Mercedes-Benz India is stepping up its electric vehicle push, lining up more than half a dozen EV launches over the next 18–24 months as part of a broader global rollout of over 40 new products, with the CLA ushering in a new wave of reimagined EVs.
The move signals a clear shift from a top-heavy EV strategy to a broader, portfolio-led approach, as the German carmaker looks to tap younger buyers and expand beyond early adopters in a market where electrification is still evolving and price sensitivity remains high at the entry level.
The CLA EV, which sits at the entry point of the brand’s electric lineup, is central to this transition. Built on a new dedicated architecture with an 800-volt system and Mercedes-Benz’s latest MB.OS software, it is positioned as the foundation for the company’s next generation of electric products.
“The CLA is more of a technology play than a price play,” said Santosh Iyer, MD & CEO of Mercedes Benz India told Autocar Professional underlining the company’s focus on product strength rather than pricing-led disruption.
The rollout will gather pace from here. Mercedes-Benz is expected to introduce a series of EVs across segments, including the GLC EV and the C-Class EV, as it works towards offering an electric option across its core lineup.
Importantly, the expansion begins this year itself. The company plans to launch two more EVs in 2026, although Iyer did not disclose specific models or timelines.
“We will have an EV across every product category in the entire portfolio… right from the A-Class to an S-Class,” Iyer said, outlining the scale of the ambition.
The GLC EV is expected to play a pivotal role, given the SUV’s strong traction in India, while the C-Class EV will target the core entry-luxury sedan segment, where customer demographics are evolving rapidly.
This marks a clear progression from Mercedes-Benz’s earlier EV phase in India, which was anchored by high-end models such as the EQC. While those products established the brand’s electric credentials, volumes remained limited. The next phase is aimed at widening the portfolio and improving market relevance.
That said, the company is not pushing a forced transition. Mercedes-Benz continues to follow a powertrain-agnostic approach, reflecting current market realities. “Whether the customer will shift will depend on their choice and the total cost of ownership… we are not saying he has to,” Iyer said.
The India context remains nuanced. EVs in the luxury segment are still largely second or third cars in a household, and adoption continues to hinge on pricing, incentives and residual value. “If there is the right technology and the right product, customers are ready to accept,” he added.
For now, internal combustion engines continue to anchor volumes. Diesel, in particular, remains a strong contributor in SUVs, highlighting the gradual pace of transition in the Indian market. “We will continue the combustion engine clearly, diesels as well as petrol,” Iyer said.
With a steady EV pipeline and a wider product blitz underway, Mercedes-Benz India is entering a more decisive phase in its electric journey, shifting from a niche EV presence to a full-portfolio play aligned with evolving customer expectations.