How to navigate EV charging and parking in Czechia like a pro

It’s no secret that parking – let alone finding a charging station for your car – can be an absolute nightmare in Prague. Demand far outpaces capacity when it comes to street parking, and after you find a spot, you must then consider what zone you are in, whether you need a permit or can pay by the hour.

The same confounding questions apply to charging stations: Where are they located? Which ones can you use? Will your credit card be accepted? 

Needless to say, navigating this “jungle” can be very confusing and frustrating for many drivers. But it doesn’t have to be. Mercedes-Benz can simplify the parking and charging jungle for you, not just in Prague but in any city in the Czech Republic and across Europe.  

The MB.CHARGE Public app offers easy and convenient access to more than 6,000 public charging stations across the country. It does not matter which operator the charging point is officially run by. If you have MB.CHARGE, you can essentially use any station at a fixed price. It’s transparent, user-friendly, and convenient for those on the go.

With MB.CHARGE Public – introduced in mid-March to replace Mercedes me Charge – Mercedes-Benz has integrated all digital charging solutions and seamlessly connected them with the operating system of its electric vehicles. For instance, the app will let you know where the closest charging station is and pay for you.

It can also help you find a parking spot. With Mercedes’ built-in technology, your car always knows where it is located and which areas offer parking. Just pull in, turn off your engine, get out, and lock your door. Mercedes pay+ will pay the parking fee for you directly through the MBUX infotainment – no more worries about parking zones or tracking down a payment machine.      

Mercedes is setting the benchmark in these innovative side services. Nowadays, it’s not about how big your engine is or if your car has cushy leather seats. Instead, what’s most important to drivers are services that will streamline their experience on the road.   

With Mercedes, you are not just buying the car; you are also buying these luxury benchmark services and exclusive features, like a built-in security camera that will automatically start taking photos if someone touches your car. 

In another step towards a seamless digital customer experience, Mercedes-Benz recently introduced a popular app for the Apple Watch. Drivers can now interact with their vehicles without having to locate their smartphones. Key features include the ability to check the vehicle’s range based on its current location and the battery or fuel level. The app can also pinpoint your vehicle’s location, lock or unlock the vehicle remotely, and check that the windows are properly closed.     

Cementing its dominance in the electric car market, Mercedes recently added the Mercedes-Benz CLA to its fleet. The new model takes the key features of a standard Mercedes car to the next level, offering drivers more space, refinement, comfort, innovation, and efficiency. 

With remarkably low consumption and an impressive range, the CLA is taking electric mobility in everyday life to a new level. The 800-volt electric architecture makes charging almost as fast as refueling. The 800-volt system can significantly reduce charging time in conjunction with the new battery generation. The CLA 250+ with EQ Technology can be recharged to a range of up to 325 km within 10 minutes.

The CLA is the first vehicle to operate on the in-house fully developed Mercedes‑Benz Operating System (MB.OS), making it the most intelligent Mercedes-Benz ever. 

MB.OS is the brain of the new CLA and marks the start of the fourth MBUX generation. It opens up a new world of personalized experiences and intuitive interaction between driver and car, setting new standards in the automotive industry. For the first time, drivers can expect over-the-air updates of the entire vehicle software, including driving assistance systems. 

The CLA’s optional floating MBUX Superscreen extends across the entire interior width and is powered by state-of-the-art high-performance chips and real-time graphics. 

Thanks to generative AI from Google and Microsoft, the new MBUX Virtual Assistant is well-versed in navigation-related questions. It can access information from Google Maps to provide users with detailed and personalized answers to questions about navigation, points of interest, charging stations, and much more. Integrated visual communication also reaches a new dimension with MBUX Surround Navigation.

The new CLA models in Europe have extensive safety features. Mercedes bundles additional comfort assistance systems under the name MB.DRIVE. It complements Distance Assist DISTRONIC with Steering Assist. New in the CLA is Lane Change Assist, which facilitates lane changes with a simple click of the indicator lever. 

After making its global debut, the all-new Mercedes-Benz CLA is set for its exclusive Czech premiere at this year’s Mercedes-Benz Prague Fashion Week (MBPFW). Taking place at SaSaZu in Prague, the event promises not only dazzling fashion but also the chance to experience this highly anticipated model in person before its summer release.

A specially designed CLA Studio will be set up in front of SaSaZu, offering attendees a unique opportunity to get an up-close look at the CLA. The studio will be open to the public on April 26 and 27 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. providing a sneak peek of Mercedes-Benz’s most innovative and luxurious vehicle.

“Mercedes-Benz and high-end fashion share values like individuality, luxury, craftsmanship, and sustainability,” says Alexander Henzler, Head of Mercedes-Benz Central & Eastern Europe.

Henzler goes on to say, "Whether electric or hybrid, the CLA is flexible to individual needs and equipped with cutting-edge drivetrain technology and fast-charging architecture. We’re excited to celebrate this exclusive moment and showcase the new era of Mercedes-Benz."