Mercedes EQC EV Charging Cable

A rare case where the upgrade changed nothing for UK owners

Mercedes replaced the EQC's onboard charger in November 2020, going from a 7.4 kW single phase unit to an 11 kW three phase one. On the face of it that is a fifty per cent improvement. At a British house it is worth nothing at all.

The reason is that both arrive at the same place by different routes. The early car is single phase and 7.4 kW is its entire rating, so a home supply delivers all of it. The later car is three phase and 7.4 kW is what a single phase can carry out of its 11. So whichever EQC you have, the answer is 7.4 kW and a 32A cable. Spending more on the lead changes nothing, as the car sets the rate.

How long a full charge takes

The calculation is the battery over the delivered kW, uplifted 13 per cent for charging losses, quarter hour rounded. Miles per hour is worked at a conservative 3.5 miles per kWh. Both builds share an 80 kWh usable pack from an 85 kWh gross one, for 255 to 259 miles WLTP. Mercedes quoted eleven hours before the upgrade and seven and a half after, but that second figure is a three phase number; on one phase it is about twelve and a quarter.

DC rapid charging is 112 kW on both builds, with a 10 to 80 per cent stop of about 36 minutes.

Which length for an EQC

The inlet sits on the rear offside, the right hand side of the body, in the same place Mercedes uses on the EQA.

The EQC is 4.77 metres and a wide car with it. Reverse in with the charge point on the right and 5 metres works. Nose in, or a wall box on the left, and the lead goes round most of five metres of car, so 10 metres. The honest way to choose is to measure the real parking position and allow two metres spare.

How these cables are built

Built to IEC 62196-2 and CE marked, with an IP55 rating that covers rain and dust on an exposed driveway, and a working range of -30C to +50C.

The three pin cable is built to IEC 62752, CE marked, sealed to IP67 and rated from -30C to +60C. Two year warranty from the manufacturer, free next day delivery in the UK, 30 day returns.

Looking at another Mercedes? Start with the Mercedes EQA EV Charging Cable, or browse every model in Mercedes charging cables. For a wall box or public post the lead is the Type 2 to Type 2 charging cable.

Mercedes EQC charging cable questions

What cable does an EQC need?

A 32A Type 2 to Type 2 cable, whichever build you have. Both draw 7.4 kW from a British single phase supply.

Did the November 2020 charger upgrade help?

Only where three phases are available, such as a workplace. At home both the 7.4 kW single phase car and the 11 kW three phase car charge at 7.4 kW.

How long does an EQC take to charge?

About twelve and a quarter hours from empty at 7.4 kW on the 80 kWh usable pack. Mercedes's seven and a half hour figure is for an 11 kW three phase supply.

Where does the EQC plug in?

The rear offside, on the right of the body, which is the driver's side on a UK car.