Earlier today, Mercedes announced the 2014 B-Class Electric Drive will cost $41,450 when it goes on sale in the US later this summer. Based on the B-Class European hatchback model, the Electric Drive variant will only be sold in North America.

The Mercedes Benz B-Class Electric Drive’s closest rival is the 2014 BMW i3 that just recently hit US shores. At $42,275 after destination charges, the BMW i3 is $100 cheaper than the B-Class’s $42,375 with destination. The biggest difference between the two vehicles is that the BMW i3 comes with an optional $3850 range extender that provides up to 200 miles of range.

The BMW i3 is a carbon-fiber chassis 4 seat city car, while the B-Class Electric drive can seat 5, has ample cargo space, and seems better suited to short jaunts out of the city.

Covered by an 8-year, 100,000 mile battery warranty, and no-cost annual maintenance and roadside assistance, the Mercedes-Benz Electric Vehicle makes an appealing case.

Full details on the vehicle’s 50 state rollout have not yet been released, but Mercedes-Benz has been saying all along that the B-Class Electric Drive will first go on sale in California, Oregon, Massachusetts, New York, Vermont, Maryland, Connecticut, and Rhode Island before it’s released in all 50 states by early 2015.