Mercedes S 560e Charging Guide: Home Charging, Public Charging and Cable Selection

The Mercedes S 560e is a plug-in hybrid version of the long-wheelbase S-Class luxury saloon. It is not a fully electric vehicle: it combines a 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine with a 90 kW electric motor and a relatively compact high-voltage battery. For many used-car buyers, that makes charging simple, but it also means the S 560e needs to be understood differently from a modern battery-electric car.

In UK-market material from the 2019-era S-Class, the S 560 e L is listed with a 7.2 kW AC on-board charger and an official WLTP Equivalent All-Electric Range of around 26.1 to 27.3 miles. The charging approach is therefore based around frequent top-ups at home, at work or on public AC posts, rather than en-route rapid charging. If you are choosing a cable for a used S 560e, the key point is that this is a Type 2 AC-only plug-in hybrid.

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Mercedes S 560e Battery and Charging Specifications

The Mercedes S 560e, also written as S 560 e or S 560 e L in some official material, belongs to the W222/V222 facelift generation of the S-Class plug-in hybrid. It was sold in the UK around the 2018 to 2020 period and should not be confused with the newer W223-generation S-Class plug-in hybrids, such as the S 450 e L and S 580 e 4MATIC L, which have different charging specifications.

For the S 560e, the most useful charging figures are:

Vehicle type: plug-in hybrid petrol-electric S-Class, not a battery-electric vehicle.
Charging connector: Type 2 for AC charging.
DC rapid charging: not supported; no CCS rapid-charging capability is listed for this model.
AC on-board charger: 7.2 kW in UK S-Class price and specification material.
Official electric range: approximately 26.1 to 27.3 miles WLTP Equivalent All-Electric Range, depending on specification.
Charging socket location: owner material places the charging socket on the right-hand side of the rear bumper.

Because this is an older luxury plug-in hybrid with a modest electric range by modern standards, charging convenience matters more than headline public charging speed. A suitable Type 2 cable and a regular parking place with charging access will make the biggest difference to day-to-day use.

Battery Options

The S 560e uses a lithium-ion plug-in hybrid battery. Mercedes-Benz launch material refers to a 13.5 kWh rated battery, while an S-Class plug-in hybrid owner supplement lists a 13.8 kWh gross energy content for the S 560 e. A clear UK usable-capacity figure is not consistently stated in the available material, so it is best not to compare it directly with modern EV usable battery figures.

There was not a choice of multiple battery sizes in the way there often is with full battery-electric cars. For practical ownership, the important point is that the S 560e has enough battery capacity for short electric journeys, local running and low-speed urban driving, while the petrol engine remains central for longer journeys and high-speed motorway use.

AC Charging Speed

The Mercedes S 560e is best matched to a 7 kW home wallbox or a public AC charging post. UK specification material lists a 7.2 kW on-board charger, so a normal single-phase UK home charger is effectively the appropriate maximum-speed domestic charging setup for this vehicle.

Charging power is limited by the car’s on-board charger. That means plugging the S 560e into a higher-rated AC post will not make it charge beyond its own AC limit. For example, a 22 kW three-phase public post may be convenient if it is available, but the S 560e will still charge at up to around 7.2 kW rather than at 22 kW.

Mercedes owner and launch material quotes a charging time of around 1 hour 30 minutes from a high-power AC wallbox or Mode 3 charging source, although exact times vary depending on the starting battery level, target charge level, temperature and charging equipment. In everyday use, the practical message is simple: the S 560e can usually be topped up in a relatively short parking session compared with a large battery-electric car.

DC Rapid Charging Speed

DC rapid charging is not relevant to the Mercedes S 560e. Professional review material and charging references for this model indicate that it does not have DC fast-charger compatibility. It should therefore not be treated like a CCS-equipped electric car, and there is no meaningful 10-80% rapid-charging time to quote.

If you are planning a long journey, the S 560e should be used as a plug-in hybrid: start with a charged battery where possible, use the electric range for suitable parts of the journey, and rely on the petrol engine when the battery charge is depleted or when motorway driving makes electric-only operation less efficient. Chasing motorway rapid chargers is not part of the ownership pattern for this model.

Range and Efficiency

The UK WLTP Equivalent All-Electric Range for the S 560 e L is approximately 26.1 to 27.3 miles. That figure is useful for comparison, but real-world electric range will vary. Cold weather, higher speeds, tyre choice, battery age, traffic conditions and cabin heating or cooling use can all affect how far the car travels before the petrol engine is needed.

For many owners, the best use case is daily local mileage: commuting, school runs, town driving and short errands. If those journeys fit within the electric range and the car is charged frequently, the S 560e can complete a meaningful amount of its routine driving on electric power. If it is rarely plugged in, it becomes a heavy petrol luxury saloon carrying hybrid hardware without gaining much electric benefit.

