2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA EVs Get 400-Volt Charging Upgrade, Early Units Limited to 800-Volt Stations
The 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA EV is making waves as the first Mercedes-Benz EV to adopt 800-volt architecture for faster charging speeds. However, an initial limitation meant it couldn’t charge at 400-volt DC fast-charging stations, which make up the majority of chargers across the United States. Now, Mercedes-Benz has officially announced a converter fix to allow charging at both 800V and 400V stations—solving a key hurdle before its widespread rollout.
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The Challenge: 800V Charging Limits Accessibility
When the Mercedes-Benz CLA EV was first revealed earlier this year, it appeared to be a game-changer for Mercedes’ electric lineup. The high-voltage system allows charging speeds up to 320 kW, significantly reducing charging time compared to lower-voltage EVs. However, it soon became clear that this advancement came with a drawback—the CLA wasn’t compatible with 400-volt fast-chargers, restricting owners to the much smaller number of 800V stations.
Despite featuring a NACS-style charging port—which should have allowed access to Tesla’s massive Supercharger network—Mercedes confirmed that the CLA would be unable to tap into Tesla’s network because Superchargers predominantly operate on 400-volt systems.
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Mercedes’ Fix: A Converter for 2026 Models
Fortunately, Mercedes-Benz USA has a solution. A spokesperson for the automaker confirmed that starting in early 2026, customer orders for the CLA EV will include a built-in converter, allowing compatibility with both 400V and 800V fast-chargers. This opens access to over 140,000 chargers across the US, vastly improving convenience and usability for American buyers.
While the initial CLA EV units arriving in late 2025 will still be restricted to 800-volt charging only, models delivered in 2026 and beyond will benefit from this much-needed enhancement.
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The fix is a major step forward for EV accessibility. Charging speed and station availability remain some of the biggest concerns for American drivers considering a switch to electric vehicles. By addressing the charging compatibility issue, Mercedes ensures the CLA EV can compete with rivals like the Lucid Air and Hyundai Ioniq 5, both of which also feature 800V charging capabilities but can charge at lower-voltage stations.
With widespread charging compatibility, a luxurious design, and next-gen technology, the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA EV is now positioned to be a top contender in the US EV market.
