to helping customers make informed purchasing decisions.

¹ The specified values were determined in accordance with the prescribed measurement procedure WLTP (Worldwide harmonized Light-duty vehicles Test Procedures). The energy consumption and CO₂ emissions of a passenger car depend not only on the efficient utilisation of fuel or the respective energy carrier by the car, but also on the driving style and other non-technical factors.

² The specified recharged range (WLTP) after 10 minutes was determined using the maximum DC charging power in accordance with ISO/SAE 12906 under the conditions described therein.