2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e: Is 87 Kilometres of Electric Range Enough for Your Commute?

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e 4MATIC plug-in hybrid delivers 87 km of all-electric driving from its 24.8-kWh battery. For drivers in Laval and the surrounding Quebec region, this figure determines whether you can operate the GLC 350e in pure electric mode for your daily routine or whether you'll rely on the gasoline engine regularly. The answer depends entirely on your specific driving patterns, charging access, and trip predictability.

If your commute from Laval to Montreal runs approximately 20–25 km each way, the GLC 350e can handle a full round trip on electric power when charged at home overnight. This makes the plug-in hybrid particularly practical for drivers with predictable daily routes who want zero emissions during the week while maintaining the flexibility of a 2.0 L turbocharged engine producing 201 hp for longer weekend trips to the Laurentides or spontaneous excursions where charging stations may not be available.

At a Glance: 2025 GLC 350e 4MATIC Key Specs

How 87 Kilometres of Electric Range Fits Your Driving Patterns

The GLC 350e's 87 km of all-electric range serves drivers with consistent, shorter daily routes. This range lets you complete typical commutes, school runs, grocery trips, and local errands without activating the gasoline engine.

For Laval residents commuting to downtown Montreal, the distance typically falls between 20 and 25 km depending on your specific route. A full round trip of 40–50 km fits comfortably within the 87 km electric range when you charge the battery overnight at home using a Level 2 charger. During this electric-only operation, the GLC 350e produces zero tailpipe emissions and eliminates fuel costs for these routine trips.

The plug-in hybrid design becomes particularly useful when your schedule varies. On days when your trip extends beyond the electric range, the 2.0 L turbocharged gasoline engine activates automatically to extend your total range without any need to locate a charging station. This dual-power setup removes the range anxiety that affects pure electric vehicle owners who must plan charging stops carefully.

Weekend trips to Mont-Tremblant or other destinations in the Laurentides demonstrate the practical advantage of the plug-in hybrid system. The GLC 350e operates on electric power for your departure from Laval, transitions to gasoline power for highway driving, and can return to electric mode when you reach your destination if charging infrastructure is available. When it's time to return home, you have the full fuel tank available regardless of whether you found a charging station during your stay.

Charging Speed and Flexibility

The GLC 350e charges through both AC and DC methods, giving you multiple options based on your location and time available.

Standard AC charging uses a 9.6-kW onboard charger connected to a Level 2 charging station. At this rate, the battery charges from 10 to 100 percent in approximately 2.75 hours. Installing a Level 2 charger at your home in Laval ensures the vehicle is fully charged each morning when you leave for work.

The optional 60-kW DC fast-charging capability adds significant flexibility for drivers who occasionally need mid-day charging. At a public DC fast-charging station, the battery charges from 10 to 80 percent in approximately 30 minutes. This charging speed becomes valuable when your schedule includes multiple trips in a single day or when you need to maximize electric operation during an unexpectedly busy day.

DC fast charging also provides a practical solution for drivers who cannot install a Level 2 charger at home due to rental restrictions or building limitations. A 30-minute charging session at a public station near your workplace or regular destinations keeps the battery topped up without requiring overnight home charging.

Performance Beyond Electric Range

When the battery depletes or when you select certain driving modes, the 2.0 L turbocharged inline-4 engine provides primary power. This engine produces 201 hp and pairs with a 134 hp electric motor for a combined system output of 313 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque.

The combined power delivery suits highway merging, passing slower traffic, and navigating hilly terrain. The 9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic transmission manages power distribution between the electric motor and gasoline engine, selecting the most efficient power source based on driving conditions and battery charge level.

The GLC 350e maintains 4MATIC all-wheel drive regardless of which power source is active. This drivetrain continuously adjusts torque distribution to all four wheels, providing confident handling in Quebec's winter conditions and during wet weather driving.

DYNAMIC SELECT drive modes include settings specifically designed for plug-in hybrid operation. The Hybrid mode prioritizes electric propulsion for city driving and automatically activates the gasoline engine when additional power is required. ECO mode extends electric range by moderating throttle response and climate control operation. Sport mode delivers full combined power from both the electric motor and gasoline engine for more aggressive acceleration.

Evaluating Your Daily Range Requirements

Determining whether 87 km of electric range fits your needs requires examining your actual driving patterns rather than relying on estimates.

Track your daily mileage for a typical week. Record your distance for the morning commute, any mid-day trips during lunch breaks or errands, and your evening return trip. Add any additional driving for activities after work, such as picking up children from school or activities, grocery shopping, or other regular stops.

