The Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive could ditch its Tesla-sourced drivetrain - Digital Trends
Mercedes-Benz is preparing to launch a vastly upgraded version of the B-Class Electric Drive, a German magazine finds. The current B-Class Electric Drive — Mercedes’ only regular-production EV — is equipped with a 28-kWh lithium-ion battery pack that gives it a total driving range of approximately 115 miles. Surprisingly, none of the components that will make up the upgraded model’s drivetrain will be sourced from Tesla. Mercedes parent company Daimler is pushing engineers to develop parts such as electric motors, on-board chargers and other EV-related electronics in-house. For the time being, Mercedes will continue to buy packs from a third-party firm, though it has hinted it will quit using Tesla as a supplier. If the report is accurate, it likely signals the end of the partnership between Tesla and Mercedes. The German firm abruptly decided to divest all of its Tesla shares last October, though at the time executives stressed that the sale didn’t signal the end of Daimler’s cooperation with its California-based partner. Related: Next Mercedes E63 to get 600-hp V8. Neither Tesla nor Mercedes have issued an official response to the rumors. Source: www.digitaltrends.com
