Going Fast Is About to Get More Expensive for Some Mercedes-Benz Drivers The automaker will begin charging drivers of its electric cars a yearly subscription fee to accelerate faster.

By Madeline Garfinkle Edited by Jessica Thomas

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Courtesy of Mercedes Benz

Luxury automaker Mercedes-Benz will roll out a new line of electric cars that can go fast — at a cost.

Buyers of Mercedes' upcoming EQ all-electric models will have to pay $1,200 a year for the ability to accelerate quickly, The Drive reported. The $1,200 subscription will increase the car's max horsepower and torque and let it accelerate from 0-60 mph up to one second faster. The charge for this "Acceleration Increase" is not unlike Tesla's "Ludicrous mode," which gives drivers a boost of speed for a one-time fee of $10,000.

Related: Mercedes to Show Its Tesla-Fighting Electric Sedan in September

Mercedes and Tesla aren't the only car companies charging for features that drivers have long considered standard in traditional, gas-fueled vehicles. In July, BMW began charging owners of its electric cars $18 a month for heated seats, which was met with outrage from customers, according to the New York Post. The response eventually prompted BMW to release a statement clarifying its decision but assuring drivers that the new charge is here to stay.

Although customers might be upset about the charges, they could be the new norm in the automotive sector as automakers troubleshoot different systems in a changing market. As the market for new vehicles has declined in recent years, automakers have shifted their focus to developing software and subscriptions to build a continuous revenue stream, according to The Verge.

Regarding Mercedes' recent subscription package, some drivers are as resentful as BMW owners were just a few months ago, with one Twitter user saying the update is "ripping people off."

Related: Mercedes Unveils First Heavy-Duty Electric Delivery Truck
Madeline Garfinkle

News Writer

Madeline Garfinkle is a News Writer at Entrepreneur.com. She is a graduate from Syracuse University, and received an MFA from Columbia University. 

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