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Discussion Starter · #1 · (Edited)
Morning all, new member and just about to press the button on an EQS .

Had ordered an Audi GT but woeful service and support so have cancelled, refunded and have tested the 450+ Premium Lux and impressed.

I have one significant concern though. The documentation and reviews on line make reference to the 22kw AC port option but MB have zero documentation on-line that I can see.

Also the material I can find (car magazine reviews/videos) are split between it being a "standard" option or a "factory fit" option.

Does anyone know the answer definitely? Have you ordered one with the option? Do you have the part numbers or any documentation that would help me confirm the details?

I'd be very grateful if I could get any help at all to confirm these details. it's very hard to find so far.
 

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Discussion Starter · #3 ·
Your dealer should be able to verify this with the factory. DC is more important in my experience anyway
Good morning Dar.

Yes you would think that was an easy question to ask. It isn't. Different answers based on different and limited electrical knowledge. Same in the press, many articles saying it's an option. Several saying it's standard. This area is poorly understood in these early days.

And it is true that most people might rely on DC commercial fast charge.DC is important yes. But 3-phase 22kw charging at home means a full EQS battery in 4.5 hours. It means (for me) if you live in the middle of the UK, you can commute to central London and back each day on a single charge and have a full battery at cheapest rate by 5.00 am. That's a big advantage. And we have 3-phase 22kw installed in out home. I know it's less common in Italy, near never happens in the US and quite common in Germany.

But that choice/opinion aside, the details / part numbers / catalog graphics for this option? standard component? are something quite hard to find.
 

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The instruction manual on the USA website says "9.6 kW (AC) charging capacity" in technical specifications chapter so you should get a written agreement with dealer on charging capacity upgrade, though obviously different markets can get different standard capacity. For example one UK Mercedes dealer October 2021 brochure says 11kwh AC is standard. I think some of the Mercedes Smart cars had/have 22kwh so the tech is available on a small selection of cars but I think it is an interesting upgrade for the reason you mention. More likely suspect there is compatibility with 22kwh however charging speed may be lower
 

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Discussion Starter · #7 ·
Thirdly! Just found in Middle East (Mercedes Benz Mena) brochure 22kw AC is standard there btw
You have any links to those materials Dar? Would be interesting. The message I seem to be getting here is that it is standard but I'm still a little suspicious.

Why so? Well I had previously ordered an Etron GT in June last year and it took me months to get a clear answer from them on 22kw. I kid you not. Months, to get configuration and part numbers. Then to find that having been on order over 6 months, that Audi then decided they would not add it until order month July 2022 for MT2023! Needless to say I cancelled. It's nice but not that nice.

Mercedes have been a little clearer and are working harder but they are still vague to be honest.

Mercedes media releases mention it (like Audi did) but no technical details, part numbers, technical specs etc.
 

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Discussion Starter · #8 ·
Should say kw not kwh above!

In summary I believe the Mercedes wallbox is capable of 22 however the car can only make use of 11 from that wallbox.
It's easy to source a 22kw AC wall box charger from any number of organisations ..... Zappi, Hypervolt, Pod Point. Andersen etc. But the car port? Still inconclusive.
 

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Discussion Starter · #13 ·
For those that may be affected by the 22kw decision on the EQS then I did at last get a definitive answer from Mercedes. At least it's clarity were previously there was contradiction and waffle from dealers ...... not the answer wanted but at least a credible answer .........
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I have spoken with our Technical Team and they have confirmed that Mercedes-Benz are working on a Wallbox that will be released soon that supports 22 kW (3 phases x 230 V x 32 A): I have listed a Link below outlining this.


The Current restrictions are not that we do not currently supply a 22kW wallbox, it is that the vehicle's on-board charger is only capable of taking up to 11 kW. We will soon offer a 22 kW on-board charger, but a specific date is not yet communicated. If you wish to charge at 22 kW, this is currently not available on the vehicle side for the EQS so we would recommend that you should wait to place an order and then perhaps by then our new connected Wallbox will be available in the UK.

In relation to 'Plug & Charge', this is a Mercedes me service that means the customer only has to plug the vehicle into the charging station, no further authentication is needed.
It is available in the United Kingdom and most European countries. This can be set up and discussed with Mercedes Me directly.
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Strange about the 11kw wallbox because 22kw capacity is advertised :


 

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Discussion Starter · #15 ·
Strange about the 11kw wallbox because 22kw capacity is advertised :


And this is very much the problem. lots of media articles, lots of MB adverts but when you ask the dealers .... a. they have next to zero knowledge and b. there seems be no product actually available.

I've had the same miserable experience with Audi on their GT (now cancelled) and unfortunately now the repeat exercise with the EQS ..... lots of P.R, lots of promise, little in way of hard product.
 

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I pressed reply there by accident but when they say "Wallbox that will be released soon that supports 22 kW" I understand they just mean that it will be a better wallbox that you might as well wait for because it has better features than the existing wallbox which also supports 22kw.

