Mode 2 and 3 cable charging

[Ham_and_Jam]

I’ve got a new Hybrid coming in June. Merc E300e.

I was hoping to use a nearby charging station when away from home, but my understanding on charging types / cables is non existent.

So the car has an onboard AC charger to 11kw and a DC charger to 55kw. It also comes with a mode 3 charging cable (and a granny charger).

The charging station is a 7kw with a mode 2 cable.

Will that work on this car?

From the brochure-

[RobbyJ]

Yes it will work. Strange language Merc use there.

Generally we call them a Type 2 cable for AC charging, 7-22KW and CCS for DC fast charging.

[Ham_and_Jam]

said:

Must admit, I’m a complete newbie to EVs and don’t understand the vocabulary yet.

Fortunately it’s a hybrid so have the ICE to fall back on if it goes tits up.

So, in terms of the cable, does the mode 2 and mode 3 have the same connection type to the car. Similarly when using a fast DC charger?

Edit - seen your post. So mode 2 and 3 is a Type 2 cable?

[RobbyJ]

I'm doubting myself now, just googled a type 3 cable and never seen the like in all my EV travels!? All my googling of your cars charge port just shows a standard CCS connector or type 2 depending on age, of which the top bit is where you plug your AC type 2 cable into and DC uses the whole connector.


this is an E300e with type 2.

[Mark V GTD]

Pic above is just Type 2 and doesn't have the extra port below for a CCS plug.

[RobbyJ]

Mark V GTD said:

Pic above is just Type 2 and doesn't have the extra port below for a CCS plug.

Last line under the picture......

[Mark V GTD]

Lol didn't see that cunningly hiding at the bottom!

[RobbyJ]

Mark V GTD said:

Lol didn't see that cunningly hiding at the bottom!

[essayer]

The way that’s worded, I’d be surprised if it charges at 7kW on a typical home wallbox (“Type 2 AC”). I think it will charge at half that rate.

(Geek: 11kW charging usually means three phases on a 16A cable, and one phase of 16A is 3.7kW)

Public AC chargers (Tesco 22kW posts, BP Pulse etc) will be three phase and likely work at 11kW

I would ask Mercedes for confirmation if it’s important.

[Ham_and_Jam]

RobbyJ said:

I'm doubting myself now, just googled a type 3 cable and never seen the like in all my EV travels!? All my googling of your cars charge port just shows a standard CCS connector or type 2 depending on age, of which the top bit is where you plug your AC type 2 cable into and DC uses the whole connector.


this is an E300e with type 2.

My latest understanding is it’s mode 3 not type 3, which Googling suggests-

‘Mode 3 relies on a dedicated charging station equipped with a Type 2 (Mennekes) connector. This mode offers faster charging speeds and a higher level of safety compared to Mode 2’.

The charging station I want to use is a type 2 untethered 7kw. Data from ZapMap -



So if I take my own type 2 (mode 3) cable that is supplied with the car and connect, will it work?

[lesR]

The picture shows a type 2 plug socket. Mode 2 is different.

Mode 2 and mode 3 describes how the car is charged. Mode 2 is using the 13 amp cable with a 3 pin uk plug, known as a granny lead.

Mode 3 is when using the other supplied cable that fits into a wall box or charging station. This cable is not always used as the wall box / charging station may have its own attached cable (tethered or un tethered).

[lesR]

Just re-read the original post where it mentions dc charging.

Unless there is another another socket positioned on the car it will not dc charge as the type 2 socket only uses ac to charge.

Mercedes do use what they call a Combo 2 vehicle socket which does have a dc port under the ac socket (combined in plug). Not sure if it comes on some uk cars. My CLA 250e Shooting Brake does not have it.

[JD]

RobbyJ said:

I'm doubting myself now, just googled a type 3 cable and never seen the like in all my EV travels!? All my googling of your cars charge port just shows a standard CCS connector or type 2 depending on age, of which the top bit is where you plug your AC type 2 cable into and DC uses the whole connector.


this is an E300e with type 2.

That's the old model. New one has CCS under a flap opposite the fuel tank flap.

[JD]

Ham_and_Jam said:

So if I take my own type 2 (mode 3) cable that is supplied with the car and connect, will it work?

Yes.

[Ham_and_Jam]

JD said:

That's the old model. New one has CCS under a flap opposite the fuel tank flap.

I was wondering that. I was told the new E300e has been upgraded with new battery tech.

[Ham_and_Jam]

JD said:

Ham_and_Jam said:

So if I take my own type 2 (mode 3) cable that is supplied with the car and connect, will it work?

Yes.

Brilliant. Thanks for confirming

Does a DC fast charger plug straight into the same socket on the car?

[gmaz]

Ham_and_Jam said:

JD said:

Ham_and_Jam said:

So if I take my own type 2 (mode 3) cable that is supplied with the car and connect, will it work?

Yes.

Brilliant. Thanks for confirming

Does a DC fast charger plug straight into the same socket on the car?

No, a DC charger socket will look like this with the 2 DC pins below the existing type 2 socket. This is called a CCS2

[Ham_and_Jam]

gmaz said:

No, a DC charger socket will look like this with the 2 DC pins below the existing type 2 socket. This is called a CCS2

Thanks for that.

My mind is at ease now. It’s a whole new world to me!

[ZesPak]

Does Mercedes really allow to charge a 13.5kWh battery at 55kw?

That's over 4C

[Ham_and_Jam]

ZesPak said:

Does Mercedes really allow to charge a 13.5kWh battery at 55kw?

That's over 4C

It’s a 19.5kwh battery. New model.