Which Home Charger for the Mercedes CLA EV - Best Level 2 Chargers and Adapters

Which home charger for Mercedes CLA EV - Mercedes CLA EV

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Quick answer: our top pick is EVIQO J1772 40 A (NEMA 14-50) (J1772 · 40 A / 9.6 kW · NEMA 14-50 plug · UL & ETL).

See EVIQO J1772 40 A (NEMA 14-50) on Amazon →

Which Home Charger for the Mercedes CLA EV? Start with the J1772 socket

The US version of the electric Mercedes-Benz CLA has one charge flap with two sockets: J1772 for AC charging and NACS for DC fast charging. The onboard AC charger takes up to 9.6 kW, according to Mercedes-Benz dealers.

That makes the home charger choice simple: a J1772 Level 2 charger rated at 40 A. 40 A at 240 V is 9.6 kW, so a bigger unit costs more and charges no faster.

Recommended home chargers for the Mercedes CLA EV - Grizzl-E Classic 40 A (NEMA 14-50)

What comes with the CLA and what you buy separately

Mercedes-Benz USA says the CLA with EQ Technology comes standard with a CCS1 to NACS adapter. It is meant for DC fast charging only, and Mercedes says not to use it on a home wallbox or a Level 2 public charger. Edmunds reports that the NACS socket lets the CLA use Tesla Superchargers without an adapter.

For home charging, Mercedes dealers sell the Mercedes-Benz Power Charger, a portable Level 1 and Level 2 unit that fits in the trunk, through their parts departments. The dealer pages do not say it comes with the car, so check with your dealer before you count on it.

Fun fact: the rear motor of the electric CLA has a two-speed transmission, which is rare in electric cars, Auto Express notes. In Europe the CLA 250+ is rated at up to 792 km (about 492 miles) on the WLTP cycle.

Recommended home chargers for the Mercedes CLA EV - Lectron portable J1772 40 A

40 A is the ceiling: what that means for your outlet

A 40 A charger needs a 50 A circuit. The easiest setup is a NEMA 14-50 outlet and a plug-in charger, so the charger needs no hardwiring. A licensed electrician installs the outlet and checks your panel.

A portable 40 A unit makes sense if you also charge away from home, for example at a campground with a 14-50 outlet. A standard 120 V outlet works too, but it is slow and only suits topping up.

Already have a Tesla Wall Connector? It has a NACS plug, so the CLA needs a NACS to J1772 AC adapter to use it at home. The CCS1 adapter that comes with the car does not do this job.

We picked J1772 chargers rated at 40 A with UL or ETL certification listed by the maker, plus a certified adapter for NACS chargers.

Recommended home chargers for the Mercedes CLA EV

Recommended home chargers for the Mercedes CLA EV - EVIQO J1772 40 A (NEMA 14-50)

1. EVIQO J1772 40 A (NEMA 14-50)

J1772 · 40 A / 9.6 kW · NEMA 14-50 plug · UL & ETL

A plug-in Level 2 wall charger with a J1772 connector, so it goes straight into the Mercedes AC port with no adapter. It delivers up to 40 A from a NEMA 14-50 outlet on a dedicated 50 A circuit, which matches the 9.6 kW onboard charger. The app sets the current from 6 to 40 A and schedules off-peak charging, the cable is 25 ft, and EVIQO lists UL and ETL certification.

See EVIQO J1772 40 A (NEMA 14-50) on Amazon →

Recommended home chargers for the Mercedes CLA EV - Grizzl-E Classic 40 A (NEMA 14-50)

2. Grizzl-E Classic 40 A (NEMA 14-50)

J1772 · 40 A / 9.6 kW · NEMA 14-50 plug · UL

A no-app Level 2 charger in a metal case with a 24 ft cable and a NEMA 14-50 plug. It is rated IP67 for outdoor use, and the current can be set to 40, 32, 24 or 16 A to match the circuit breaker: 40 A needs a 50 A breaker. Grizzl-E lists UL certification and a built-in GFCI.

See Grizzl-E Classic 40 A (NEMA 14-50) on Amazon →

Recommended home chargers for the Mercedes CLA EV - Lectron portable J1772 40 A

3. Lectron portable J1772 40 A

J1772 · 40 A / 9.6 kW · portable · ETL (UL 2594)

A portable Level 2 charger that plugs into a NEMA 14-50 outlet, at home or at a campground, with a 16 ft cable. It charges at up to 40 A and 9.6 kW, the most the Mercedes onboard charger takes. Lectron lists ETL certification to UL 2594 and an IP65 rating.

See Lectron portable J1772 40 A on Amazon →

Recommended home chargers for the Mercedes CLA EV - A2Z EV Stellar Plug NACS to J1772 AC adapter

4. A2Z EV Stellar Plug NACS to J1772 AC adapter

NACS charger to J1772 car · AC only · UL 2252

For owners who already have a Tesla Wall Connector or park at NACS destination chargers: it lets a J1772 car use NACS Level 1 and Level 2 AC chargers. It is not for DC fast charging. A2Z lists UL 2252 and CSA certification, two temperature sensors, a locking latch and a hard case.

See A2Z EV Stellar Plug NACS to J1772 AC adapter on Amazon →

Mercedes CLA EV charging questions

Does the Mercedes CLA EV come with a home charger?

Mercedes USA lists a CCS1 to NACS adapter for DC fast charging as standard. Dealers sell the Mercedes-Benz Power Charger for Level 1 and Level 2, but they do not say it is included, so ask your dealer. A 40 A J1772 wall charger is the usual home setup.

What amperage charger does the CLA EV need?

The onboard charger takes up to 9.6 kW, which is 40 A at 240 V. A 40 A charger on a 50 A circuit uses all of it, and a 48 A charger does not charge the CLA any faster.

Can I use a Tesla Wall Connector with the CLA EV?

Yes, with a NACS to J1772 AC adapter, because the CLA takes AC through its J1772 socket. Pick one with UL 2252 certification. The adapter that comes with the car is for DC fast charging only.

Can the CLA EV charge at Tesla Superchargers?

Edmunds reports that it can, without an adapter, because the CLA has a NACS socket for DC charging. For CCS1 stations, use the CCS1 to NACS adapter Mercedes supplies with the car.

Can I charge the CLA EV from a regular outlet?

Yes, with a Level 1 cord on a 120 V outlet, but it is slow and best for topping up. For daily charging, a 40 A Level 2 charger on a 240 V circuit is the better fit.

Sources

Reading next

Which charging cable for Mercedes GLC EQ - Mercedes GLC EQ
Which charging cable for Tesla Model Y - Tesla Model Y

Leave a comment

This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.