Mercedes-Benz Canada announces new Mercedes-EQ charging strategy

2022 EQS 580 w FLO Home X5 – Mockup (CNW Group/Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc.)

TORONTO — On Jul. 27, Mercedes-Benz Canada announced the next phase of its electric plan – a comprehensive EV charging strategy that will ensure Mercedes-EQ drivers can enjoy a digitally-integrated, convenient charging experience, both at-home and across Canada.

Together with its charging partners, Mercedes-Benz Canada announced the Mercedes me Charge, the official charging ecosystem enabled by ChargePoint. This charging ecosystem will benefit drivers of the EQS and other future electric mobility products.

At launch, Mercedes-EQ drivers will have access to more than 4,900 public charging ports across Canada, making up more than half of the country’s networked public charging ports. Through a strategic partnership with ChargePoint, drivers will have access to places to charge with ChargePoint, FLO® and other charging providers in Canada. In an industry first, the Mercedes me Charge ecosystem can also provide drivers access to an additional network of more than 2,400 semi-public ports on the ChargePoint network that reside in access-controlled environments like workplaces, shopping malls and hotels.

Once an EQS driver creates their Mercedes me account and activates their Mercedes me Charge service, they gain access to find, use and pay for all charging opportunities available to them, without having to set up an account with each network, subscribe to additional services or carry various charging cards. Mercedes me Charge customers also benefit from the integrated payment function, which allows for automatic payment. The customer chooses the preferred payment method only once. Customers will be able to use their Mercedes me App, in-car navigation system, or tap their Mercedes me Charge card to authenticate and pay at any of the charging stations available.

Navigation with Electric Intelligence plans the fastest and most convenient route for drivers, including charging stops, and reacts dynamically to traffic jams, changes to driving style and even how busy a particular charging station will be in-real time, or in advance of the trip. A new feature of the EQS is a visual cue in the MBUX infortainment system that shows whether the available battery capacity is sufficient to return to the starting point without charging.

Green power, more specifically electricity from renewable resources, is a significant factor in the lifecycle of an electric car as a means of avoiding CO2 emissions. The CO2 footprint of a battery-electric vehicle is largely comprised of the energy provided to the vehicle during its use by the customer and is dependent on how that energy is produced. It is difficult to discern whether a public charging station sources green electricity or electricity from non-renewable resources. Because of this, Mercedes-Benz utilizes a Green Charging feature which ensures that an equivalent amount of electricity from renewable resources is fed into the grid for charging electric vehicles. This creates more demand for renewable energy which promotes further development of green power sources. Mercedes-Benz therefore provides Green Charging at public charging points in the Mercedes me Charge network.

Mercedes-Benz Canada has partnered with FLO and Qmerit to provide a premium home charging experience. Based in Québec City, FLO designs and manufactures EV charging solutions. The FLO Home X5 includes smart charging features (automatic updates, programmable charging times, etc.), a carbon finish to its NEMA 4X aluminum die-cast shell and a 4-year limited warranty for customers. Designed and manufactured in Canada, this home charging station is built and certified to sustain temperatures down to -40°C.

Qmerit provides home charging installation services, and is a trusted and experienced partner to automakers and charging companies in both Canada and the U.S. The online experience is meant to be seamless for the customer, allowing for a quick step-by-step process in which the customer can take a few photos and receive a quote, without even being visited by an electrician.

“Mercedes-Benz Canada is pairing the exciting upcoming Mercedes-EQ product lineup with the very best electric ecosystem, so Mercedes-EQ drivers can experience peace of mind and convenience on their electric driving journey. Through partnerships with established charging experts, Mercedes me Charge offers drivers widespread charging coverage from coast-to-coast, along with seamless navigation and green charging options. Whether at-home or on Canadian roads, Mercedes-EQ drivers will experience modern electric luxury every step of the way.” said Eva Wiese, President and CEO, Mercedes-Benz Canada.