New electronic CLA's comprehensive eco-evaluation unveiled by Mercedes

New electronic CLA's comprehensive eco-evaluation unveiled by Mercedes

In its pursuit of reducing carbon emissions, Mercedes-Benz has focused on electrifying its vehicles, including the full-electric CLA 250+. While specific CO2 reduction targets for the CLA 250+ are not explicitly stated, the company aligns with EU-mandated targets that aim for a 15% reduction in CO2 emissions for cars by 2025 and strive towards full CO2 neutrality by 2035 for new vehicles.

The life cycle assessment (LCA) of the CLA 250+ takes into account the use of CO2-reduced materials such as aluminum, steel, battery cells, and plastic recyclate. The production of the CLA 250+ involves high material and energy consumption, with steel and aluminum in the body, wheels, axles, and drivetrain significantly contributing to CO2 emissions. Around half of the CO2 emissions in the production of the CLA 250+ are caused by the high-voltage battery, with battery cells being particularly relevant.

The good news is that the high efficiency of the electric powertrain in the CLA 250+ benefits it during the usage phase, potentially leading to lower operational CO2 emissions. In fact, through the use of renewable charging power (hydroelectric power), the lifecycle CO2 emissions of the CLA 250+ could be nearly halved, from 5.4 tonnes (using the EU power mix) to 10.9 tonnes.

It's worth noting that the choice of charging power in the usage phase is a crucial factor for the overall CO2 balance of the CLA 250+. Mercedes has agreed upon reduction measures in its supply chain to visibly reduce CO2 emissions from vehicle production by using CO2-reduced battery cells, aluminum, and steel produced with renewable energy, as well as plastic recyclate.

The new CLA, an electric vehicle by Mercedes-Benz Cars, has defined CO2 reduction targets for the first time in its production chain. Other materials account for 16.5% of the material in the CLA 250+, with polymers and light metals making up 16.5% and 14.7% respectively. At the end of the vehicle's life, the materials used are not lost, and a large portion of high-voltage batteries can be recycled.

The EU's CO2 reduction framework sets increasingly stringent emissions limits that manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz must meet, encouraging a shift to electric vehicles with significantly lower tailpipe emissions and improving life cycle emissions profiles overall. Mercedes-Benz Trucks' electrification efforts, such as the expansion of their battery-electric truck portfolio and commitment to electrified logistics, reflect the brand's commitment to CO2-neutral mobility, which would also extend to passenger vehicle divisions, including the CLA series.

Innovations like the use of efficient battery technologies and high energy efficiency systems in vehicles contribute positively to the LCA by reducing operational CO2 emissions during the vehicle’s use phase, likely also benefiting models like the CLA 250+. For those seeking more detailed figures or a specific LCA report on the CLA 250+, direct access to Mercedes-Benz sustainability or technical disclosures would be needed.

[1] European Commission. (2021). EU CO2 standards for new cars and vans. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/transport/vehicles/cafe_and_emission_standards/index_en.htm [2] European Commission. (2021). CO2 emissions from road transport. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/transport/vehicles/cafe_and_emission_standards/road_transport_en.htm [3] Mercedes-Benz. (2021). Mercedes-Benz Trucks goes electric. Retrieved from https://media.daimler.com/marsMediaSite/en/instance/koepchen/en/news/2021/mercedes-benz-trucks-goes-electric.html [4] Mercedes-Benz. (2021). Mercedes-Benz Cars to become CO2-neutral by 2039. Retrieved from https://media.daimler.com/marsMediaSite/en/instance/koepchen/en/news/2021/mercedes-benz-cars-to-become-co2-neutral-by-2039.html

1. Despite high material and energy consumption during the production process, the life cycle assessment (LCA) of the CLA 250+, an electric vehicle by Mercedes-Benz Cars, focuses on reducing CO2 emissions by using CO2-reduced materials like aluminum, steel, battery cells, and plastic recyclate.
2. In addition to electrifying its vehicles, Mercedes-Benz has agreed upon reduction measures in its supply chain, aiming to reduce CO2 emissions by using CO2-reduced battery cells, aluminum, and steel produced with renewable energy, as well as plastic recyclate.
3. A crucial factor in the overall CO2 balance of the CLA 250+ is the choice of charging power in the usage phase, with through the use of renewable charging power (hydroelectric power), the lifecycle CO2 emissions of the CLA 250+ could be nearly halved.
4. The new CLA is not just an electric vehicle, but it also defines CO2 reduction targets for the first time in its production chain, thereby aligning with EU-mandated targets and aiming for a significant reduction in CO2 emissions for cars, contributing to the EU's CO2 reduction framework.

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