Description

Which cable a plug-in GLE needs depends on which one is sitting on your driveway. Three plug-in versions have been sold here and they do not charge at the same speed, so the badge on the tailgate decides the purchase.

The GLE 500 e 4MATIC, built from 2015 to 2018, carries an 8.7 kWh battery and charges through a Type 2 socket at about 3.7 kW. Mercedes UK has never confirmed that figure, so treat it as approximate. A 16A Type 2 to Type 2 cable meets that limit and costs less than the 32A version, which is why we list it as the best fit for this car.

The GLE 350 de 4MATIC, sold as an SUV and a Coupe from 2020 to 2023, is a very different proposition. It is a diesel plug-in hybrid with a 31.2 kWh battery, larger than the pack in some small electric cars, and it accepts 7.4 kW on AC. Here the 32A cable earns its price, because 16A would roughly double every charge.

The GLE 400 e 4MATIC, on sale from 2023 onwards, uses the same 31.2 kWh battery. Mercedes UK has not published its maximum AC charge speed, so we do not quote one. Buying the 32A cable means the cable will never be the part holding you back.

UK homes run on a single phase supply, so 7.4 kW is the ceiling at home no matter which cable is plugged in. The 22 kW three phase cable only reaches 22 kW at a three phase commercial charge point, and no plug-in GLE is listed at that speed. Your car draws the lowest of three limits: the car, the supply and the cable.

If your GLE is a 300 d, 350 d, 400 d, 450, 450 d, AMG 53 or AMG 63, it has no charging port and needs no cable at all.

Type 2 to Type 2 cables are IP55 rated, Type 2 to 3 Pin cables are IP67, both come in 5m and 10m lengths, and every order includes a 2 year manufacturer's warranty and free next working day UK delivery.

Mercedes GLE Charging Times

GLE 500 e 4MATIC, 2015 to 2018, 8.7 kWh

GLE 350 de 4MATIC, 2020 to 2023, 31.2 kWh

GLE 400 e 4MATIC, 2023 onwards, 31.2 kWh

Mercedes UK has not confirmed a maximum AC charge speed for the GLE 400 e, so we do not publish charge times for it.

Mercedes GLE Charging Cable FAQs

Which charging cable does a Mercedes GLE500e need?

The GLE 500 e 4MATIC of 2015 to 2018 has an 8.7 kWh battery and takes about 3.7 kW, so a 16A Type 2 to Type 2 cable is the sensible buy and fills it in roughly 2h45m. A 32A cable fits the same socket but the car will not draw any more from it.

Is the 32A cable worth it on a GLE 350 de?

Yes. The GLE 350 de holds 31.2 kWh and accepts 7.4 kW, so a 32A cable finishes a full charge in about 4h45m. A 16A cable is capped at 3.7 kW and stretches the same charge to roughly 9h30m. On a battery that size the difference is worth the extra outlay.

How long does a GLE 350 de take to charge?

From empty on a 7.4 kW home charge point with a 32A cable, allow about 4h45m for the 31.2 kWh battery. Drop to a 16A cable and that becomes roughly 9h30m. A three pin lead pulls only 2.3 kW, which means a little over 15 hours, so keep it for emergencies.

Do all Mercedes GLE models plug in?

No. Only the GLE 500 e, the GLE 350 de and the GLE 400 e have a charging socket. The GLE 300 d, 350 d, 400 d, 450 and 450 d, plus the AMG GLE 53 and AMG GLE 63, have no charging port in any model year, so no cable will connect to them.

Will a three phase cable charge my GLE faster?

Not at home. British houses have a single phase supply, so 7.4 kW is the most any home charge point can deliver, and the 22 kW figure on a three phase cable is only reachable at a three phase commercial unit. No plug-in GLE is listed above 7.4 kW, so the standard 32A cable is enough.

Should I buy a 5m or 10m GLE cable?

Measure from your charge point to where the GLE usually sits. A 5m cable suits a wall box beside the parking space. The GLE is a long car, so if you park nose in on a wide drive, reverse onto the road, or share a post with a neighbour, the 10m cable saves repeated shuffling.

Pros and cons

• Sustainably produced
• Ideal for everyday use
• May discolor in direct sunlight