Mercedes Benz Charging as Alternative to Tesla

[Rivianero]

Hey, I stopped at the Buc-ee's in New Braunfels TX this evening to charge at the 20+ Tesla superchargers. This is a common stop for me between Austin and San Antonio on long drive days. I've had qualms about putting $$ in Tesla's pockets, but the reliability and pricing differences make using the 4 nearby Electrify America chargers less desirable.

Anyway, I drove right past a new bank of Mercedes Benz CCS chargers at that same Buc-ee's (10 stations total). I tried plug and charge, authenticating with the apps on my phone via NFC, but neither worked. Credit card worked fine, however, and it started right up, delivering up to 200kW peak, or 508 miles per hour as reported by my R1T. That might be the fastest I have ever charged. Overall a very nice experience. Will be stopping here in the future.

They have a listed "welcome rate" of 40¢ per kW.

I couldn't find out much about the MB charging network (specifically what charging apps they support or what vehicles enjoy plug and charge) but this link at least shows locations (which didn't appear in my Rivian navigation).

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[Donald Stanfield]

I’ve used it several times and it’s been reliable each time.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

https://www.mbusa.com/en/ev-charging-stations

Mercedes is also part of IONNA, a joint venture with 8 other automakers. Very few locations right now, all on the east coast.

Plug and charge, involving Rivian, would require coordination with Rivian... since universal P&C isn't a standard yet.

 

[hammick]

https://www.mbusa.com/en/ev-charging-stations

Mercedes is also part of IONNA, a joint venture with 8 other automakers. Very few locations right now, all on the east coast.

Plug and charge, involving Rivian, would require coordination with Rivian... since universal P&C isn't a standard yet.

Hays, Kansas has a new Ionna.

 

[MikeWilliams_R1T]

The Bucees locations in Crossville and Sevierville TN have them along with Tesla chargers.

The one in Crossvillle, I’ve used a few times over the last year. The price there was all over the place. It’s varied from .40ish per kW to .70.

The one in Sevierville is new and also was still around 40 cents last I checked.

I would 100% pick these over the v3 Tesla chargers at Bucees, assuming the price was close. Just skipping the hassle of not blocking two spots and messing with an adapter is an upside.

But not if it’s 25 cents more per KW.

 

[RivianRiverRat]

The Bucee's at Lindsey Lane and I-65 south of Athens AL has both also
The MB is ChargePoint at $0.50
The V4 Tesla is $0.44

 

[MikeWilliams_R1T]

The Bucee's at Lindsey Lane and I-65 south of Athens AL has both also
The MB is ChargePoint at $0.50
The V4 Tesla is $0.44

That’s right in the price difference range where I would *consider* going with the MB charger. On the other hand, if it’s a V4 charger, not putting the adapter on is the only added value MB is offering us.

 

[therealcmj]

I used the Buc-ees in Florence SC along 95 on a recent trip and paid via Chargepoint. The receipt shows 54c.

 

[Riviot]

Very few locations right now, all on the east coast.

 

[zymolysis]

They indicate there will be a future location(s) in the Phoenix area. Perhaps it will be at the future Buc-ees that is scheduled in west metro Phoenix (Buckeye?). It was originally scheduled to open this year, but it has been pushed back until 2026.

 

[Rivianero]

Couple of quick updates:

1. I noticed that Rivian navigation showed the MB chargers the day after I made this post. Think that means I somehow missed that and made a mistake about the listing.
2. As of today, I see that they changed our every other CCS port with a NACS port. Oddly enough, hey chose to make the right hand port the NACS, which is both wrong for Rivian and Tesla. Strangely this also changed the order of operations as displayed on the charger screen; you now plug in first, then pay, then confirm the charging port. I suppose that this is to support plug-and-charge where it is possible.

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