Mercedes-Benz Group increased its battery-electric vehicle deliveries by 11% in the first quarter of 2026, helped by strong demand for its new all-electric CLA, as the German luxury automaker seeks to reverse a recent decline in EV sales.
The company delivered 50,400 battery-electric vehicles globally during the January-March period, compared with the same quarter a year earlier, according to company figures.
That total represented about 10% of Mercedes-Benz’s overall vehicle deliveries of 499,700 units across all powertrain types in the quarter.
Battery-electric passenger car deliveries rose 9% to 44,300 units, while electric van sales climbed 29% to 6,100 units.
Mercedes-Benz said the all-electric CLA was the main driver of growth, particularly in Europe, where battery-electric passenger car sales rose 34%. In its home market of Germany, growth reached 36%.
“The new electric GLC has generated more orders in the first three months than any other electric vehicle in our history,” Mathias Geisen, head of sales at Mercedes-Benz, said in a statement.
Mercedes-Benz said production of the all-electric CLA at its Rastatt plant is running at full capacity in a three-shift operation due to strong demand. The Bremen plant is also producing the new electric GLC in three shifts, including Saturday operations.
The company said it expects further momentum from the upcoming all-electric C-Class, which is scheduled for a world premiere soon.
In the van segment, Mercedes-Benz said the upcoming VLE electric van is expected to support future growth.
“The VLE is redefining the segment of the privately positioned van. Its powerful combination of space, comfort, and an unparalleled digital experience creates fresh momentum in the market and opens up new potential for future sales growth,” Thomas Klein, head of Mercedes-Benz Vans, said.
Mercedes-Benz sold 197,300 battery-electric vehicles in 2025, down 4% from 2024, after weaker passenger car sales outweighed growth in electric vans.
The first-quarter improvement extends a recovery that began in the fourth quarter of 2025, when Mercedes-Benz’s EV deliveries rose 3% year-on-year.
