What home charger does the Mercedes-Benz CLA with EQ Technology need?
| Model years | Trims | Charger | Breaker |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-2027 | all trims | 48 A | 60 A |
The electric Mercedes-Benz CLA accepts 11.0 kW on AC, so it takes a 48 A charger on a 60 A breaker. That applies to both the 2026 and 2027 cars, whichever motor setup you choose.
Why 48 amps and not more
This is one of the most efficient cars around, and it shows at home: 38 to 41 miles of range per hour at 48 A. A 40 A charger brings that to 32 to 34. A charger rated above 48 A doesn't change anything, because the car caps its own intake.
Charging time by model year
| Year | EPA range | Level 2, miles per hour | Level 2, empty to full | 120 V, miles per hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 312 to 374 mi | 38 to 41 | 8.2 to 9.2 h | 5 to 5.3 |
| 2026 | 312 to 374 mi | 38 to 41 | 8.2 to 9.2 h | 5 to 5.3 |
Level 2 figures assume a charger that supplies the car's full rate. Where a year shows a range, it spans that year's trims.
The 2026 and 2027 cars match each other at the plug, with 312 to 374 miles of range and 8.2 to 9.2 hours from empty depending on the version.
What it costs to charge at home
At the U.S. average residential rate of 18.19¢ per kWh, the 2027 Mercedes-Benz CLA with EQ Technology costs 4.9 to 5.6¢ a mile to charge at home. A full charge from empty comes to about $16 to $18, and 37 miles a day to about $55 to $63 a month. EPA measures energy use at the wall, so the energy lost while charging is already counted. Rates run from 12.36¢ in North Dakota to 46.28¢ in Hawaii, and the cost guide has every state.
What the install involves
Mount the charger where the cable reaches the port without strain, with the car parked the way you normally park it. The circuit is a 60 A breaker feeding a hardwired charger, since no standard receptacle is rated for 48 A. If the panel is tight, a 40 A charger on a NEMA 14-50 outlet and a 50 A breaker is a sensible alternative for a car this efficient.
- 48 A charger: 60 A breaker, hardwired, because no household receptacle is rated for a 48 A charger.
- Dryer outlet: a 4-prong NEMA 14-30 on a 30 A breaker can run a 24 A charger. That adds about 19 to 20 miles of range per hour to the 2027 Mercedes-Benz CLA with EQ Technology, or 190 to 200 in a 10-hour night. What to check first.
- Charge port: J1772. From 2025 the industry is moving to the NACS port, and makers switch at different times. Some of these cars have a J1772 port and some have NACS with an adapter, so look at the port on your own car before choosing a charger's plug.
Chargers that fit the Mercedes-Benz CLA with EQ Technology
Smallest adequate unit first. Every amp above what the car accepts is capacity it never uses.
Energy monitoring built in. Hardwire it for the full 48 A.
Compact unit, good for tight garages.
Adjustable from 16 A to 50 A in the app, which helps if your panel is tight.
Worth having as well
Common questions
- Can a Mercedes-Benz CLA use a NEMA 14-50 outlet?
- Yes, through a 40 A charger on a 50 A breaker, which adds 32 to 34 miles of range per hour. A 48 A charger must be hardwired.
- How long does a Mercedes-Benz CLA take to charge from empty?
- About 8.2 to 9.2 hours on a 48 A charger.
- Does the all-wheel-drive Mercedes-Benz CLA need a bigger charger?
- No. Every version accepts 11.0 kW, so a 48 A charger suits all of them.
- How much does a 120 V outlet add to a Mercedes-Benz CLA?
- About 5 to 5.3 miles of range per hour, which is better than most cars manage on a household outlet.
Before you buy
Other models
Range and efficiency come from EPA data for the Mercedes-Benz CLA with EQ Technology, covering 4 EPA listings across 2 model years. Onboard charger ratings are from manufacturer specifications. Breakers follow NEC 625.41, which sizes a continuous load at 125%. Have a licensed electrician check your panel before buying.