Mercedes-Benz of Lafayette’s Guide to Electric Vehicles

Charging Your EV: The Basics

There are three ways you can charge your EV: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 Charging:

• Level 1 Charging. This is the most simplistic method of EV charging that’s done at home and consists of hooking up your EV to an outlet via a 110/120V charging cable, which usually comes with an EV purchase. Level 1 is the slowest method of charging, and takes anywhere from 24 to 50 hours for a full charge.
• Level 2 Charging. Using 240V+ chargers, Level 2 charging can give you 60 to 200 miles of electric range in only 20 to 30 minutes. This type of charging station requires installation by an electrician, but it’s far more convenient than Level 1 Charging.
• Level 3 Charging. Your typical public charging station in Broussard uses Level 3 charging, also known as “Quick Charging.” As you might have already guessed, this is the fastest charging method out of the three, but cannot be installed at home. These charging stations can get you 200 to 300 miles of range in 30 to 40 minutes.

To make your life easier, we highly recommend that you install a Level 2 Charging station within your garage. This is because Level 1 charging is inefficient, and Level 3 charging is rather inconvenient, and not always reliable.

Where to Find Charging Stations

To locate charging stations around New Iberia, you can also use the convenient Mercedes me connect app or the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system that’s found on your MBZ EV. Both the app and MBUX let you filter stations by charging speed and even Plug & Charge functionality. The Mercedes Me app also allows you to pay for charging at 60,000+ charging stations across the nation after you register through ChargePoint and enter your preferred payment method within the app. For any questions regarding MBUX or the Mercedes Me app, don’t hesitate to contact or call us at (337) 769-4635.

EVs and Regular Maintenance

Since they have few moving parts, one great perk that comes with purchasing an EV is the low maintenance costs. While EVs require far less maintenance than vehicles with internal combustion engines, there are still some things you need to keep tabs on to ensure the functionality of your EV. This includes:

• Batteries. EV batteries last a LONG time and last between 12 to 15 years. Though, that doesn’t guarantee that your battery will last long. Your driving habits can shorten the lifespan of your EV battery. Keeping your EV out of extreme temperatures, limiting your use of rapid charging stations, and only charging your vehicle to 85 to 90 percent instead of fully charging it are ways to maintain the longevity of your EV Battery.
• Brakes. Just like traditional vehicles, EV owners still need to inspect their brakes regularly, specifically brake fluids and brake pads. It’s recommended to replace brake fluid on an annual basis. Brake pads on EVs last longer than their gasoline counterparts, but these still should be replaced every 5 years. Consult your owner’s manual for more specific intervals.
• Coolant. Coolant in EVs lasts far longer than coolant for traditional vehicles and works to cool the EV’s battery and electric motors. Not all EVs use coolant, as some use air cooling instead, but a good chunk of EVs do use coolant. How often you need to change coolant depends on the EV, but it’s recommended to change coolant every 50,000 to 150,000 miles. Again, consult your owner’s manual for information on your vehicle’s coolant.
• Tires. This doesn’t change for EVs: they wear out over time and eventually have to be replaced. You should still aim to have your EV’s tires inspected on a regular basis.

Have any EV service-related questions? Contact our service team.

Shop For Your Next EV at Mercedes-Benz of Lafayette

Ready to make the jump to electric? Shop our new inventory of electric vehicles in Lafayette! To schedule a test drive at our dealership, contact us or give us a call at (337) 769-4635.