That just leaves the car to need to be 22kw. As a proof of concept, and it might be quite a jump from EQS to Zoe :) , but the Renault Zoe is the main car I know, of reasonable range, with 22kw AC charging. But still only about 382km WLTP range so might need a second 22kw charger for return journey from middle England to London. Interestingly on the UK website Renault don't really highlight this feature of the car, as they suggest 7kw wallbox as if almost nobody is interested in the 22kw capability of the car which is buried in the specs of the brochure! Pre-2016 Tesla Model S might have had 22kw AC too though the ability was discontinued.
 

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Discussion Starter · #17 ·
I pressed reply there by accident but when they say "Wallbox that will be released soon that supports 22 kW" I understand they just mean that it will be a better wallbox that you might as well wait for because it has better features than the existing wallbox which also supports 22kw.

That just leaves the car to need to be 22kw. As a proof of concept, and it might be quite a jump from EQS to Zoe :) , but the Renault Zoe is the main car I know, of reasonable range, with 22kw AC charging. But still only about 382km WLTP range so might need a second 22kw charger for return journey from middle England to London. Interestingly on the UK website Renault don't really highlight this feature of the car, as they suggest 7kw wallbox as if almost nobody is interested in the 22kw capability of the car which is buried in the specs of the brochure! Pre-2016 Tesla Model S might have had 22kw AC too though the ability was discontinued.
The reason why limited uptake for Tesla is that 3-phase is unheard of in the US. And not so common here in the UK bar business premises, farms, etc .... but growing a lot. In Germany it's quite common.

the prevalence of 3-phase electrical is growing due to homes going GSHP, solar, multiple EV's. It will only grow.

But this is not the point really. Whether it's a sensible fit or not is I guess down to the consumer. But the consumer needs a clear and consistent product support / answers from the dealership. This we do not have. We have poorly trained, unfamiliar people, advising on products that they do not know about. Products costing 6 figures. They do not have the basis electrical knowledge not the product details up to date. It's extremely poor.

I should add, I purchased an EQS after checking three times with the dealer that it "could support 22kw" and three times it was checked and stated "yes". I did not believe it and have seen the same poor knowledge with Audi. I checked and I checked and I checked .... many different answers. And at last, Mercedes confirm it is NOT standard, it's NOT available yet and they do NOT know when it will be. That is the point ..... the dealers are very poorly informed and not qualified to give advise .... in this area at least. An accurate answer is the best one, even if it's disappointing. But the effort to get that clarity of answer you would not believe.

I cannot tell you how many hours and days I wasted with poor advice from these premium brands.
 

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Many review websites say the newer EQE has this mythical AC 22kw speed such as "The standard AC charging rate is 11kW, and from a charge point or wallbox rated at this power it will take eight hours and 25 minutes to replenish the battery. An optional 22kW AC on-board charger is available, reducing this time to just over four hours" -Auto Express -


To skipover the salespeople knowledge gap I have attempted an experiment of I have logged onto Mercedes UK website and asked this question in their handy chatbox to their "support team". When/if they come back to me I will post followup!
 

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Discussion Starter · #19 ·
Many review websites say the newer EQE has this mythical AC 22kw speed such as "The standard AC charging rate is 11kW, and from a charge point or wallbox rated at this power it will take eight hours and 25 minutes to replenish the battery. An optional 22kW AC on-board charger is available, reducing this time to just over four hours" -Auto Express -


To skipover the salespeople knowledge gap I have attempted an experiment of I have logged onto Mercedes UK website and asked this question in their handy chatbox to their "support team". When/if they come back to me I will post followup!
That's really interesting Dar. I did exactly that about a week ago. I did not have a high bar of expectation but this is the summary of the conversation ..... condensed but accurate in content .....

"is 22kw AC charging available on the new EQS?"

"you can charge at 220kw at certain charging stations"

"no that's DC fast charging .... I'm fine with that"

" wait a while, I will check for you"

"no problem, take your time"

"I think it is best to check with BP Pulse. Do you want their contact details?"

....... every word true but more lengthy. That was the quality of Mercedes on line support. To speak with a third party DC charging company about a question on home AC charging. I've never completed a 'live chat' feedback form with 'totally unsatisfied' before ..... this was a first.

I tried three more dealers. Not the one I purchased the car from. No one knew. No one ever got back to me. I could name names and I'm not sure why I'm not doing so.

So I called Mercedes Assist. The gentleman I spoke with assured me someone would get back. I did not believe him. But in fairness, I think these emails I got from Mercedes in the Netherlands could well of been the feedback to that call. If it is then a small amount of credibility is gained. But that amount of effort? on a £125k car? From a supposedly premium brand?

Very interested if your experience mirrors mine.
 

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Me: "Goodday. Can EQE be ordered now with optional 22kw AC charging in UK?"

A splendid chap David sent reply:

"Good Day. Until the EQE has its sales release in April this year we do not yet have that information to be able to confirm.
Apologies.
Can i assist you any further today?
.....
We can see that you have been inactive for a while now, so the chat session will close. If you would like to start another chat, please feel free to come back to our LiveChat service.
Alternatively, you can continue the conversation by replying to this email."
 
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