Electric Vehicle FAQs
From plug-in hybrids to all-electric vehicles, Mercedes-Benz offers a growing portfolio of alternative drivetrains, and with new technology comes new questions. Here are answers to some of the most common questions about electric vehicles.
Cost & Savings
Electric Vehicle Incentives
Federal – Transport Canada Website
● $5,000 available for individuals purchasing Battery Electric Vehicles with a base MSRP under $45,000 and total price including packages below $55,000 before delivery fees.
● $2,500 available for individuals purchasing Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles with a base MSRP under $45,000 and total price including packages below $55,000 before delivery fees.
● Federal incentives are stackable with any available provincial incentives.
● Separate business customer incentives are available and can't be combined with the incentives for individuals stated above. Please see Transport Canada Website for more info on the business incentive.
Provincial
British Columbia – CEVforBC Website
● $3,000 available for individuals purchasing Battery Electric Vehicles with an MSRP under $55,000.
● $1,500 available for individuals purchasing Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles.
● Carpool lane access for all Electric Vehicles.
Québec – Transition Électrique Québec Website
● $8,000 available for individuals purchasing Battery Electric Vehicles with an MSRP under $60,000.
● Up to $8,000 available for individuals purchasing Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles with an MSRP under $60,000.
● Up to a $600 rebate on home charging unit and installation
● Reserved lane access for all Electric Vehicles.
● Sign up for free toll bridges and ferry access with any Electric Vehicle.
Ontario
Last updated August 2020. Please refer to government websites for most up-to-date information.
Some small business owners using a zero-emission passenger vehicle for business purposes may be eligible for a time-limited capital cost tax deduction of up to $59,000 plus sales tax on fully electric, plug-in electric hybrids (7 kWh or greater), and hydrogen vehicles. This one-time deduction is at a rate of 100% until the end of 2023, reducing to 75% in 2024-2025, and 55% in 2026-2027.
Cannot be used in conjunction with the Federal i-ZEV incentive. Please reach out to a tax professional to determine your eligibility and discuss any limitations. More information may be found at Transport Canada Website.
You can do either. All Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles can be financed or leased.
The coverages for the HV battery is different depending on the model. The manufacturer warranty coverage for the EQB SUV is 8 yrs/160,000 kms (whichever occurs first) from the first registration date of the vehicle. However, for the EQE and EQS variants the manufacturer warranty coverage is 10 yrs/250,000 kms (whichever occurs first) from the first registration date of the vehicle.
There is a cost associated with the electricity needed to charge your vehicle but it is much cheaper than gas. Also, compared to the price of gasoline, which can fluctuate wildly, the price of electricity is relatively stable. Canadians from coast to coast pay a different price for electricity. To find out more about your rate, get in touch with your provider.
Charging
For optimum performance, it is recommended that you charge your plug-in hybrid on a regular basis - for example overnight. If there is no opportunity to charge the battery, you can still remain fully mobile thanks to the combustion engine. Through innovative radar-based technology, the system automatically adjusts the car's regenerative braking to recuperate as much energy as possible, charging the battery as you drive.
Regenerative braking adds to your charge as you drive. When the vehicle is coasting and the driver touches the brake pedal, the electric motor acts as a generator, slowing the car and pumping electric power back into the battery. Essentially, the momentum of the car is converted into extra power, extending your range as you go.
No. Though hybrid technology allows the vehicle to operate on electric power only, it's not designed to run without gasoline. You'll want to keep gas in the tank at all times, just like you would in a conventional vehicle.
You might have heard of three levels of charging electric vehicles: Level 1, Level 2 and DC fast charging. Here's what they mean:
- Level 1 charging: This is charging that takes place on a typical electric outlet. All battery-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles come with a cord set that allows them to charge this way. All of our plug-in hybrid vehicles come with a cord set that is compatible with a typical home outlet.
- Level 2 charging: This involves a hard-wired, wall-mounted unit or a cord set that's compatible with 240-volt outlets. Most public charging stations offer Level 2 charging. Some are free, while others require a paid membership.
- DC Fast Charging: This is the fastest kind of charging currently available. The amount of electricity they require makes them impractical for home use.
There are thousands of electric charging stations all across Canada, and more are popping up every day. Find charging stations near you by visiting: https://na.chargepoint.com/charge_point. Here you can see all of the charging stations in your area and plan trips knowing where you can recharge along the way.
Yes, but it's worth noting that a standard household outlet is a 120-volt outlet, which means it will take longer to charge than at a charging station with a 240-volt outlet or 220-volt connection.
It takes about 2 ½ - 3 ½ hours using a 240-volt charger for our plug-in hybrid and electric cars to go from an empty battery to a full charge. With a 120-volt charger, it takes about 4 ½ - 6 ½ hours.
Current Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles are not fast-charge capable. Part of the reason is that Level 2 charging is already so quick. In most cases, people charge at home and at work when their car is parked and they’re busy doing other things.
Every Mercedes-Benz electric vehicle has specific features to ensure safe charging. In fact, charging your vehicle is actually safer than using a household electrical device. Instead of the electricity flowing as soon as it's plugged in, like a traditional appliance, the vehicle and wallbox converse to make sure it's safe before any electricity flows. Special attention has also been paid to make sure you can safely charge in wet weather.
Battery
No. While many electronics benefit from an occasionally empty battery, the lithium-ion battery has no "memory effect," meaning they never have to be drained, nor do they have to be fully-charged. The life of the battery remains unaffected.
Lithium-ion batteries are known for being lightweight, quick to charge, and having a long service life, which makes them perfect for electric cars. They're also easily recycled. Our lithium-ion batteries are automotive grade batteries, unlike the ones that are in our mobile phones, laptops, and other devices, they are engineered for longevity.
No, a hybrid or electric vehicle is just as safe as a conventional vehicle. The battery pack is sealed, and high-voltage circuits are protected from casual contact and appropriately marked so you know where they're located. All high voltage cables and circuits are also marked and are in bright orange with warning labels on them.
The same high safety standards that define Mercedes-Benz cars apply to plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles. The batteries are all safely protected in the event of an accident, and depending on the severity of the accident, the high voltage system is automatically disconnected in fractions of a second.
Just as you would with a gas-powered vehicle, you'll need to take extra steps for the both the hybrid vehicle battery and the auxiliary battery. Instructions can be found in the operator's manual.
Since a plug-in hybrid's battery is automotive- grade, it's extremely durable and engineered for longevity and reliability. Very rarely does a plug-in hybrid battery need to be replaced during the average ownership period.
Performance
In many ways, you'll notice an improvement. Unlike gas cars, electric cars deliver power to your wheels as soon as you step on the pedal, with no lag time. The result is greater torque and acceleration. Electric vehicles are also exceptionally smooth. There's no gear shift and no shaking when idle. Most drivers are so accustomed to the constant vibration of gas vehicles that it isn't until they experience electric that they realize the remarkable difference.