The EQC also features a 7.4 kW on board AC charger. This power level is considered as a cost/space optimum, but a 11 kW should appear on the configurator in the near future. The 22 kW charger available optionally on the Audi e-tron is deemed superfluous by the folks in Stuttgart.

Speaking of Audi, Mercedes is far less aggressive when it comes to charging power. Where Audi claims to maintain 150 kW up to 70%, Mercedes limits power to 110 kW (the pack is in effect only 10% smaller), and sustains this power level only up to around 50% of battery capacity, depending on temperature readings, then winds down progressively.

Mercedes has a battery pre-conditioning function which activates if the destination in the satnav system is a charging station. The EQC then ensures that the battery is in the optimum temperature range at destination (between 25 and 30 degC) to allow peak power. The downside of this strategy is that, if the charging station is not programmed or not available in the satnav directory, no pre-conditioning happens.