I’ve never warmed to plug-in hybrids so I was interested in recent comments by
Mercedes-Benz executives who suggested they would offer fewer plug-in hybrid
models as buyers were increasingly embracing full electric power. Most plug-in
hybrids only offer around 50 to 60 km of electric range yet their cost over a pure
petrol or diesel model is significant. And with the growth of pure electric models
and advances in technology and range early adopters of plug-in hybrids in my
opinion will pay heavily in retained value. Mercedes-Benz for example currently
offers only one plug-in hybrid – the 300e sedan at $130,900 offers just 51km of
electric power – by comparison, the petrol E-Class sedan starts at $106,000. Plug-
in hybrids at best are purely transitional models and early adopters will pay
heavily at trade-in time. I’m David Berthon

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