Mercedes-Benz EQS Charging at Tesla Supercharger

Mercedes-Benz EQS Charger Won't Start a Session

You connected the CCS2 cable to your EQS's right rear charge port, but the Hyperscreen shows no charging activity. No power flowing, no progress. This is frustrating, especially in a flagship sedan where everything should just work. The cause is usually authentication, cable seating, or the charger itself, not the EQS.

Symptoms

• CCS2 connector plugged in but the Hyperscreen shows no charging activity
• Charger screen displays an error or stays idle after authentication attempt
• Plug & Charge does not authenticate automatically at a supported station
• Charge port LED does not illuminate or blinks an error pattern
• Mercedes me app shows the EQS as connected but not charging

What to Do

1. 1

   Remove and firmly reseat the CCS2 connector

   Pull the connector out of the right rear charge port. Check for debris or moisture. Push it back in straight and firm until you hear a click and see the charge port LED respond. The CCS2 connector is heavy, so support it with both hands to ensure proper alignment.

2. 2

   Authenticate manually if Plug & Charge failed

   Open the charging network's app and start the session by scanning the QR code or selecting the charger. If you have an RFID card for this network, tap it on the reader. Do not wait for Plug & Charge if it did not work within 30 seconds.

3. 3

   Disable scheduled charging in MBUX

   On the Hyperscreen, open Settings, then Charging. Turn off any departure time or scheduled charging window. At a public charger, you want charging to start immediately. Re-enable scheduled charging when you are back at your home wallbox.

4. 4

   Lock and unlock the EQS to reset the charge controller

   Use the key or Mercedes me app to lock the car. Wait 15 seconds, then unlock. This resets the charge port locking mechanism and the onboard charging communication module. Reconnect the cable after unlocking.

5. 5

   Try a different connector or charger at the station

   If the station has multiple CCS2 connectors, try a different one. If the entire station seems unresponsive, use MBUX navigation to find another nearby charger. Report the faulty charger through the network's app.

Mercedes-Benz EQS Payment Failed at Charging Station

You are standing next to your EQS at a public charger and payment will not go through. Plug & Charge did not activate, the app shows an error, or your card was declined. Payment failures are one of the most common reasons charging sessions do not start. With the EQS, you have multiple authentication options to try before giving up.

Symptoms

• Plug & Charge does not authenticate when the CCS2 cable is connected
• Contactless card declined at the charger's payment terminal
• Mercedes me Charge or the network's app shows a payment error
• RFID card not recognized by the charger reader
• Session starts but stops immediately with a billing-related error

What to Do

1. 1

   Try Plug & Charge by connecting the cable

   Plug the CCS2 connector into the EQS's right rear charge port. Wait up to 30 seconds for Plug & Charge to authenticate. Check the Hyperscreen for a charging confirmation. If nothing happens after 30 seconds, Plug & Charge is not working at this station.

2. 2

   Use the charging network's app to start the session

   Open the app for the charging network shown on the charger. Scan the QR code or enter the charger ID. Start the session through the app. Verify your payment method in the app is valid and not expired.

3. 3

   Try contactless payment at the charger terminal

   If the charger has a contactless payment terminal, tap your bank card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. If the first card is declined, try a different one. Some terminals accept only certain card brands.

4. 4

   Verify your Mercedes me Charge account

   Open the Mercedes me app. Go to Charge settings and check that Plug & Charge is enabled and your payment method is current. If you recently changed your payment method, it may need time to sync. Try restarting the Mercedes me app.

5. 5

   Try a different RFID card or roaming provider

   If you carry multiple RFID cards, try another network. Roaming providers with broad European coverage (Chargemap, Maingau, Shell Recharge) can fill gaps where Mercedes me Charge does not reach.

6. 6

   Find an alternative charger nearby

   If payment fails on this charger entirely, use the Hyperscreen to find another station nearby. A different charging network may accept your payment method. Filter by the networks you know work with your cards.

Mercedes-Benz EQS Charging Slower Than Expected

You plugged in your EQS at a 300 kW charger expecting close to 200 kW, but the Hyperscreen shows 50 kW. Or your home wallbox is stuck at 3.6 kW instead of 11 kW (or 22 kW if you have the optional upgrade). The EQS has a huge 118 kWh battery that can take a while to warm up. Slow charging is almost always temperature, state of charge, or the charger, not a defect.

