Polar, the UK’s largest public charging system and owned by BP Chargemaster, is now part of the Mercedes-Benz charging network, me Charge. WhichEV investigates the partnership.
Me Charge is included with Mercedes’s first fully electric SUV, the EQC. Customers are provided with open access to both Polar’s and other charging systems including Ionity’s through a single subscription. The standard subscription is three years long, but costumers can upgrade their basic option to get access to Polar Plus, offering the driver lower electricity tariffs compared to the basic plan, with the first six months’ membership free.
Jason Allbutt, Head of Product Management Mercedes-Benz Cars UK, said: “With the launch of our first EQ SUV, it was important to help consumers with public charging accessibility.”
The EQC system measures distance and directs the drivers to the closest me Charge stations, considering the residual electric range. Drivers can access charging points with Mercedes me Charge card, the car’s media display or the Mercedes me App.
All network electricity managements provided by Polar are certified as 100% renewable by the Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origin. BP Chargemaster is also Mercedes cars’ UK chosen affiliate for home charging wall boxes, qualified for the EV Homecharge Scheme grant by the government.
Matteo de Renzi, CEO of BP Chargemaster, said: “BP Chargemaster’s partnership with Mercedes-Benz means customers can charge their EQCs via convenient charging locations across the UK, and increasingly at ultra-fast speeds.”