Mercedes vs Tesla Supercharging (which should I pick?)

[rodhx]

I prefer the Mercedes-branded Chargepoints to Tesla. I use them whenever I stop at Bucee's.

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[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

The Benz chargers are really cool engineering. Retractable arms, retractable cable guides, easy screens, NACS + CCS in 1 unit. Which is is cheaper, then open.

https://mercedesbenzhpc.com/ If it's one of these pictured, it's an Alpitronic HYC400 that MB bought and rebranded. It's the same unit Ionna uses (which is a JV between MB and a few other automakers).

 

[lefkonj]

https://mercedesbenzhpc.com/ If it's one of these pictured, it's an Alpitronic HYC400 that MB bought and rebranded. It's the same unit Ionna uses (which is a JV between MB and a few other automakers).

that is my understanding of the hardware. It is the best solution I have encountered so far.

 

[RedRaiderRivian]

that is my understanding of the hardware. It is the best solution I have encountered so far.

Yes. Better hardware and more reliable cable cooling which means they don't derate like the Tesla V3 units. I had a V3 unit at Buc-ees derate to 110 KW last night and my battery was only at 35%. Luckily I only needed to charge to 50% to make it home.

 

[DCFC]

Tesla V3 has a really small cable cooling system which means the cable will get hotter faster and derate sooner. The V4 is cooling system is much bigger. V4 vs Alpitronic, I'd say it's a wash on cooling performance. Personally, I avoid Tesla unless there is nothing else with 20 miles.

 

[azbill]

Is the Tesla price with or without the charging membership discount? If it were me, I'd go to whichever is cheapest first. You also might not have a choice if the Mercedes one doesn't have NACS connectors and/or you don't have an adapter OR if the Mercedes stalls are all taken. Either way, it's a good position to be in with such options.

Mercedes has NACS and CCS. Some of there shared chargers even have two CCS and two NACS plugs.

 

[beatle]

For me charging is all about amenities and logistics.

I hate driving more than a few minutes off the freeway to charge. For some reason lots of DC fast chargers along I-5 are at least 5-10 minutes off the freeway. Any longer than that and I become annoyed. Unless food is involved and I can eat while I charge at a place close to the charging station.

The other time bound issue I consider is how long it takes to get the charger to work - Tesla and RAN plug and play is perfect. I don't want to spend twenty minutes downloading an app, pre-paying with a credit card, trying to get the charger to recognize the app-specific card in my apple wallet, on and on and on. It's the modern equivalent to spending a few cents more a gallon to fill up at the empty Chevron station across the street from an AMPM with a line of cars out onto the street.

Pretty much this. Even being a cheap bastard who typically eschews things like toll roads, I don't really look at the price of DCFC. I like being able to find something I like to eat and use the bathroom. This is especially important to check for holidays and off-hours. Some spots are at a mall which are useless at night. Bonus points for RAN, Tesla, EA, and Ionna which support plug and charge. No app or even credit card swiping needed, though you do need the app if you're using a Tesla membership.

Hot take on Buc-ee's: it's overrated. The bathrooms are indeed excellent, and there is a giant variety of snacks, but the hot food is just "fine" and they have no tables where you can sit down to eat it - you have to eat in your car. Definitely a lot more comfortable in an EV, but really I'd prefer not to have to eat in it.

 

[RedRaiderRivian]

Pretty much this. Even being a cheap bastard who typically eschews things like toll roads, I don't really look at the price of DCFC. I like being able to find something I like to eat and use the bathroom. This is especially important to check for holidays and off-hours. Some spots are at a mall which are useless at night. Bonus points for RAN, Tesla, EA, and Ionna which support plug and charge. No app or even credit card swiping needed, though you do need the app if you're using a Tesla membership.

Hot take on Buc-ee's: it's overrated. The bathrooms are indeed excellent, and there is a giant variety of snacks, but the hot food is just "fine" and they have no tables where you can sit down to eat it - you have to eat in your car. Definitely a lot more comfortable in an EV, but really I'd prefer not to have to eat in it.

I agree it is annoying to not have tables. I just turn it into a picnic on the tailgate of my adventure vehicle.

 

[Zathras]

If charging and price are close, which ahs the best food nearby, and how easy is it to get back on your way?

 

[Thebandit]

Hot take on Buc-ee's: it's overrated.

First of all.

How dare you.

 

[Erik+]

Tesla V3 has a really small cable cooling system which means the cable will get hotter faster and derate sooner. The V4 is cooling system is much bigger. V4 vs Alpitronic, I'd say it's a wash on cooling performance. Personally, I avoid Tesla unless there is nothing else with 20 miles.

This is definitely important to note on the V3 vs V4s for charging speed. I don't have the data to back it up, but sometimes it seems like when I have used either Tesla system without the subscription, I get significantly less peak and sustained kW, and if I am on a road trip and have the subscription, their chargers almost never de-rate. Might just be imaginary though.

 

[buddha2lotus]

There is a Buccee’s on my route I travel between Nashville and Atlanta and I like to stop there.

I am getting my R2 soon and will have the option of charging there with the Tesla Superchargers or the Mercedes Benz Superchargers as that location has both.

The Tesla one is $0.56/kwh and the Mercedes one is $0.49/kwh.

Is one better to use than the other? Which should I choose? MB seems cheaper and same charge speed so sounds like the obvious answer but not sure if I am missing something since I am new to the EV world.

I have used both and I much prefer Mercedes because they have both plugs. Payment is super easy because they have a card reader right there and they are generally faster than Tesla. Because I have a Gen 1 R1S, I don’t ever have to hassle with the adapter sometimes getting stuck with a Tesla charger. And the price is really reasonable.

 

[rodhx]

I have used both and I much prefer Mercedes because they have both plugs. Payment is super easy because they have a card reader right there and they are generally faster than Tesla. Because I have a Gen 1 R1S, I don’t ever have to hassle with the adapter sometimes getting stuck with a Tesla charger. And the price is really reasonable.

SHHHHH!!!!! Everyone knows Superchargers are the only ones you should ever use. Mercedes doesn’t even make chargers. They just rebrand units from other networks. Never use those when traveling!

(see…if you always respond as above you can help keep our preferred Mercedes chargers easily available for when we stop at Bucee’s. )

 

[buddha2lotus]

SHHHHH!!!!! Everyone knows Superchargers are the only ones you should ever use. Mercedes doesn’t even make chargers. They just rebrand units from other networks. Never use those when traveling!

(see…if you always respond as above you can help keep our preferred Mercedes chargers easily available for when we stop at Bucee’s. )

Oh right!! I think I had a fugue and didn’t know what I was saying. You’re absolutely right, Tesla’s are much better!!! Forget what I wrote

 

[Rivianero]

Have to append my response by adding that the MB chargers are often less crowded at our Buc-ee's and I am especially grateful that there are never any Tesla owners at the MB chargers.

We have been in Europe for a few months (Tesla charging network is also very reliable here, although Tesla.owners think spots are for parking not charging) and I just can't tell you how wonderful it is not to have seen a single cybertruck the whole time.

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