Symptoms

• DC fast charging speed well below the 200 kW maximum shown on the Hyperscreen
• AC charging stuck at 3-4 kW instead of 11 kW or 22 kW
• Charging speed drops sharply after reaching 50-60% state of charge
• Charging session starts at reasonable speed but slows within minutes
• The 118 kWh battery takes significantly longer to charge than expected

What to Do

1. 1

   Route to the charger using MBUX navigation

   Enter the charging station as your destination on the Hyperscreen or MBUX. This activates automatic battery preconditioning for the 118 kWh pack. The EQS will display a preconditioning notification. Given the large battery, start routing at least 20-30 minutes before arrival for maximum benefit in cold weather.

2. 2

   Check your state of charge before expecting peak speed

   The EQS reaches 200 kW only at lower state of charge levels. For the fastest DC charging, arrive between 10-20%. If you are above 60%, the speed reduction is normal. With 580 km of range, you often do not need to charge above 80% on road trips.

3. 3

   Verify the charger can deliver the speed you expect

   Check the charger's rated output on the unit itself or in the charging app. A 50 kW charger will never give your EQS more than 50 kW. Look for chargers rated 150 kW or higher to take advantage of the EQS's capabilities. Avoid stalls paired with another vehicle.

4. 4

   Check AC charging settings and wallbox compatibility

   Open the charging settings in MBUX. Confirm the charge current is set to maximum. If you have the optional 22 kW onboard charger, verify your wallbox is 3-phase 32A. For the standard 11 kW charger, you need at least 3-phase 16A.

5. 5

   Check if Plug & Charge negotiated the correct power

   The EQS supports Plug & Charge. Occasionally, authentication issues cause the charger to default to a lower power tier. Unplug from the right rear charge port, wait 30 seconds, and reconnect. Check MBUX for any authentication errors.

6. 6

   Try a different charger

   If the speed is still low after checking all settings, try a different charger. Some chargers degrade over time. Use MBUX navigation or the Mercedes me app to find a high-power charger (150 kW+) nearby.

Non-Tesla vehicle cannot find the station in the Tesla app

You arrive at a Supercharger with your non-Tesla EV but the station does not appear in the Tesla app, or it shows as Tesla-only.

Symptoms

• Tesla app shows the station but does not list it as open to other brands
• Station appears on the map but the 'Start Charging' button is grayed out
• App says 'This location is not available for your vehicle'
• You can see other non-Tesla vehicles charging but the app will not let you start

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Confirm the station is open to non-Tesla vehicles

   Not all Supercharger locations are open to other brands. In the Tesla app, look for stations marked with a label indicating non-Tesla access. If there is no such label, the station is Tesla-only.

2. 2

   Update the Tesla app

   Tesla frequently adds new non-Tesla locations. If your app is outdated, recently opened stations may not appear as accessible. Update to the latest version.

3. 3

   Check your Tesla account setup

   You need a Tesla account with a valid payment method added, even if you do not own a Tesla. Open the app, go to your account settings, and confirm a credit or debit card is saved.

4. 4

   Try selecting the specific stall number

   After plugging in, open the Tesla app, select the station, and tap the stall number that matches the one you plugged into. The stall number is printed on the charger post.

5. 5

   Restart the Tesla app

   Force-close and reopen the app. Location and station data sometimes fails to load correctly on the first attempt.

Payment hold is larger than expected

Tesla places a pre-authorization hold on your payment method when you start a Supercharger session. This hold can be surprisingly large and may temporarily reduce your available balance.

Symptoms

• Bank notification shows a hold of 50 to 120 EUR before charging begins
• Available balance on your debit card drops significantly
• Multiple holds appear from previous sessions that have not been released yet
• Hold amount does not match the actual charging cost

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Understand that holds are temporary

   Tesla pre-authorizes a fixed amount to ensure payment. The actual charge replaces the hold once the session is complete. The hold typically releases within 1 to 5 business days depending on your bank.

2. 2

   Use a credit card instead of a debit card

   Credit cards handle pre-authorization holds without affecting your available cash balance. Debit cards temporarily lock the held amount from your account.

