Electric Cars

Mercedes-Benz has introduced a significantly enhanced variant of its all-electric CLA sedan in the Chinese market, known as the CLA Long-Wheelbase EV (CLA L). This new model, competitively priced starting at around $36,000, offers an exceptional driving range and integrates cutting-edge technology, signifying Mercedes-Benz's commitment to the electric vehicle segment in China.

Mercedes-Benz Launches Extended-Wheelbase CLA EV in China, Targeting Range and Intelligence

On Thursday, September 25, 2025, Mercedes-Benz officially opened pre-orders for its new CLA L EV in China. This vehicle is an extended version of the standard electric CLA sedan, meticulously designed to meet the demands of the Chinese market. The CLA L boasts dimensions of 4,783 mm in length, 1,856 mm in width, and 1,469 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,830 mm, which is approximately 40 mm longer than its standard counterpart. This extension contributes to increased interior space and comfort, a key consideration for consumers in the region.

Under the hood, the China-made CLA L EV is powered by an 85 kWh battery pack, enabling a remarkable CLTC range of up to 866 km (538 miles). Mercedes-Benz highlights the vehicle's impressive energy efficiency, reporting a consumption rate of just 10.9 kWh per 100 km. Furthermore, its advanced 800V platform supports rapid charging capabilities, allowing the vehicle to gain 325 km (202 miles) of range in merely 10 minutes, with charging speeds reaching up to 325 kW.

Visually, the extended-wheelbase CLA maintains the sleek aesthetics of the standard model, incorporating Mercedes-Benz’s most recent design language, including an illuminated three-point star emblem and a refreshed grille. The interior is a technological marvel, featuring nearly 25 inches of screen real estate, comprising a 10.25-inch driver display and a 14.6-inch infotainment screen. An optional 14-inch passenger entertainment screen can further expand the total screen space to almost 39 inches, offering an immersive digital experience.

A significant highlight of the new CLA L is its pioneering integration of Mercedes-Benz’s next-generation full-scenario L2 Intelligent Driving System, developed in collaboration with Momenta. This system is engineered to provide intelligent assisted driving across diverse environments, including highways, urban areas, and parking facilities, offering seamless guidance from one parking spot to another. The vehicle also runs on the innovative MB.OS operating system, positioning it as one of the most intelligent Mercedes-Benz models to date, complete with AI virtual voice assistance and an array of interactive functionalities.

The CLA L is available in two distinct versions: the Ultra-Long Range Edition, starting at 259,000 yuan ($36,000 USD), and the Intelligent Edition, priced at 299,000 yuan ($42,000 USD). This competitive pricing strategy, combined with its extended range and advanced features, positions the CLA L as a strong contender in China’s dynamic electric vehicle market. In comparison, the standard Mercedes CLA EV, intended for global markets, offers a WLTP driving range of up to 492 miles (792 km) for the CLA 250+ variant and nearly 480 miles (771 km) for the 350 4MATIC version.

The introduction of the Mercedes-Benz CLA L EV in China underscores the escalating competition and rapid innovation within the global electric vehicle sector. With its compelling combination of extended range, cutting-edge intelligent driving systems, and a luxurious, tech-rich interior at an accessible price point, Mercedes-Benz is not only reaffirming its commitment to electrification but also strategically positioning itself to capture a significant share of the burgeoning Chinese EV market. This model’s success could pave the way for future long-wheelbase electric offerings, demonstrating a flexible and responsive approach to diverse market demands.

Cultivating a Greener Tomorrow: Plants as the New Mines

Harnessing Nature's Power: The Concept of Phytomining

Researchers globally are exploring innovative solutions to support the decarbonization and electrification of transportation. A promising avenue involves cultivating robust, rapidly growing plants capable of absorbing vital metals, crucial for electric vehicle battery production, directly from the soil. These metals are subsequently harvested through processes that are both cleaner and more economical than traditional mining practices.

Nickel: A Critical Element Reimagined

Nickel stands as a prime example of a key component in contemporary electric vehicle batteries. Its conventional extraction, however, is often characterized by its environmental impact, high costs, and destructive nature. Enter Genomines, a French biotech startup, which proposes a groundbreaking alternative: extracting nickel from common daisies.

Introducing Genomines: Pioneering Plant-Based Extraction

The possibility of obtaining nickel and other valuable metals from plants is realized through phytomining. While ordinary plants typically don't accumulate sufficient metals for commercial extraction, Genomines has engineered 'hyperaccumulators.' These specialized plants naturally draw metals and minerals from the earth into their stems and leaves, where they can later be efficiently harvested.

Meeting Future Demand: The Vision of Genomines

Fabien Koutchekian, co-founder and CEO of Genomines, emphasizes the urgent need for substantial metal quantities to facilitate the energy transition, particularly for electric vehicle batteries and stainless steel. He notes that current conventional mining methods are insufficient to meet this escalating demand. Genomines projects that achieving the 2040 targets of the Paris Agreement, which aim to transition all global vehicles to electric, will necessitate a six-fold increase in today's worldwide metal output, potentially leading to numerous new and environmentally damaging mining operations.

From Destructive Mines to Productive Farms

Traditional mining operations are not only environmentally detrimental but frequently associated with human rights issues. Veronica Cabe, Chair of Amnesty International Philippines, highlights the severe consequences faced by Indigenous Peoples and rural communities due to the global pursuit of energy transition minerals, including inadequate consultation processes and negative impacts on health, livelihoods, and access to clean water.

A Sustainable Investment: Genomines' Impact

Genomines believes its high-performance, custom-engineered daisies can avert such ecological and societal harm. This vision has garnered significant investment, including over $45 million from a consortium featuring Hyundai and Tata, the parent company of Jaguar and Land Rover. Koutchekian articulates the company's mission: to utilize plant biotechnology for extracting vital resources for clean energy, employing scalable methods that safeguard biodiversity, soil health, and human welfare. Their ambition is to establish an entirely new sector for plant-derived metals, fundamentally rebalancing global mineral supply chains for decades to come.

Advantages of Phytomining: A Multi-faceted Solution

Genomines asserts that its methods are not only scalable but also offer numerous benefits over traditional mineral mining. These advantages include transforming unproductive lands into economic assets by operating in areas unsuitable for agriculture but rich in metals, establishing operational farms within 1-2 years compared to 12-17 years for conventional nickel mines, ensuring cleaner and more traceable extraction with 40-50% lower equipment and operational costs, and implementing scalable modular deployments for capital-efficient assets. Moreover, the hyperaccumulator plants capture carbon during growth, potentially making the entire process carbon-negative.

Global Potential and Future Outlook

Alex Hoffmann, General Partner at VC firm Forbion and a Genomines investor, states that Genomines' technology utilizes underutilized land by extracting nickel from low-concentration soils, avoiding competition with traditional agriculture. He believes this, combined with a structural cost advantage, positions Genomines to fundamentally alter critical metal extraction towards a more sustainable approach. Genomines estimates that approximately 30 to 40 million hectares globally contain enough nickel for their phytomining processes to satisfy the world's EV demands, representing 7-14 times the current mining output. The company is actively progressing at its South African site with 23 full-time staff, with further expansion anticipated.