The electric luxury model EQS and the business saloon EQE kicked things off and now Mercedes-Benz plug-in hybrids of the current generation are also being equipped with Plug & Charge in combination with the Mercedes me connect service, Mercedes me Charge. Mercedes-Benz is one of the first car manufacturers to offer this function for plug-in hybrids, making the convenient authentication option available to a wider range of customers. Charging and payment are even easier for customers with Plug & Charge, as it eliminates the need for manual authentication. The charging station communicates directly with the vehicle, provided that the respective public charging station is compatible with Plug & Charge.Drive to the charging station, open the flap, plug in – and the power starts to flow. Fiddling with a charging card, app or head unit for authentication is now a thing of the past. This is made possible by the integrated communication between the vehicle and the charging station via the charging cable. The ISO 15118 standard ensures that the communication between the vehicle and the infrastructure, as well as the stored contract data, are protected against manipulation. The vehicle and the charging station must both work according to this standard. Everything else is handled automatically through the Mercedes me connect service, Mercedes me Charge. Customers only need to have their active charging contract stored in Mercedes me Charge.Anyone who already drives a current C-Class or S-Class plug-in hybrid will be able to enjoy the new and uncomplicated charging solution. An OTA update installs the necessary certificates in the vehicle without requiring any further action. With this, the company that invented the automobile is emphasising its aspiration to play a leading role not only in electric driving, but also in vehicle software. In addition to the current C‑Class and S-Class, which allow for Plug & Charge via OTA update, the new GLC supports Plug & Charge ex‑factory. For this, the plug-in hybrids need to be equipped with the optional direct-current charging system (DC charging) and the customer needs to activate the Plug & Charge service in the overview of services.The charging station details in the head unit or in the Mercedes me App show whether a charging station is compatible with Plug & Charge. Customers can also search specifically for suitable charging stations. Plug & Charge is the fourth and most convenient charging access option. In addition, customers have the option of accessing charging via MBUX in the vehicle’s head unit, in the Mercedes me App, or via the Mercedes me Charge charging card.Plug & Charge is available at over 1,800 IONITY fast charging points in Europe and at Aral pulse fast charging points in Germany. In Germany alone, there are around 700 Aral pulse charging points, and the network is continuously growing and expanding – including beyond Germany. Mercedes-Benz and the charging network operators are always working to extend Plug & Charge to further charging stations.
The electric luxury model EQS and the business saloon EQE kicked things off and now Mercedes-Benz plug-in hybrids of the current generation are also being equipped with Plug & Charge in combination with the Mercedes me connect service, Mercedes me Charge. Mercedes-Benz is one of the first car manufacturers to offer this function for plug-in hybrids, making the convenient authentication option available to a wider range of customers. Charging and payment are even easier for customers with Plug & Charge, as it eliminates the need for manual authentication. The charging station communicates directly with the vehicle, provided that the respective public charging station is compatible with Plug & Charge.Drive to the charging station, open the flap, plug in – and the power starts to flow. Fiddling with a charging card, app or head unit for authentication is now a thing of the past. This is made possible by the integrated communication between the vehicle and the charging station via the charging cable. The ISO 15118 standard ensures that the communication between the vehicle and the infrastructure, as well as the stored contract data, are protected against manipulation. The vehicle and the charging station must both work according to this standard. Everything else is handled automatically through the Mercedes me connect service, Mercedes me Charge. Customers only need to have their active charging contract stored in Mercedes me Charge.Anyone who already drives a current C-Class or S-Class plug-in hybrid will be able to enjoy the new and uncomplicated charging solution. An OTA update installs the necessary certificates in the vehicle without requiring any further action. With this, the company that invented the automobile is emphasising its aspiration to play a leading role not only in electric driving, but also in vehicle software. In addition to the current C‑Class and S-Class, which allow for Plug & Charge via OTA update, the new GLC supports Plug & Charge ex‑factory. For this, the plug-in hybrids need to be equipped with the optional direct-current charging system (DC charging) and the customer needs to activate the Plug & Charge service in the overview of services.The charging station details in the head unit or in the Mercedes me App show whether a charging station is compatible with Plug & Charge. Customers can also search specifically for suitable charging stations. Plug & Charge is the fourth and most convenient charging access option. In addition, customers have the option of accessing charging via MBUX in the vehicle’s head unit, in the Mercedes me App, or via the Mercedes me Charge charging card.Plug & Charge is available at over 1,800 IONITY fast charging points in Europe and at Aral pulse fast charging points in Germany. In Germany alone, there are around 700 Aral pulse charging points, and the network is continuously growing and expanding – including beyond Germany. Mercedes-Benz and the charging network operators are always working to extend Plug & Charge to further charging stations.