3. 3

   Check the Tesla app for final session cost

   After charging, the Tesla app shows the actual amount you will be billed. This is always less than or equal to the pre-authorization hold.

4. 4

   Contact your bank if holds persist beyond 7 days

   If a hold has not been released after a week, contact your bank and provide the transaction reference from the Tesla app. Banks can manually release stale holds.

Session ends early or stops unexpectedly

Charging stops before reaching your target battery level. The car disconnects or the Supercharger stops delivering power mid-session.

Symptoms

• Charging stops at 80% even though you set a higher limit
• Session ends after a few minutes with no error message
• Car shows 'Charging interrupted' or 'Check charge cable'
• Supercharger light turns from green to red or flashing

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Check your charge limit setting

   Tesla vehicles default to an 80% charge limit. Non-Tesla vehicles have their own limit settings in the infotainment system. Verify you have set the limit above where charging stopped.

2. 2

   Reseat the cable connector

   Unplug the cable, inspect the connector and your vehicle's charge port for debris, and plug it back in firmly. A loose connection can cause the session to drop.

3. 3

   Try a different stall

   Individual Supercharger stalls can have intermittent faults. Move to another stall, preferably one that is not paired with an active session (stalls sharing a power cabinet are usually labeled with paired numbers like 1A/1B).

4. 4

   Check for idle fees

   If you reached your charge limit and did not unplug promptly, Tesla may have ended the session and started idle fees. Check the Tesla app for notifications.

5. 5

   Restart your vehicle

   For non-Tesla vehicles, turn the car off completely, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. Then plug in again. Some vehicles need a restart to clear communication errors with the Supercharger.

Reduced charging speed due to power sharing

Your charging speed is significantly lower than the station's advertised maximum. This often happens because Supercharger stalls share power with a paired stall.

Symptoms

• Charging at 60 to 80 kW at a station rated for 250 kW
• Speed dropped when another vehicle plugged in at a nearby stall
• Speed is much lower than you got at the same station previously
• One stall charges fast while the paired stall is very slow

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Move to an unpaired stall

   Tesla Supercharger stalls are paired (for example, 1A and 1B share a power cabinet). If someone is using 1A, stall 1B will be slower. Choose a stall where neither paired unit is occupied.

2. 2

   Look at the stall labels

   Paired stalls usually share a number with A/B suffixes, or are directly adjacent. At V3 Superchargers (250 kW), power sharing is less of an issue than at older V2 stations (150 kW).

3. 3

   Check your battery temperature

   Tesla vehicles precondition the battery automatically when navigating to a Supercharger. If you did not use Tesla navigation (or you drive a non-Tesla), the battery may be cold and limiting charge speed on its own.

4. 4

   Arrive with a lower state of charge

   Charging speed decreases as the battery fills. For the fastest stop, arrive between 5 and 20% if you can do so safely. The difference in charge speed between arriving at 10% versus 40% is significant.

Non-Tesla vehicle CCS2 connector issues

At Supercharger stations open to non-Tesla vehicles, the CCS2 connector may not work correctly with your car. In Europe, open Supercharger stations have native CCS2 cables, so no adapter is needed.

Symptoms

• The CCS2 connector does not lock into your vehicle's charge port
• Session starts but drops after a few seconds
• Tesla app does not recognize your vehicle after plugging in
• The connector fits but no power is delivered

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Make sure you are using the CCS2 cable, not the Tesla connector

   Open Supercharger stations in Europe have separate CCS2 cables alongside Tesla connectors, or dedicated CCS2 posts. Use the CCS2 cable for non-Tesla vehicles.

2. 2

   Push the connector in firmly until it clicks

   CCS2 connectors need a firm push to fully seat and lock. If the connector is loose, the charger cannot communicate with your vehicle.

3. 3

   Start the session through the Tesla app

   Select the correct stall number in the Tesla app and start the session. The stall number is printed on the charger post. It must match exactly.

4. 4

   Try a different stall

   Individual stalls can have faulty connectors. Move to another stall, preferably one that is not paired with an active session.

5. 5

   Check vehicle compatibility

   Not all non-Tesla vehicles work perfectly at every Supercharger station. If your vehicle repeatedly fails to connect, check Tesla's website or app for your vehicle's compatibility status.