Charging at Home

Home charging is the most convenient way to run a Mercedes S 560e as intended. A 7 kW wallbox is well matched to the car’s 7.2 kW on-board charger and gives a predictable overnight or between-journey top-up. Because the battery is much smaller than in a full EV, you do not need very long charging sessions to restore a useful amount of electric range.

If your home charger is untethered, you will need a Type 2 Mode 3 charging cable. Many public AC posts also require the same type of cable, so it is usually the most important cable for S 560e ownership. A tethered home charger with its own fixed Type 2 lead removes the need to use your own cable at home, but you may still want one in the boot for public AC charging.

Domestic 3-pin charging should be approached carefully. A 3-pin EV charger is generally best suited as a backup or occasional charging solution, but can be used regularly if a qualified electrician has confirmed the socket and electrical installation are suitable for sustained EV charging. Follow Mercedes-Benz safety guidance: use approved charging equipment, avoid extension leads and adapters unless they are specifically approved, and have any regularly used socket checked for condition, rating and suitability.

Public Charging

For public charging, focus on AC charge points with Type 2 sockets. These are common in car parks, hotels, workplaces, supermarkets and town-centre locations. The S 560e’s smaller plug-in hybrid battery means useful charging can happen during a meal, meeting, shopping trip or a few hours parked at work.

A higher-powered AC post does not guarantee faster charging if the car cannot accept the additional power. A 22 kW public AC socket is perfectly usable with a suitable Type 2 cable, but the car’s 7.2 kW on-board charger remains the limiting factor. Likewise, DC rapid chargers are not appropriate for this model, because the S 560e does not support DC rapid charging.

When using public posts, remember that many networks charge by time, energy used, parking duration or a combination of these. With a plug-in hybrid, it is often best to charge where the car will be parked anyway, rather than making a dedicated stop solely to add a small amount of electric range.

Vehicle-Specific Features

The S 560e was designed to bring plug-in hybrid capability to the S-Class luxury format rather than to operate as a long-range electric car. Mercedes-Benz launch material describes features such as pre-entry cabin climate control, ECO Assist, gliding and recuperation functions. These systems are intended to improve comfort and energy use during normal driving.

Recuperation helps recover some energy during deceleration, while the hybrid system can blend electric assistance with petrol power depending on conditions. However, the battery still needs to be charged from an external AC source if you want to make the most of electric driving. The charging socket position on the right-hand side of the rear bumper is also worth remembering when choosing how to park next to a home charger or public post.

Charging Tips

Use a Type 2 Mode 3 cable: this is the key cable for untethered home wallboxes and most public AC posts.
Choose charging convenience over peak power: the car’s AC charging limit means a normal 7 kW home charger is well suited.
Do not rely on DC rapid chargers: the S 560e is AC-only for plug-in charging.
Top up little and often: regular short charging sessions suit the plug-in hybrid battery well.
Keep the petrol engine in mind: longer journeys are handled by the hybrid system, not by public rapid charging stops.
Check used-car accessories: if buying a used S 560e, confirm which charging cables are included and that they are in good condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Mercedes S 560e fully electric?

No. The Mercedes S 560e is a plug-in hybrid. It has an electric motor and a rechargeable battery, but it also has a 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine. It can drive on electric power for shorter journeys, but it is not a battery-electric vehicle.

What charging cable does the Mercedes S 560e use?

The S 560e uses Type 2 AC charging. A Type 2 Mode 3 cable is recommended for public AC posts and untethered home chargers.

Can the Mercedes S 560e use a rapid charger?

No. The S 560e should not be routed to DC rapid chargers, as this model is not listed with DC fast-charging or CCS compatibility. Use Type 2 AC charging instead.

Will a 22 kW cable or charger make the S 560e charge at 22 kW?

No. The car’s on-board AC charger is listed at 7.2 kW, so a higher-rated AC post will not make the vehicle charge at 22 kW. A higher-rated cable may still be physically usable where compatible, but it will not increase the car’s maximum AC charging rate.

How far can the Mercedes S 560e drive on electric power?

UK specification material lists a WLTP Equivalent All-Electric Range of about 26.1 to 27.3 miles for the S 560 e L. Real-world range can be lower or higher depending on driving style, temperature, road type, cabin climate use and battery condition.

What This Means for Drivers

The Mercedes S 560e makes most sense when treated as a used luxury plug-in hybrid that rewards regular charging. It is not designed around motorway rapid charging and it should not be compared with newer S-Class plug-in hybrids or full electric cars that have larger batteries and DC charging capability.

For daily ownership, the ideal setup is straightforward: a 7 kW home wallbox where possible, a suitable Type 2 Mode 3 cable for untethered home and public AC charging, and a habit of topping up whenever the car is parked for a useful period. Used this way, the S 560e can cover many shorter journeys electrically while still offering petrol flexibility for longer trips.

Looking for a Charging Cable for Mercedes S 560e?

If you need a cable for an untethered home charger or public AC charging, choose a compatible Type 2 charging cable for the Mercedes S 560e and focus on reliable everyday top-ups rather than DC rapid charging.