If your total daily driving consistently falls below 70 km, the GLC 350e's electric range can handle your entire day's driving when charged overnight. The buffer below the full 87 km range accounts for variables such as cold weather operation, climate control use, and highway speeds, all of which reduce the total electric range available.

For drivers whose daily mileage occasionally exceeds the electric range, evaluate how often these longer days occur. If you drive beyond 87 km only once or twice per week, the plug-in hybrid design accommodates these longer days by automatically switching to gasoline power. You'll still operate on electric power for the majority of your weekly driving while maintaining the flexibility to handle longer days without planning charging stops.

Drivers with access to workplace charging can extend their electric operation even on longer days. If you can charge the battery during the workday, you effectively double your electric range by starting the morning and afternoon commutes with a full battery.

Cold Weather Considerations

Quebec's winter temperatures affect the GLC 350e's electric range, as they do for all electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Cold weather reduces battery efficiency and increases energy consumption for cabin heating.

In temperatures below freezing, expect the electric range to decrease from the rated 87 km. The actual reduction varies based on outside temperature, whether you precondition the cabin while connected to shore power, and your climate control settings during driving.

Preconditioning the cabin while the vehicle remains plugged in reduces the energy drawn from the battery once you begin driving. The GLC 350e allows you to program cabin temperature settings through the Mercedes me connect system, ensuring the interior reaches your desired temperature before you unplug and depart.

The gasoline engine provides supplemental heating when needed, ensuring cabin comfort even when you prioritize maximizing electric range. The system can automatically activate the engine for heating purposes during extremely cold weather, then deactivate it once the cabin reaches temperature.

Comparing to Alternative Plug-In Hybrid SUVs

The GLC 350e's 87 km electric range represents the longest currently available in its compact luxury SUV segment. This range exceeds competitors' plug-in hybrid offerings, which typically provide between 40 and 65 km of electric operation.

For drivers whose daily commute fits within the GLC 350e's electric range, this advantage translates to more days operating entirely on electric power without using gasoline. For a 45 km daily commute, the GLC 350e can complete the entire trip electrically while competing plug-in hybrids with shorter ranges must activate their gasoline engines partway through the commute.

The extended electric range also provides more buffer for variables such as cold weather, highway driving, or unexpected detours while still maintaining all-electric operation. A plug-in hybrid with 50 km of electric range leaves less margin for these real-world factors that reduce the rated range.

Who Benefits Most from 87 Kilometres of Electric Range

The GLC 350e's electric range serves specific driver profiles more effectively than others.

Drivers with regular, predictable commutes under 70 km per day can operate almost entirely on electric power during weekdays while maintaining gasoline backup for weekend trips. This profile includes professionals commuting from Laval to Montreal, parents managing school runs and local errands, and anyone whose typical day involves mostly local driving.

Drivers with home charging access gain the most convenience from the plug-in hybrid design. Overnight charging ensures you begin each day with a full battery without needing to visit public charging stations or adjust your routine.

Drivers who frequently take longer trips beyond the electric range benefit from the dual-power system. Rather than managing charging stops on a long drive, you simply use gasoline power for the extended journey while reserving electric operation for your return to local driving.

Drivers without workplace charging or who rent their home and cannot install a Level 2 charger can still use the GLC 350e effectively by utilizing public charging infrastructure. The optional 60-kW DC fast-charging capability allows relatively quick charging sessions at public stations, though this requires more active planning than home charging.

Making the Decision: Is 87 km Enough?

The GLC 350e's 87 km electric range works best when it aligns with your actual daily driving distance and charging access. The plug-in hybrid design removes the anxiety of insufficient range by providing gasoline backup, but you'll maximize the value of the system when you can complete most daily driving on electric power alone.

Calculate your typical daily mileage and compare it to 70 km rather than the full 87 km rating. This conservative approach accounts for cold weather, highway speeds, and other factors that reduce electric range. If your daily distance fits comfortably below this threshold and you have reliable charging access, the GLC 350e can handle your routine driving on electric power while maintaining flexibility for longer trips.

For drivers whose commute exceeds the electric range even on most days, consider whether you have workplace charging to supplement home charging. Without mid-day charging, you'll rely on the gasoline engine more regularly, reducing the financial and environmental benefits of the plug-in hybrid system.

Experience the GLC 350e at Mercedes-Benz Laval

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e 4MATIC combines 87 km of electric range with the flexibility of a turbocharged gasoline engine for drivers in Quebec who want to reduce fuel consumption without committing to a fully electric vehicle. Book your test drive with our team at Mercedes-Benz Laval to evaluate how the GLC 350e's electric range fits your specific driving patterns and to explore the available charging options and trim configurations.