Mercedes Benz is launching the CLA Electric in India on April 24, 2026. Bookings are already open at a token amount of Rs 1.5 lakh, and the brand has provided tentative pricing for both variants. The CLA 200 Standard Range is expected to be priced at around Rs 55 lakh ex showroom, while the CLA 250+ Long Range sits at approximately Rs 59 lakh. Final prices depend on exchange rates at the time of launch. Deliveries for the Long-Range variant are scheduled to begin by end of April, while the Standard Range will reach customers from June onwards.
This is the first time the CLA nameplate arrives here with a fully electric powertrain. The earlier combustion powered CLA was discontinued in early 2020.
The new model also consolidates the brand’s entry level electric line-up by effectively replacing the A Class Limousine, EQA, and EQB, three separate models that previously occupied the lower rungs of the Mercedes EV portfolio.
The CLA 250+ Long Range is the more capable of the two. It uses an 85.5kWh lithium-ion battery and a single rear mounted electric motor producing 272hp and 335Nm. It sprints from zero to 100kph in a claimed 6.7 seconds.
The headline figure is its WLTP certified range of 792km, which is a significant number even accounting for the gap between lab and real-world conditions. DC fast charging is supported at up to 240kW, and Mercedes claims that 400km of range can be added in around 20 minutes under ideal conditions.
The CLA 200 Standard Range uses a smaller 58kWh battery and claims a range of 542km on the WLTP cycle. Both variants are built on Mercedes Benz’s new Modular Architecture platform, developed specifically for electric models. The 800-volt electrical architecture on the Long-Range variant contributes to its high charging speed and the drivetrain’s claimed 93 percent efficiency rating, which partly explains the strong range figure.
A detail worth noting for anyone particular about comfort on imperfect roads: the ground clearance has been raised and the suspension specifically tuned for local road conditions. The car is imported as a completely built unit from Mercedes Benz’s Rastatt plant in Germany.
The India spec CLA comes standard with the AMG Line package on both variants, which adds sportier front and rear bumpers, aluminium pedals, and 18 inch AMG alloy wheels. Inside, the cabin is built around a 10.25 inch digital driver’s display and a 14 inch central touchscreen running Mercedes Benz’s latest MB.OS operating system. The system supports AI integration including ChatGPT and Google Gemini. Six USB C fast charging ports are distributed through the cabin.
The co passenger side of the dashboard gets an illuminated panel with LED backlit star logos that sync with the cabin ambient lighting, in place of the triple screen Superscreen setup offered globally. The CLA Electric is also the first Mercedes Benz to come with a frunk, offering 101 litres of additional storage at the front, alongside the boot at the rear.
Priced between Rs 55 lakh and Rs 59 lakh, the CLA Electric positions itself directly against the BMW iX1 LWB and the BYD Seal. The iX1 LWB starts at around Rs 48 lakh but offers shorter range. The BYD Seal competes on range and price but operates in a different brand tier.
The CLA’s strongest competitive advantage is the combination of its range figure, the brand’s established service and charging network, and the entry point it creates into the Mercedes EV family for buyers who previously found the EQS or EQE too expensive to consider.
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