Mercedes’ new EV innovation is a paywall on your car’s performance

Tesla isn't the only car brand asking you to pay extra to unlock existing features in your car.As The Barge Observations show that Mercedes has introduced a $1,200-a-year "acceleration increase" subscription that improves EQE and EQS performance in its standard sedan and SUV variants. Paying the annual fee will improve your 0-60MPH time by 0.8 seconds to 1 second thanks to higher peak motor power and increased torque. Mercedes explains that this is strictly a software change. In other words, you're paying for performance that the car can already handle. It's better value than BMW's $18/month seat heaters, but it's an odd move when these cars are already expensive and have fast models that are a one-time expense. Why buy his EQS 450 with the acceleration add-on when the EQS 580 is faster and gives you more critter comfort. German automakers aren't the first to charge extra for extra performance. Tesla has long asked its customers to offer cutting-edge driver assistance. For a while, Model S entry buyers were also charged a premium for unlocking battery capacity. And if you're more into motorcycles, Zero will ask around $1,800 to maximize the power of his 2022 SR. The difference, of course, is that it's a one-time purchase that Mercedes wants to keep paying for for the life of the car. Our business strategy is clear. Similar to the tech world's general shift towards subscription services, Mercedes wants a steady stream of revenue from customers who might otherwise spend little beyond their initial purchase. increase. Increased acceleration is a clear advantage over regular navigation updates and maintenance. However, unlike them, there are no recurring costs that help justify the existence of power boosts.